Want to become a copywriter, but have no idea where to start? Here are my 5 simple steps to help you identify your niche, specialize your skills and make that money honey.
What’s up, my posse people! It’s Alex.
This week, I’m addressing a question I get a lot… “Alex, how do I find my niche as a copywriter?” “Which niche is the most profitable?” “Do I need to pick a niche to start writing?”
I am here for you guys, today I am answering all your questions when it comes to niching down so you can level up your copywriting business.
Now, firstly, if you think I say niche funny, I do. I’m Canadian eh. And we say niche, although my American friends down south say nitch. How do you say it? Comment below and let me know lol.
So, what is a niche? A niche is a specialized segment of the market defined by products and services that appeal to a unique and specific audience.
Every brand or business needs to serve a clearly defined niche, because not only is universal appeal rare, but it’s unlikely and totally unbelievable that a single product or service can help all people, all the time.
People want specialized solutions to their specific problems…
So, as a copywriter, you too will have a far easier time selling yourself, and charging more for your services, if you have a clearly defined and specialized offer.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Hi, I’m a copywriter and I can write copy for you” is not only completely redundant, but this spaghetti approach to finding clients – throwing wet noodles on the wall and seeing what sticks – won’t get you very far.
The more specific you are in WHAT you can deliver and to WHOM, the more sought-after and highly-paid you will eventually be as a copywriter.
Yes, that’s right. Picking a niche, will make you… riche. Lol.
So, maybe you want to write copy in the entertainment niche, or the education niche. The personal development niche, or the beauty niche. Real estate, finance, parenting, pets, business, internet marketing, fitness, health, technology, relationships, fashion… the list goes on and on.
There’s no way one copywriter can write equally compelling copy in all of these niches – it’s not possible. Any copywriter who says they can is flat out lying. Sure, a great copywriter will be able to write better copy in an unfamiliar niche than some average dude off the street, but will they be amazing? No. It’s like asking a Dentist to remove your appendix. Ouch.
A business I used to work with once hired one of the top and most expensive copywriters in the game to write a sales page. It wasn’t a niche he was used to writing in, but they thought – hey, he’s the best! So it’s gotta convert. Right?!
Well, it didn’t. Not because he wasn’t a good copywriter, but because the offer was for a niche and audience he just wasn’t familiar with.
Because, here’s the thing guys, it’s one thing to know what to write, but as copywriters, it’s our job to know HOW to write it. It takes a deep understanding of an audience’s specific pain, fears, desires and needs in order to write high-converting copy. So why spread yourself thin and try to do it all?
Specializing and becoming known as a go-to copywriter in a specific niche doesn’t only give you more authority and credibility, but gives you the opportunity to keep getting better and better…
So you can start charging more and more!
So when you ask “What’s the most profitable niche?” Well, it’s the one you’re writing in.
Now, before you start freaking out – ”Omg Alex, I don’t know what I want my niche to be! Do I need a niche to start writing?”
The answer is, no.
Because it takes time and some trial and error to figure out what type of writing you love to do, and what types of businesses you want to write for.
Finding your niche should be an organic process. Start writing and see what you enjoy, and let each project guide the next until you can confidently specialize and work on getting better and better.
That’s what I’m here for! Every single week I release a new copywriting tutorial here on the blog and live on my YouTube Channel – all to help you write insanely better copy, from start to finish. So remember to hit the subscribe button over on my Channel to join the Global Posse.
And now, here are my 5 simple steps to help you identify your niche, specialize your skills and become a HIGHLY-PAID copywriter.
Step 1: Look To Past Experiences, Skills & Interests
Whether you’re someone who’s transitioning from a completely different career path or already a copywriter looking to upgrade your skills — a key step to identifying your niche is to reflect on your past experiences, skills and interests. Regardless of whether they were related to copywriting and marketing or not.
Inside my copywriter coaching program, the Copy Posse Launch Pad, I take my students through a powerful exercise where I have them list down what they most enjoyed about their previous work experiences… or even those from school or extra-curricular activities and hobbies.
It could be that you enjoyed doing research, organized an event, contributed to your school newspaper, or played a sport that you absolutely love.
Evaluating your previous experiences can help clue you in on what you have a natural knack for, and what you can feel confident writing about.
But don’t JUST think about work stuff. It can be really easy to ignore the things we love in our personal lives or what we do in our free time! You may even realize — hey, my niche could be related to something I have in my kitchen or closet!
Ask yourself — what topics do you enjoy researching? What do your friends ask you for advice on? What are some of the brands that you really admire? What are your personal interests? What do you actually enjoy talking about?
Because – TRUST ME ON THIS – you have to genuinely LIKE the industry or niche that you want to specialize in. Because if you don’t enjoy researching and writing about it, you will get bored VERY fast, and you’ll never be inspired to challenge yourself or get better… And that will reflect in your work, and ultimately, how much you get paid. You can never be the best without passion.
Step 2: Create Your Niche Diamond
Now that you have a rough list of skills, interests and experiences that actually pique some passion and curiosity — think of 2 niches that you may be interested to write in and grab a copy of my Niche Diamond Guide here.
For example, say you’re into technology and parenting.
Map them onto opposing points on your diamond.
Then on the two other points, map out two specific sub-niches that are related to the first two.
So for example, parenting software and educational tech toys would be two sub-niches that combine both parenting and technology.
So go ahead and create your own Niche Diamond. Have fun with it. Think of this process as an opportunity to get to know yourself and what gets you excited!
Your Niche Diamond will help you identify the types of brands, businesses and products you may want to write for. In this example, anything that falls under parenting or technology, or any combination of the two, would be a great place to start!
Now, if you feel a little stuck, don’t worry — some of my students took a few days to really figure this out. So take your time to think through it and remember, you can create and re-create this diamond as much as you want until you find the perfect niche for you. You can evolve and pivot at any time!
Once you have your Niche Diamond, move on to step #3…
Step 3: Do Some Market Research
Ok, once you have your Niche Diamond mapped out, it’s time to do some research and dig in. How big is the market? What products are other people selling in that niche? Who are the top players?
Go down the Google Rabbit hole and see what you can find for copy examples in each niche or sub-niche. This is a good time for you to bookmark sites and add sales assets to an inspo folder that you can refer to and update along the way.
For some helpful tips — you can check out my video, 5 JUICY Market Research Tips For Copywriters.
After you’ve done some preliminary research, move on to step #4…
Step 4: Shortlist Products & Brands
This is when you want to get more granular by going from the niche to the actual products or services that you could possibly write for.
During your research, you’ll likely stumble across a variety of different products and brands. So, start making a list.
For example, if your niche is Yoga, you might find yoga leggings, yoga mats, yoga classes, yoga tutorials, yoga membership programs, and yoga teacher training as products in that niche.
Your list of brands might include Alo Yoga, Fabletics, Lululemon, Yoga by Adrienne and Sweaty Betty.
Go through this process for each of your niche categories in your Niche Diamond. By the end, you should have quite the list of different products and brands.
If you’re having a hard time finding products that fit the bill, your niche might be too specific and you might want to expand your diamond a bit. Are yoga pants for three-legged dogs a thing?
Lastly, moving on to step #5…
Step 5: Start Writing
Now that you have your list of products and brands, it’s time to start writing! Pick a product or brand that excites you and start writing your portfolio!
Now – if you’re wondering “Alex, how do I write a portfolio if I don’t have any clients and how do I get clients if I don’t have a portfolio?”. Ah yes, you have discovered what I call the dreaded copywriter catch-22, but don’t fear my friend…
There are plenty of ways to start building your portfolio even if you have ZERO experience or any paid clients yet.
In fact, I have a whole tutorial on this topic. You can watch my 5 tips for building a portfolio with NO experience blog right here.
So glad that you joined me today. Thank you for reading and if you prefer video, check out my YouTube Channel too!
I’ll see you next week. Till then, I’m Alex. Ciao for now!
20 Comments. Leave new
mind-blowing information for me. thanks for your supervision I need this. once more time thanks for this marvellous info.
and now you have one more subscriber for youtube channel.
have a nice day Alex. (hope you read this comment)
Thank you! Glad you’re here.
Very useful info. Thank you.
Good stuff Alex, thank you!
This niche has really been an issue for me, but after going through this article I have an understanding of what it is. Thanks so much.
Thank you for the write up.
It’s cool stuff
Agreed!
Thank you Alex this is insightful and rich. Am just a day old in copywriting I believe practicing this is a big stepping stone for me.
Thank you
Awesome! We’re so glad to hear it Stephen!
Hello,
Alex, can you help me?
What is the sub niches for Business , Make money online and motivation.?
Great post. You need to correct a mistake, though: “It wasn’t a niche he wasn’t used to writing in . . .”
Thanks for the catch!
Great post! thanks for the practical advice here!
Your recent video featuring an Egyptian girl has given me renewed hope that I too can reach a high level one day.
I am brand new to the whole world of copywriting but your lessons really encouraged me more to go all the way and earn myself unlimited passions.
Thanks much Alex.
Yay! We’re so glad!
Yay!!! That’s amazing 😀
Thank you! This was super helpful! Question… Say you write copy for the personal development niche (coaches, therapists, etc) how do you put that in an engaging way in your bio? “I write copy for women who work in the personal development space.” Is that too blah and wordy? Thank you!!
I would add more adjectives like “engaging copy” and “highly-driven women” to make it sounds more impressive 🙂
I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ABOUT COPYWRITING, AND AS A NEWBIE COPYWRITER THIS IS REALLY HELPFUL. I REALLY LEARNED A LOT! ALEX CATTONI IS PROBABLY MY FAV COPYWRITER RIGHT NOW.