To niche or not to niche…that is the question

I do lots of work with other coaches to help them get started and build successful, profitable practices. I often get asked the question “should I niche?” The dictionary definition for a niche is:

“a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it”

I like that definition. So as a coach, if you can find a position (be it the type of coaching, location or types of people/businesses) that you are well suited to it should make your life easier and your business grow. That is on the assumption that there is a market for your niche.

The book “Niche Marketing for Coaches” is the best book that I have read on the subject. It explains loads about marketing for coaches and covers the subject of “niching” in a great deal of depth. It is well structured, consise and simple to understand (which suits me). It is packed with exercises, tips and insights into the world of personal and business coaching with a real focus on marketing. It is one of those books that you can read front to back or you can dip into as and when you need it. I consider myself to be a very experienced and successful coach, but I still found some magic tips in there that I have been able to apply for myself.

Hannah is from a corporate marketing background before becoming a coach, which is why she probably found that particular niche and was so well positioned to write the book.

You can order your copy of “Niche Marketing for Coaches” from Amazon using the link below:

Niche Marketing for Coaches: A Practical Handbook for Building a Life Coaching, Executive Coaching or Business Coaching Practice

I have actually bulit my coaching practise without a niche. I still cover a range of areas, but I have managed to generate a decent income and help lots of people. However, it was difficult and on reflection it would have been easier if I had focused on a particular area – especially in relation to finding clients. It is much easier to know where to find them if you are specific about the areas in which you are going to coach. It is worth pointing out that selecting a niche should not be rushed or taken lightly. Once you have decided upon your niche there is a massive investment in terms of time, energy and money in order to launch the niche and offer your proposition to those that need it.

 An alternative strategy is to start generic and let your niche evolve over time. There is an argument to say that this will take you longer, but the advantage is that you have the opporunity to sample the type of coaching and clients up front prior to investing into your niche. The last thing you want to happen is to make a huge investment into a niche that doesn’t make money or doesn’t suit you once you get into it.

Regardless of whether you decide to niche or not to niche I do whole heartedly recommend that you consider the concept of niching and Hannah’s book is the perfect vehicle for this. Here is the purchase link again:

Niche Marketing for Coaches: A Practical Handbook for Building a Life Coaching, Executive Coaching or Business Coaching Practice

Darren