Last week we covered the basics of your niche notebook. This week is when things get personal.
Every niche is different…so different that you’ll probably want to track a few things on your own. These are going to be the points that really set you apart and establish you as a genuine insider who can provide real value to (and demand higher rates from) your clients.
Think of things like…
Conferences/Events
Pretty much every niche has conferences, but they’re all a little different.
They might be super useful to your skillset, or not at all. They might attract a ton of potential to network with new clients or be a complete waste of your time. Search for your niche
and events or conferences and start making a list to find out what they mean for you.
Agencies
This is a big one for writers, designers, voice-over artists, social media pros, and any type of content creator.
Agencies that are niche specific are always looking for specialized contacts. (Bonus for you, they can be the key to steady income and clients without all the project management work.) If you haven’t started keeping a list of niche-specific agencies, it might be time.
Areas of Growth
Niches are always shifting and changing. What’s booming in one could be on the way out in another. Keep note of what’s growing
in your field and look for ways to align your work with it.
Other Freelancers
I never thought I’d say this, but I love my coworkers. They’re not the traditional kind, but the other freelancers and indie professionals who are working in my niche have changed my career in ways I never thought possible. If you aren’t keeping a list of yours, you’re probably missing out.
If you don’t have an idea of what categories you might need to expand your notebook right now, that’s
fine. Over time, as you get more clients and they bring up more ideas and challenges, you’ll find plenty to flesh it out.
Megan
Here are the resources that you’ll want to check out this month…