What is a Niche of One? (And why it’s crucial for creators)

It's 2016, and I'm sitting in my tiny 600sft Vancouver apartment, staring at my laptop screen.

I've just launched my first online business, a slackline kit on Amazon. I'm filled with excitement, dreaming of the freedom and success that surely await me.

Fast forward 11 months. One negative review from a loophole-loving competitor tanks my listing. Amazon can't help. My "foolproof" niche idea is falling apart before my eyes.

Sound familiar?

If you're a creator or entrepreneur, I bet you've had your own version of this story. Maybe you've:

• Poured your heart into content that barely gets any views
• Felt lost in a sea of competitors, unsure how to stand out
• Launched products or services that fail to resonate with your audience

You're not alone. In fact:

• 93% of creators believe finding a niche is vital for long-term success
• Yet only 7% feel confident they've found a sustainable long-term niche
• 95% of creators are confused by conflicting "find your niche" advice

The problem? Most creators fundamentally misunderstand what a niche really is – and how to not only “find” one, but create one that leads to lasting success.

Getting your niche wrong isn't just a minor setback. It's the difference between thriving and barely surviving in the creator economy.

Consider these sobering statistics:

• 71% of creators who follow generic "find your passion" advice are unsatisfied with their chosen niche
• 76% of creators who try to "niche down" based on generic advice see a decrease in engagement
• 88% of creators feel traditional niche advice doesn't account for the fast-changing online world

The consequences of a poorly chosen niche are brutal:

1. Constant struggle to gain traction and grow your audience
2. Feeling like you're shouting into the void, with minimal engagement
3. The nagging sense you're wasting your time and talent
4. Financial stress from inconsistent income or failed launches
5. Watching others succeed while you feel stuck at square one

Most creators give up entirely, convinced they're just not cut out for success. But I'm here to tell you – it doesn't have to be this way.

Let me take you back to 2019. After my Amazon mishap and several other false starts, I was feeling pretty defeated. I had built multiple businesses, some failures, some moderate successes – but nothing that felt truly right.

Then I had an epiphany. I realized I had been approaching the whole concept of "niche" all wrong. I wasn't alone in my struggles. As I connected with more creators and entrepreneurs, I saw the same pattern over and over:

• Chasing trends instead of using unique strengths
• Copying successful creators instead of carving out a distinct position
• Trying to please everyone instead of serving a specific audience deeply

That's when I began to develop the concept of the "Niche of One" – and it changed everything.

So, what exactly is a Niche of One?

It's a unique category designed by a creator that combines their authentic identity, point of view, and their ideal audience's unmet needs to create a distinct position in the market.

Let's break that down:

1. Authentic Identity: Your personality, values, strengths, interests, and experiences.
2. Point of View (POV): Your unique perspective on your industry or topic.
3. Audience's Unmet Needs: The problems or desires your ideal audience has that aren't being fully addressed.
4. Distinct Position: How you differentiate yourself and stand out in the market.

A true Niche of One isn't found – it's intentionally created.

This realization led me to develop Nicheology, a step-by-step system for creators to craft their Niche of One. But before we dive into that, let's clear up some common misconceptions about niches.

What a Niche is NOT

• Just a broad topic (e.g., "fitness" or "personal finance")
• Limiting yourself to an tiny, hyper-specific audience
• Copying what's already popular and hoping for the best
• Simply following your passion without consideration for market demand

Instead, a powerful Niche of One is:

• A unique intersection of your expertise, your audience's needs, and market opportunity
• A clear position that only you can occupy in your industry
• Flexible enough to evolve as you and your audience grow
• The foundation for building a thriving, sustainable creator business

Let's look at some examples of creators who've mastered the Niche of One concept:

Ryan Holiday - Modern Stoicism

Ryan didn't invent Stoic philosophy, but he created a distinct niche by making ancient wisdom accessible and applicable to modern life.

His unique approach combines his background in marketing, his passion for philosophy, and his talent for storytelling – all addressing the growing need for practical life guidance in our chaotic world.

Ali Abdaal - Feel Good Productivity

Ali, a former doctor, carved out his Niche of One by combining productivity advice with a focus on well-being and enjoyment.

He differentiated himself in the crowded productivity space by emphasizing that efficiency shouldn't come at the cost of happiness – a fresh perspective that resonated with a burn-out prone audience.

Marie Forleo - Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurship

Marie created her Niche of One by embracing and championing the idea that entrepreneurs don't have to choose just one passion.

Her B-School program and content cater specifically to multi-passionate creators who want to build businesses that encompass all their interests – a previously underserved market.

They didn’t start where they are today.

Each of them started out smaller, using their unique background to get traction.These creators didn't just stumble into their niches, either. They strategically crafted unique positions that align their strengths with market needs.

And that's exactly what Nicheology teaches you to do.

Imagine what your creator journey could look like with a perfectly crafted Niche of One:

• You wake up excited to create, knowing exactly who you're serving and how
• Your content resonates deeply, leading to exponential audience growth
• You're seen as a go-to expert in your field, attracting premium opportunities
• Your income becomes more stable and predictable as you attract your ideal customers
• You feel fulfilled, knowing you're making a real impact while staying true to yourself

This isn't just a pipe dream. It's the reality for creators who've mastered the art of creating their Niche of One. And it's entirely possible for you too.

So, how do you actually create your Niche of One? That's where Nicheology comes in.

Nicheology is a comprehensive, step-by-step system I've developed to guide creators through the process of crafting their ideal niche. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:

1. Strategic Self-Discovery: Uncover the unique combination of strengths, experiences, and values that only you possess.
2. Market Mapping: Gain a deep understanding of your industry landscape and identify untapped opportunities.
3. Niche Design: Craft your unique point of view and position yourself for maximum impact.
4. Messaging Mastery: Learn to communicate your value in a way that deeply resonates with your ideal audience.
5. Validation and Refinement: Test and optimize your niche through real-world experiments.

The best part?

Nicheology isn't based on theory or guesswork. It's a proven system developed from my experience building multiple 7 and 8-figure businesses, as well as in-depth study of hundreds of successful creators across industries (and counting).

Your ideal Niche of One is waiting to be created. But it won't happen by accident.

If you're ready to:

• Finally gain clarity on your unique position in the market
• Build a loyal, engaged audience who truly values what you offer
• Create content and products that make a real impact
• Turn your creator dreams into a thriving, sustainable business

Then it's time to take action.

I'm rolling out access to the Nicheology Academy, where you'll get the exact blueprint for creating your Niche of One, plus personalized guidance to ensure your success.

Don't waste another day feeling lost or struggling to stand out. Your audience is waiting for the unique value only you can provide.

Click here to learn more and join the Nicheology Academy: caitholmes.com/niche

The creator economy is only getting more competitive. Those with a clear, compelling Niche of One will excel. The rest will get left behind. Which side do you want to be on?

I can't wait to see what you create.

- Cait