Having worked in content/marketing/PR, I also had the niche dilemma but then just pushed through it. And I notice that most of the blogs I read are hard to squeeze in a niche.
I once heard a Substack team member say that people subscribe to a writer’s brain. It’s so true! I don’t adhere to a niche, and have even changed directions several times, but it doesn’t seem to have caused unsubscribes. People subscribe to a person, not a niche!
This is so true and you’re an excellent example of that, although from an outsider’s pov it seems like you’ve been much more strategic about it than I have been.
I’m definitely strategic, but not to the point that I would be willing to, say report on the publishing industry forever (which I could probably do successfully, but then I would be bored to tears, creatively unfulfilled, and writing about an industry that I already learned what I needed to learn from it.) I still will always write about whatever I want to write about.
Also, for what it’s worth I do feel that you fulfill your niche in terms of writing memoir style. I’ve learned about your past in music, your marriage, your life as a dad, your relationship with your dad. If anything, you’ve probably held back when it comes to speaking about your career for the very reason you mention here, that it feels like it’s different. But it’s not! If this were a memoir you would totally talk about your career too. It’s a part of your life as much as any of the rest! (And anyway, I’m curious. Because there’s been a whole crypto winter since the last time you spoke about it and I’d love to know if your relationship with your career/crypto has changed!)
As always, I’m a fan of your writing. And I’m here for all of it!
I had the saaaame exact dilemma! I work in the content marketing space and "should know better", but I don't wanna. So I write about stories AND personal finance in my Substack. Weird mix, but I about had it with this "you must niche" edicts.
That said, you can now create a separate section like I did for Crypto, so that readers have the option to subscribe or unsubscribe to. I think its good for readers to have more control over what they want to receive.
That’s an interesting idea! I mostly write about crypto stuff over at https://invisiblecollege.substack.com since that’s part of my job there. Twitter is where I tend to feel the tension a bit more these days. When I first wrote about crypto I wasn’t working there though.
I needed this, thanks, Lyle! I was at a food writing workshop all day (a new writing pursuit) and when we began with introductions, I struggled a bit. I love writing micro and flash narrative nonfiction. Sometimes it’s memoir. Sometimes it’s memoir about Alzheimer’s caregiving. Sometimes it’s fiction. Sometimes a poem. I’m branching into writing about cooking. In the end we just need to realize we write what brings us joy. If others feel that, yay us! All it takes is one.
Lyle, count me in that "100" (although that number is more a metaphor in your case, I suspect is/will be considerably greater for everything you're creating, including Invisible College of which I am an abashed truant).
Thanks, Edward. I appreciate the kind words. I’ll be honest, I had to look up what abashed truant means lol. You’re certainly not alone in that, especially with how terrible the markets have been.
Keep ignoring the niche advice! I love reading everything you post.
Thanks, Alicia ❤️
Having worked in content/marketing/PR, I also had the niche dilemma but then just pushed through it. And I notice that most of the blogs I read are hard to squeeze in a niche.
Nice read Lyle!
That’s good to hear. Thanks, Oleg!
I once heard a Substack team member say that people subscribe to a writer’s brain. It’s so true! I don’t adhere to a niche, and have even changed directions several times, but it doesn’t seem to have caused unsubscribes. People subscribe to a person, not a niche!
This is so true and you’re an excellent example of that, although from an outsider’s pov it seems like you’ve been much more strategic about it than I have been.
I’m definitely strategic, but not to the point that I would be willing to, say report on the publishing industry forever (which I could probably do successfully, but then I would be bored to tears, creatively unfulfilled, and writing about an industry that I already learned what I needed to learn from it.) I still will always write about whatever I want to write about.
Also, for what it’s worth I do feel that you fulfill your niche in terms of writing memoir style. I’ve learned about your past in music, your marriage, your life as a dad, your relationship with your dad. If anything, you’ve probably held back when it comes to speaking about your career for the very reason you mention here, that it feels like it’s different. But it’s not! If this were a memoir you would totally talk about your career too. It’s a part of your life as much as any of the rest! (And anyway, I’m curious. Because there’s been a whole crypto winter since the last time you spoke about it and I’d love to know if your relationship with your career/crypto has changed!)
As always, I’m a fan of your writing. And I’m here for all of it!
Thanks, Elle! This was some much needed perspective. I appreciate it.
I had the saaaame exact dilemma! I work in the content marketing space and "should know better", but I don't wanna. So I write about stories AND personal finance in my Substack. Weird mix, but I about had it with this "you must niche" edicts.
That said, you can now create a separate section like I did for Crypto, so that readers have the option to subscribe or unsubscribe to. I think its good for readers to have more control over what they want to receive.
That’s an interesting idea! I mostly write about crypto stuff over at https://invisiblecollege.substack.com since that’s part of my job there. Twitter is where I tend to feel the tension a bit more these days. When I first wrote about crypto I wasn’t working there though.
I needed this, thanks, Lyle! I was at a food writing workshop all day (a new writing pursuit) and when we began with introductions, I struggled a bit. I love writing micro and flash narrative nonfiction. Sometimes it’s memoir. Sometimes it’s memoir about Alzheimer’s caregiving. Sometimes it’s fiction. Sometimes a poem. I’m branching into writing about cooking. In the end we just need to realize we write what brings us joy. If others feel that, yay us! All it takes is one.
”We write what brings us joy.” I love that!
Lyle, count me in that "100" (although that number is more a metaphor in your case, I suspect is/will be considerably greater for everything you're creating, including Invisible College of which I am an abashed truant).
Thanks, Edward. I appreciate the kind words. I’ll be honest, I had to look up what abashed truant means lol. You’re certainly not alone in that, especially with how terrible the markets have been.