How To Choose The Perfect Writing Niche(5 Easy Steps For New Freelance Writers)

Just a Niche Can Make You Rich, So Know What You Wish For.

It took me more than three years to find my writing niche. Fast forward to 2024, I now have a primary focus, thanks to the strategies in GPTW. I still accept gigs and write for other niches too but that's only when I'm not occupied with my primary duty.

During all those years as a generalist writer, I realized I would often get burnt out due to the heavy workload. In the end, I either failed to meet deadlines or delivered subpar work.

Know this—clients interact more with and trust subject matter experts. Having a niche will focus your attention in one place, helping you think more clearly and produce higher-quality work.

So, you're ready to pick a writing niche, but you're not quite sure where to start? I get it—it’s a big decision, and it can feel a bit overwhelming.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let's break it down together, step by step.

1. What Do You Actually Like?

First things first—what do you enjoy writing about? It’s tempting to jump into a niche because it seems profitable, but if you don’t have any interest in the topic, it’ll quickly feel like a chore.

Take some time to think about what subjects excite you. What could you write about for hours without getting bored? That’s where you should start.

For example, if you are a food lover, you will definitely have a favourite food. Why not start with writing about the process of making it. Food writing is a good niche, and writers are earning thousands of dollars yearly by drafting content for food and nutritional publications and magazines.

2. Is There a Demand for It?

Now, let’s get practical. Even if you love a particular topic, you need to make sure there’s a demand for it.

Do a quick search on job boards or freelance platforms—are there enough opportunities in that niche? If people are hiring writers for it, you’re on the right track.

3. Who Else Is Out There?

Here’s where you get to play detective. Take a look at what other writers in your potential niche are doing.

What are they writing about? How are they positioning themselves? This isn’t about copying them; it’s about figuring out how you can do it differently. Maybe there’s a gap they’re not covering, or a unique angle you can bring to the table.

4. Test the Waters

Before you commit, try writing in a few different niches. Think of it like sampling a buffet—taste a little bit of everything before you fill your plate.

This will help you see what you enjoy writing about the most and where your strengths lie.

5. Think Long-Term

Lastly, consider whether your chosen niche has staying power. Trends come and go, but you want to build a career that lasts.

Is this a niche that will continue to interest you in the future? Will it still be relevant in a few years? Make sure your choice is something you can grow with over time.

?? PRO TIP: The best niche is one where your passion meets market demand. Take your time, do your research, and you’ll find the right fit.

To help you find and excel in your writing niche, several SaaS tools can streamline the process, enhance productivity, and improve your content quality.

Here are a few that could be beneficial:

• Google Trends: Helps you research trending topics and keywords in your potential niche. You can see what people are searching for and how interest in various topics changes over time.

• SEMrush: A powerful tool for keyword research, competition analysis, and understanding market demand in different niches. It also provides insights into what other writers in your chosen niche are doing.

• Ahrefs: Ideal for backlink analysis, keyword research, and monitoring competitors. It can help you identify gaps in your chosen niche that you can capitalize on.

• Grammarly: Ensures your writing is clear, error-free, and engaging. It’s especially useful when you’re writing in a niche that requires technical precision and professionalism.

• Trello or Asana: Project management tools that help you organize your writing tasks, manage deadlines, and keep track of different projects if you're exploring multiple niches.

• BuzzSumo: Allows you to see what content is performing well in your niche by showing the most shared content across social platforms. This can give you inspiration and direction for your own writing.

• Surfer SEO: Helps you optimize your content for search engines by analyzing the top-ranking pages for your targeted keywords. This tool ensures your content aligns with SEO best practices in your niche.

• Clearbit: Assists in finding potential clients within your niche by providing detailed data on companies, industries, and decision-makers.

• Notion: A versatile tool for organizing research, ideas, and drafts. You can create dedicated spaces for each niche you're exploring to keep everything tidy and accessible.

• ContentStudio: Helps with content discovery and social media management, allowing you to find trending topics in your niche and schedule posts to engage your audience effectively.

Using these tools can help you streamline your niche selection process, ensure your content is well-researched and polished, and ultimately position you as a subject matter expert in your chosen area.