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Experienced copywriters - how did you end up in your niche?

by wordsandthebees
6 replies
I've been writing copy for a few months now and in the beginning people kept telling me that to be successful I'd need to choose a niche.

My question to those of you who have been doing this for a while now; how did you choose your niche? Did you make a conscious effort to choose your specialty based on the things that interest you, or did you have another way to get there?

Or indeed, does a copywriter need to pick a niche; or does their niche pick them?!

I'm struggling to see how it can be as simple as choosing an areas of interest and heading in that direction, but that doesn't mean it isn't. I'd be interested to hear how those of you who are more established have done it.

I know that everyone has different experiences and this group is great for newbies like me to be able to draw on and grow.

Looking forward to your comments
#copywriters #end #experienced #niche
  • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
    I do not have a niche and never have had one.

    It may be easier to get started when you have a niche, but it is not necessary.

    There are many possible marketing plans that do not involve a niche.

    Marcia Yudkin
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    Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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    • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
      Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

      I do not have a niche and never have had one.

      It may be easier to get started when you have a niche, but it is not necessary.

      There are many possible marketing plans that do not involve a niche.

      Marcia Yudkin
      That's great to hear, Marcia.
      As someone with a lot of experience, your opinion and advice are always so valuable.

      For the most part, most of my training has been completed online so it's easy for everyone to jump on the same bandwagon without really having any of their own personal experience.

      Thanks for your input.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThePromotionalGuy
    Hellor wordsandthebees,

    A copy writer gravitates to an industry or a market they want to write in. But it doesn't mean you have to chose that industry or market.

    In all reality, you have only 3 niches to chose from:
    • Selling
    • Informing
    • Both
    I've been writing for clients, in 42 different industries, since 1993. Looking back. Some wanted selling material. Some wanted informational material. Some wanted both.

    Start where you are at today. Your city. Look at the markets and industries around you. They have not heard from you yet.

    Keep reminding yourself:
    • Some need selling material.
    • Some need informational material.
    • Some need both.
    The first step? Write a sales letter and mail it, email it or send it via carrier pigeon to them. But get started

    Chinchilla
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    • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
      Originally Posted by ThePromotionalGuy View Post

      Hellor wordsandthebees,

      A copy writer gravitates to an industry or a market they want to write in. But it doesn't mean you have to chose that industry or market.

      In all reality, you have only 3 niches to chose from:
      • Selling
      • Informing
      • Both
      I've been writing for clients, in 42 different industries, since 1993. Looking back. Some wanted selling material. Some wanted informational material. Some wanted both.

      Start where you are at today. Your city. Look at the markets and industries around you. They have not heard from you yet.

      Keep reminding yourself:
      • Some need selling material.
      • Some need informational material.
      • Some need both.
      The first step? Write a sales letter and mail it, email it or send it via carrier pigeon to them. But get started

      Chinchilla
      Thank you.
      Invaluable advice as always!
      I like the idea of breaking it down per material type rather than by industry - I am marketing myself to small businesses as that's where I feel my services have more of an impact at this stage, so it's important to me that I offer a variety of services to meet all their needs.

      'Both' feels like a great 'niche' to sit in!!

      Thanks again for the advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bill Jeffels
    In my opinion you should be able to write copy for any subject.

    And this is achieved through the research process.

    I've written copy for everything from seniors home care to home alarm systems. An example is the home care. Originally I directed the marketing campaign to the seniors themselves looking for home care. But, through trial and error and my research I discovered It was actually the children of the parents that were seeking the service for their parents.

    That research discovery changed my copy and marketing campaign and took a struggling business to a 6 figure a year company.


    Bill


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    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
      Originally Posted by Bill Jeffels View Post

      In my opinion you should be able to write copy for any subject.

      And this is achieved through the research process.

      I've written copy for everything from seniors home care to home alarm systems. An example is the home care. Originally I directed the marketing campaign to the seniors themselves looking for home care. But, through trial and error and my research I discovered It was actually the children of the parents that were seeking the service for their parents.

      That research discovery changed my copy and marketing campaign and took a struggling business to a 6 figure a year company.


      Bill


      .
      Congratulations on your six-figure salary, Bill and thanks for the advice.

      I can write copy on any subject and I always take the time to research each area thoroughly before I begin writing. My question was regarding the advice that I seem to have been given time and time again of 'pick a niche' and 'specialise' so I was asking for feedback on how necessary this is and if you can success without specialising. Which it appears you can.

      Thanks for your input, it is definitely extremely valuable to identify who you're speaking to before you start writing - I appreciate that tip!
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