Writing Without a Niche — A Guide For Beginner Writers (Blogging in?2023)

Writing for everyone is like writing for no one.?

You must have heard this before and wondered if niching down is necessary. And if it is, does it have to be at the beginning or later on?

Suppose you’re starting out as a blogger, content writer, or copywriter. In that case, it’s better to write on a variety of topics and industries to determine which one is your area of interest and whether you would like to become an expert in that particular field.?

You might have felt the pressure to choose a specific niche, thinking that it will restrict you to a certain topic.

Well, let me tell you — that is certainly not true. Positioning yourself as a specialist or expert in a particular niche actually attracts your ideal clients who are more often than not, looking for industry expert writers.?

But what if you want to write about a variety of topics, without the so-called “restriction” of a specific niche??

Broad versus Narrow Niche — Or?None…

As a beginner, especially for those who are not sure at all and have become overwhelmed by all the options, write without a niche. From this, you will still have a portfolio to work with and soon you will be learning what you want to gear more towards. This is trial and error but it ensures confidence in the long run.

Yes, starting without a specific niche can be challenging. If you don’t have a clear focus, it can be difficult to attract and retain a loyal following. You’re essentially experimenting. But by doing it this way, you can double down on what works.

However, if you have a better idea of what realm you want to write in, you should consider broad niches. For example, the business niche is very broad with sub-niches such as marketing, finance, etc. Within marketing and finance are additional sub-niches (digital marketing, personal finance, etc.). You don’t have to narrow down your niche right away.

In fact, starting out by writing in niches that are too narrow doesn’t usually set you up for success. For one, it would be harder to find clients if your niche is too narrow or too specific. And you might run out of ideas or become bored — this is when niching down can feel restrictive.

If you’re interested or experienced in finance, start by writing about any topic related to finance. After a while, you’ll notice which topics in finance (sub-niches) you’d like to focus on and position yourself as an expert in.

Eventually, choosing a niche and target audience, and being able to market yourself as a writer in that field will help you stand out against the crowd of generalist writers.

What Type of Content Will You?Write?

What type of content you write depends on your current skill set, what you’re willing to learn, and the purpose or goal that you want to achieve.

Is it for your own brand, as a hobby, to showcase your work when applying for jobs, or is it to attract and land your own clients as a freelancer?

Blog posts, articles, SEO content, ebooks, whitepapers, sales pages, email sequences, add copy, social media copy/captions, product descriptions, web content, scripts, press releases, etc.?

When it comes to the type of content or copy you will be writing, it’s best to choose 1–3 at a time to master and upskill in. That way, you can potentially offer them as your specialties/services with more confidence.

Whatever you choose should tie your work altogether and showcase your personal brand (who you are, what you do, what your purpose is, who you serve, your perspective, writing style, tone, or maybe it’s a certain theme or aesthetic).?

You will most likely not figure all of this out and that’s okay. The process is what makes it more clear over time.?

That’s why the most important thing to do is just start. The niche is not important now.

?As you’re writing, you will find your way toward it or maybe you’ll find that you can write just about anything. That, too, is a skill in and of itself.

Think You Know Your?Niche?

If you are pretty certain of your niche without feeling the need to try out a few others, just make sure you don’t narrow it down too much. Again, as a beginner, I recommend starting off a little more broadly.?

The health niche is broad but if you start with it and expand into different sub-niches, at least you’ll still be able to position yourself as a health writer or blogger — content that is related to health. Maybe down the line, you’ll shift to mostly writing about mental health, physical health/fitness, holistic health, or healthcare.?

This is a much better strategy if you can figure out even a vague idea of what your interests are and what you’re willing to learn more about.

• List any knowledge, skills, and past work or life experiences you’ve had.
• What do you talk about with friends and family? What are you known to talk or debate about??
• What are some things that you’ve always been curious about or have wanted to learn more about?
• Who do you want to reach with your blog, content, or copy??
• Who is your ideal or target audience? Who are you speaking to? What concerns or problems are you addressing?

No matter what direction you decide to take when it comes to writing online, remember to be authentic. Readers catch on if you’re not genuine or trying to sound like someone else. You can take inspiration from other writers until you find your own voice without copying. To build a loyal following and keep your readers engaged, to keep your clients coming back for more work from you, or to land your next job… authenticity, consistency, and taking pride in your work are key.

What do you think? Did you start out with or without a niche and how did that help you progress? I would love to hear your your thoughts and comments!