You Skinny Niche! Part 2: Finding the sweet spot

I had a couple of people express interest in finding their niche after my first skinny niche post, yay! To me, finding your niche is more like finding that sweet spot where what's inside matches what you put out as much as possible. It isn't just about your art or product, it's about the images you use, descriptions, everything. So let's get to it and enjoy the amazing shops who I think have found the sweet spot (click on the images or shop names to visit)!

sustainable wallet by rikrak

Some people are fortunate to just know what their focus is. Others are fortunate to have multiple abilities and passions or be what some called "multipotentialed". Whichever fits you best, I think a few questions can help guide you in your right direction:

Ballerina Girl Dress by whitejupiterdreams

Who am I? This is so important because almost all of the good marketing advice you get will tell you that you can't be all things to all people and that's ok. It's worth it to ask and reask this question. As it becomes clearer imagine the weight of trying to please everyone roll off, while your actual audience cheers you on! Check out olivebites, not only does she give kick butt adivce, but I feel like she really is who she is and I appreciate that!

Candy Earrings (I'm wearing these now, well not *these*, but you know...) by hollygems

What am I trying to communicate? Does what I make and how I present it feel consistent with that? If not keep tweaking. My friend Carolyn has a wonderful blog that shows the work she's putting in to getting her photography where she wants it. (I happen to think it's already amazing and needs no improvement.) I love reading her blog to be inspired to not to give up!

Who are my favorites? Check out your favorites online, magazines, wherever...what are you drawn to? What does your favorites say about you? You don't have to emulate them, but they can give you cluse as to what you value and how to project your unique voice. I strongly suggest you spend a lot of time reading Etsy Success. In the Business section of the forums and the Storque blog, you'll find a crazy amount of helpful info.

OK good people! I hope this is helpful to you! I've had fun :)

Have a great weekend! *love and niche-y hugs* Jen

You skinny niche!

Sorry, I couldn't help it! On the self-improvement front, I've been working on losing a few pounds and making my business what I dream, hence the title!

Homemade cupcakes by yours truly! (Don't judge me since I did say I was dropping pounds, lol!)

I was thinking about why it's good to choose a niche, at least when starting out. (My husband saying it for like a year didn't hurt!) I hope this is helpful if you're like me and love/are pretty good at doing a bit of everything and want to see your creative business grow:

1) It's economical. Imagine you have $100 to spend on supplies. That cash in a more focused shop could go a long way toward more supplies to build your inventory. In a more scattered shop, bits go here and there, but overall you have less options for a potential buyer of a certain item.

2) A niche gives you a chance to be known for and even a trusted expert in something. From whom do you buy your socks, house paint, or favorite ethnic food? My guess is that for each item it's someplace different (imagine buying socks, paint, and perfect samosas in the same place...)

3) A niche isn't a prison sentence. Within each niche there is a huge range of possibilities. Maybe you paint and sell your originals, you might also add prints, magnets and other objects featuring your art or style...I'd say that that falls into your niche...since I said it, it's so :-D

4) Not to get all yoga-y or anything (though I do love yoga) Before you pounce on the next thing that looks so fun to do, breathe and quiet yourself. Check in with your core to make sure that it's something that really feels right and something you won't regret putting out there as a product offering. There's nothing worse than putting something out there that you'd never want to do again. I have a few butt bruises from kicking myself for not doing this so I swear by it now.

5) Before I got more focused, telling people I did "this and that" was a HUGE conversation killer. It wasn't lack of interest, people just don't know what they should say next. Now that I say "I knit and crochet handmade accessories." even someone who isn't in the market right now gives and emphatic "Oh! I'm going to have to check out your stuff when it gets cold", maybe one day they really will buy or tell a friend who's looking.

OK, five seems like plenty, right? Next time, I'll post on deciding your niche when you can do lots of things because this post is getting long! It's taken me a whole year of processing where I see myself going, so if I can make it easier for you, I will do that!

*love and hugs* Jen