Do You Need a Niche on Medium?

Summary

The author, Ben Ulansey, contemplates the merits and drawbacks of finding a niche in writing on Medium, expressing uncertainty about maintaining a single account for diverse content versus creating multiple specialized accounts.

Abstract

Ben Ulansey has been writing on Medium for nearly a year and is uncertain about the benefits of sticking to a niche versus the appeal of writing across various genres and topics. While he enjoys the freedom of writing about numerous subjects, he is concerned that this approach might confuse his audience and hinder his ability to monetize his work. The idea of creating separate accounts for different content types has occurred to him, but the prospect of starting over is daunting. He worries that his current approach might be overwhelming for his followers and could be detrimental to his growth as a writer. Ulansey acknowledges the potential advantages of specialization but also sees the value in the variety of his work. He is open to advice from other writers on Medium about whether to diversify or to find and stick to a niche.

Opinions

The author enjoys writing about a wide range of topics but is unsure if this versatility is beneficial for building a consistent readership.
There is a concern that a lack of specialization may lead to difficulties in retaining email subscribers who expect a certain type of content.
Ulansey is considering the possibility that maintaining multiple Medium accounts could simplify content management and reader expectations.
He is apprehensive about the work involved in managing additional accounts and the potential for increased notifications and administrative tasks.
The author questions whether his diverse content, including satire, film reviews, poems, and various forms of non-fiction, is too scattered and if it might be diluting his impact as a writer.
Ulansey is uncertain if readers who enjoy one type of his content (e.g., dream pieces) will also appreciate his other works, such as reviews of zombie TV shows or personal memoirs.
He admits to not having concrete answers and invites the Medium community to share their insights and experiences on the topic of finding a niche versus diversifying content.

To niche or not to niche

For almost a year now, I’ve been writing on Medium. And the truth is, I haven’t found my niche. There are certainly topics I’ve found that I enjoy writing about; that isn’t my issue. My issue is that there are far too many of them.

Sometimes it’s felt as though it’s wise for me not to put all of my eggs in one basket and to keep my topics varied in this way. But other times, I worry a little that this inconsistency might actually be hurting me in the long run. I worry that the people who follow me and subscribe to my writing just can’t ever know what to expect.

And while it’s fun to keep people on their toes, I would also like to be paid for my work! That’s not too much to ask, right?

I’ve considered for awhile that it might be smart to simply try to diversify and create different accounts for my different types of content. The idea of starting from scratch here with a new account, though, is a little daunting. Maintaining my lone Medium page has already grown a little challenging as I’ve continued to gain a following and join new publications.

Would I just be further congesting my life here on Medium by creating more new accounts? Would it just be introducing myself to a new onslaught of notifications to respond to? Or am I shooting myself in the foot by writing satire, film reviews, poems, suspense, fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, op-eds, tech pieces and rambling philosophical treatises all in the same place? Is that gratuitous?

I haven’t done a great job at keeping my email subscribers. If someone enjoys one of my dream pieces enough to subscribe for my emails, are they then disappointed when my next piece is a review for a zombie tv show? If someone enjoys one of my suspense pieces enough to sign up for these updates, are they off-put when my next piece is a 13 minute long memoir about The Worst Shower of My Life and Why I Loved It?

And who exactly do I lose when I write about Mario, Zombies and the Return of the Mad Titan? Or Being a Young Penguin in Love? Do Club Penguin satires maybe belong somewhere different than political essays and existential rants about all of the strange things we’re facing as a species? Am I spreading myself thin?

I don’t have a lot of wisdom to offer here, and if you came here looking for any answers I’m sorry to disappoint. Sometimes pieces with question titles are just that! That said, if anyone has any advice here, I’d love to hear it.

Have you tried diversifying on Medium? Have you made multiple accounts? Is it good to find a niche and stick to it? Open to any and all ideas!

You know what costs just over 3/5 of a gum ball per day? Supporting the aspiring writer whose article you just finished! Additionally, by the powers vested in me, I’ll grant you unlimited access to the work of all the writers on this platform. All you have to do is sign up through this link here! Can you spare the equivalent of just over 3/5 of one gum ball per day? 🧐

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