Hey everyone,

Welcome to the latest edition of The Compelling Writer.

I’ve been away to Leeds for 3 days so have enjoyed some non-writing days. I found the little break energising for my writing. When you find writing hard and slow. Have a break from writing and watch your energy return.

Today we are tackling a question I get asked all the time. How do I decide what to write about? Do I need a focus or can I vary my topics?

It’s a crucial question.

So let’s dive in.

I’ll be straight with you.

You have to find a niche. A topic you write about. And then write about it (and nothing else).

It can be broad (exercise) or super-specific (long-distance running). But it needs to be clear to your readers what your topic is.

But needless fear stops people deciding.

3 fears you don’t need to worry about:

1. I’ll lose readers

Here’s a comment on a recent Medium article of mine:

Notice the last line.

‘You’re becoming my go-to person’

Whatever you want from your writing. Money. Influence. Joy. Building a community of people who love your stuff is the way to get it.

You fear you’ll lose readers when you narrow your focus.

But the opposite is true.

You lose people when they can’t work you out.

Are you the property guy? But now you are writing about running. And what’s this gardening advice all about?

Get clear if you want to grow.

2. I’ll run out of things to say

Ideas flow when you have constraints.

Don’t believe me? Let’s test it.

Come up with 5 blog ideas in the next 15 seconds. Go. The clock’s ticking.

How did you do? 

Let’s try it again.

Think of 5 helpful books you’ve read. Come up with 5 blog ideas in the next 15 seconds from these books.

How did you do this time?

Which felt easier on your brain? And generated more energy?

For most people, the answer is the 2nd exercise. Despite being limited to getting ideas from these books. And ignoring the other billion possible ideas in the world.

When you limit your focus it releases creativity. Because it directs your brain.

That’s exactly what happens when you pick a niche.

Since I’ve picked my focus I found ideas easier to find. I currently have 7 draft articles plus 18 more ideas ready to go, with very little effort. 

3. I don’t know enough about one topic

I’ll be honest with you. 

You probably don’t. But when a topic becomes your niche something magically happens. You give your energy to it. Your brain is on the lookout for ideas. You are motivated to learn. You want to try new ideas.

You don’t need to pretend to know more than you do. But when you share what you are learning and experimenting with. It’s like catnip. People love it.

When you become huge you can write about whatever you want.

But until then the sooner you focus the better

And you can relax

You don’t marry your niche.

New writers can feel intense pressure to make this decision. But you can relax. It’s not final.

You need to think carefully and not rush it. But you can change if it doesn’t work. And it will evolve as you grow.

Next week I’ll give you the 4 signposts I used to decide on my niche.

Until then,

Derek

What I’ve been reading…Originals by Adam Grant

because I’ve read so many amazing quotes from Grant.

Two ways I can help you further:

1. The Writing Clinic - personal coaching and feedback on your writing. Click here for more details.

2. My best 10 hooks dissected - a 5-day email course breaking down my best 10 X hooks and why they worked. 23 × 5-star reviews on Gumroad.