Adventures in NicheCraft

If I could only pass along one set of tools to the next generation of entrepreneurial creators, it would be NicheCraft.

That’s my term for the process of identifying, understanding, and generously serving hyper-specific niche audiences.

Reliable shortcuts are a rare thing in life. Most often, we waste time looking for them.

But for creators of all stripes—writers, YouTubers, filmmakers, musicians, etc—niching down reduces the distance between wherever you are today, and earning a living from creative work you care about.

In our overwhelming, hyper-saturated media ecosystem, NicheCraft is how you become signal in the noise. It’s how you make things that genuinely matter to internet strangers.

If your goal is to build a 1,000 True Fans style business, I know of no more reliable, trustworthy of a toolset to make it happen.

Now, the art of NicheCraft has many moving parts. This isn't something you'll learn quickly. I've been at it for years, and I'm still picking up new distinctions and lessons every day. It's been a journey of a lifetime for me, and I suspect it will be for you as well.

Think of this page as an ever-expanding “hub” for all things NicheCraft. Below, you’ll find a series of articles and resources, each touching on some piece of the process. As I write more, they’ll get added here.

Enjoy!

NicheCraft Fundamentals

First up, we should probably talk about what a "niche" is. There are SO many misconceptions and unhelpful definitions of this word floating around the creator space. It goes without saying, but we can't effectively practice NicheCraft until we're crystal clear on what a niche is. So let's start there.

Next up, here's an overview of the five components of NicheCraft.

Next up, an explainer on what I really mean when I say "find your niche." Usually, this is a shallow, throwaway piece of advice, kind of like "follow your passion." But if you care about building an indie business, this advice is essential, and it's quite a bit more compelling than it seems on the surface.

And finally, we come to the most comprehensive article on the internet for identifying the perfect niche for your creative work. This is the full process I teach in my course, laid out from start to finish.

Understanding Your Niche

If your goal is to create meaningful, resonant content, and make offers that your fans can't wait to purchase, you need to understand your niche. Inside and out. You need to understand what your people do, how they think and feel, and how they see the world. Audience Mapping is a process I've designed for sussing out and organizing these kinds of invaluable insights.