The issue for me is that the obvious problems I'm an expert in are not ones it lights me up to solve. And the ones that light me up to solve, namely providing fatherly wisdom to young men (Im a sage through and through) seem more difficult or impossible to monetize.
I run into incongruence where I think I myself would not purchase what it is I'm offering.
I then agonize over "chosing a niche" because I'm trying to solve for this incongruence.
My goal is not money its impact. But I understand one facilitates the other so I've adjusted my aim.
Ha. This what I would like to do. It's what people have reached out to me for when I stop posting. Its what I enjoy doing. I love it.
But the problem it solves isnt as easily defineable as "I can help you get to six figures on substack in three days" It's something like, "My advice can help young men think about life in ways that will enrich it"
This is great. I've always thought it lacked substance though. I think because so many gurus have left a bad taste in my mouth about it. And because I've found Ideas like this difficult to sell in the past. Examining my belief. It seems I hold one that states people only want the tangible things. The million dollars. The six figure career move, the personal brand. Not "an enriched life"
I suppose I am wrong in this thinking. (And maybe im even overthinking)
I can see you're not lacking in value to provide to others. You just need the right packaging. I would suggest to get very clear on the pain point you're solving.
Ultimately that might be having "an enriched life" but is too vague and aspirational from a business point of view.
Your belief that "people only want the tangible things" is a story. It’s a popular one. And it’s mostly wrong.
Nobody wants a six-figure Substack. They want what they think it will get them: Freedom. Respect. Security. A sense that they matter. The six-figure Substack is just a noisy, tangible, easy-to-measure proxy for the feeling they’re actually after.
You already have your niche:
"It's what people have reached out to me for when I stop posting."
Read that sentence again.
This is it. The market is already telling you what it wants.
The strategy is to find the people you are uniquely equipped to serve, and then create something for them so valuable they are happy to pay for it.
I would suggest you start with defining your audience. Don't overthink it. Who are your first 10? People already reach out to you, that should give you a clue.
Then offer them the change you want to seek. What about a weekly email? Start with the smallest possible thing that creates value and builds trust. The work is in the consistency.
Find your ten. Serve them. The rest will take care of itself.
BTW: what you're describing here is a classic Sage problem (the Shadow).
That's a great question. The ego has all kinds of tricks. I would ask where the energizing feeling is coming from. Does it come from external validation (performance) or inner alignment?
The “authenticity hangover” is real. I’ve lived it. Your Niche Wide phase framework makes the mess feel not just normal—but necessary.
The issue for me is that the obvious problems I'm an expert in are not ones it lights me up to solve. And the ones that light me up to solve, namely providing fatherly wisdom to young men (Im a sage through and through) seem more difficult or impossible to monetize.
I run into incongruence where I think I myself would not purchase what it is I'm offering.
I then agonize over "chosing a niche" because I'm trying to solve for this incongruence.
My goal is not money its impact. But I understand one facilitates the other so I've adjusted my aim.
I totally get that Mark. What if you would use your Sage archetype as your niche?
Ha. This what I would like to do. It's what people have reached out to me for when I stop posting. Its what I enjoy doing. I love it.
But the problem it solves isnt as easily defineable as "I can help you get to six figures on substack in three days" It's something like, "My advice can help young men think about life in ways that will enrich it"
This is great. I've always thought it lacked substance though. I think because so many gurus have left a bad taste in my mouth about it. And because I've found Ideas like this difficult to sell in the past. Examining my belief. It seems I hold one that states people only want the tangible things. The million dollars. The six figure career move, the personal brand. Not "an enriched life"
I suppose I am wrong in this thinking. (And maybe im even overthinking)
I can see you're not lacking in value to provide to others. You just need the right packaging. I would suggest to get very clear on the pain point you're solving.
Ultimately that might be having "an enriched life" but is too vague and aspirational from a business point of view.
Your belief that "people only want the tangible things" is a story. It’s a popular one. And it’s mostly wrong.
Nobody wants a six-figure Substack. They want what they think it will get them: Freedom. Respect. Security. A sense that they matter. The six-figure Substack is just a noisy, tangible, easy-to-measure proxy for the feeling they’re actually after.
You already have your niche:
"It's what people have reached out to me for when I stop posting."
Read that sentence again.
This is it. The market is already telling you what it wants.
The strategy is to find the people you are uniquely equipped to serve, and then create something for them so valuable they are happy to pay for it.
I would suggest you start with defining your audience. Don't overthink it. Who are your first 10? People already reach out to you, that should give you a clue.
Then offer them the change you want to seek. What about a weekly email? Start with the smallest possible thing that creates value and builds trust. The work is in the consistency.
Find your ten. Serve them. The rest will take care of itself.
BTW: what you're describing here is a classic Sage problem (the Shadow).
How do you differentiate between selfish ego and real energising feeling?
That's a great question. The ego has all kinds of tricks. I would ask where the energizing feeling is coming from. Does it come from external validation (performance) or inner alignment?
Good stuff. I think I’ve brushed against some of these ideas but seeing them written here brings them together and makes them make sense.
I recently decided my first niche was writing a memoir. That seemed almost lazy for the niche picking, but facilitates exploration and alignment. :)
Hi Terry, great to hear the article gave you more clarity. I'm pretty sure writing a memoir brings even more clarity. Let me know how it is going.