If I Have to Have a Niche… it’s Lifestyle

what I’m noticing on Instagram

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

I’ve noticed something strange on my Instagram lately…

People are often interested in more than what drew them in.

When I started my Instagram, my goal was to only show creative journaling pages. I had recently started doing various forms and was psyched to share my journey. A few months later, I added in some book photos. These are my primary passions. Those who followed me for my artwork liked and commented my book recs and photos. Those whom I’ve met in the book community also enjoy artwork, especially the pages where I share my reading journal.

Within the past few weeks, I’ve started to share my face more. I’ve been posting things like a recap of the 100-day dress project- a challenge from the company Wool& where you wear the same dress every day for 100 days straight.

author’s photo: 100 Day dress in front of the City of Pittsburgh

I posted travel photos from Erie and Cleveland.

author’s photo, taken at Masons Farms in Erie PA

author’s photo, taken at The Haunted House Restaraunt in Cleveland Heights, OH.

Yep, same reaction. People were liking and responding to these as well.

What I’m finding is that people are often interested in exploring the various aspects of another person. Not just one or two things.

So why not show who you really are- online and in writing?

I’m a girl who loves: journaling, reading, minimalist fashion/capsule wardrobes, being frugal, self-improvement and my dogs.

I want to write about all of them. Can I have the same success writing about these topics as I did on keeping my Instagram audience entertained?

Upside to Lifestyle Blogging: No Pigeonholing and Longer-Term Commitment

Which writer ends up being successful? The one who writes for the love of it but also enjoys their topic(s), or the one who burns out because they try to dive into only one topic.

It may take longer to gain an audience, but I believe that the one who doesn’t burn out is the successful one.

For some people, they can stick with a specific niche. They can be the thought leader on mental health, the guru of productivity, the basin of positivity or the coach on living healthier. That’s not me.

See, I’ve tried to say stuff like “From now on, I only write about self-improvement… I only write personal essays on relationships… I only share creative journaling.”

I go to do that, and it sticks, if I’m lucky, for a month or two.

I get really restless. I find it hard to focus on the one thing I’ve been trying to master for the last month. I start to consider creating other accounts. I jump around.

If I allow myself to bridge out, I’m more likely to stay in one place long enough to see a bit of traction. I’m able to maintain some momentum writing in that space for a period of time.

It’s only the lifestyle blog that I’m willing to try and willing to dedicate myself to.

The Downside to Lifestyle Blogging

I’ve tried to niche down before, and I know that there are advantages to doing this. For one, it makes your audience and topic a lot clearer. For another, it can make working with companies and platforms easier.

For example, last November I requested an ARC (Advance Review Copy) for NetGalley. I was really intrigued by the book and I knew some of my friends from the book community were getting approved.

In March, the publisher got back to me. I was denied because “I didn’t have a book specific space”.

Here’s my argument on that: I review books mostly on Goodreads (like a lot of other people) and my Instagram. It’s true that my Instagram isn’t a dedicated to books place. However, I can reach an audience that some others can’t. Because I’m not a thrillers or books only account, I can entice some people who would have never thought about reading your book otherwise. The question is, are you a publisher who is willing to take a chance?

Some companies are willing to take that chance, and some aren’t. I think it’s important to realize this. Do some research if it makes sense- i.e.: I want to feature books, will covering multiple topics hurt my chances of working with publishers.

How Do I See This Translating to Medium?

1. Know what you want to talk about: in my case, that’s creativity and creative journaling, books, self-improvement, capsule wardrobes.
2. Look for publications that meet your topics. For example, self-improvement posts can go to a publication that celebrates happiness and growth. Go through your list of topics and match up publications. Or create your own publication.
3. What do you think would make good longer posts that people may be interested in reading? Make a list.
4. Start writing.