Find Your Writing Niche

I sat in front of my computer, staring at the blank document.

A war raged in my mind between who I needed to write for and who I wanted to write for.

As someone who has deconstructed and reconstructed her faith, I desperately wanted to write to those who had hurt me, spiritually abused me, and led me astray with faulty theology. I wanted to meticulously break down all the ways they had damaged me so they would stop doing it to others.

I had a plan. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I was determined to make a difference.

But amidst my determination, God’s still, small voice kept urging me to be still and listen.

I resisted.

I had my own agenda and couldn't understand why God wasn’t cheering me on. After all, I was going to fix all the problems in the church.

I started writing, determined to explain all the ways they needed to change.

Then I got on social media.

I read post after post from the very people I wanted to address. Their words were hateful, harmful, and discouraging. The rebellious part of me thought I could fix them; the realistic part of me realized I couldn’t.

As frustration set in, I had a revelation: these were not my people.

I was meant to write for others who had been hurt the same way I had.

Despite months of resistance, I finally acknowledged the truth: this was my niche.

Common Concerns About Niching Down

When I talk to writers about niching down, I often hear these concerns:

1. "My message is for everyone."

Let’s get honest for a minute. Is your message really for everyone, or is it for a specific group of people you can serve effectively? Even the most successful Christian authors have a niche:

• Max Lucado writes for adult evangelical Christians.

• Rick Warren addresses adults struggling with fiscal responsibility.

• Lysa TerKeurst writes for Christian women dealing with boundaries, forgiveness, and moving forward.

Each of them has a clearly defined audience. Do you?

2. "I don't want to niche myself into a corner."

Think about this: if my dad had heart disease, I wouldn't send him to a dermatologist. Readers trust experts in their fields. By choosing a niche, you position yourself as an authority who can serve your audience well. Specializing allows you to focus your time and energy on what you know best.

3. "I want to write about everything for everyone."

For years, I believed I had to do it all. But trying to do everything means doing nothing well. Writing is no different. When you try to cover too much, your content becomes diluted. Focusing on a niche allows you to create meaningful, impactful content that truly resonates.

Why Niching Down Matters

As writers, our goal is to serve our readers, help them grow, and challenge their thinking.

But we can’t do that effectively unless we tailor our content to them. To do that, we need a clear picture of who our readers are.

Your Next Step: Commit to Your Audience

If you haven’t yet defined your audience, I encourage you to commit today.

Think about all the books you want to write. Which one stands out the most? Which one would you grab off the shelf first?

That’s your starting point. That’s your audience.

For me, I write to survivors of church hurt, spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. In my coaching life, I write for authors embracing their calling.

What about you?

Who are you going to write for?

P.S. I still have a few spots left in my February Social Media Mastermind. Learn more and sign up here: https://kristenneighbarger.com/february.