I just found your blog. Very interesting overall, and I especially liked this article.

This topic reminds me a lot of what all the “blogging experts” keep saying over and over again, assuming of course that your primary purpose in having a blog is to make money. Or get lots of attention. Maybe some of us just write because we need to, and if someone happens to read it and benefit, then great.

The last thing I want in my writing is a niche. Topics (or formats) include poetry, personal experiences, spirituality, politics or current events, personal growth, relationships, among others. The one thing that is common is my perspective, which is ever-changing. The readers who always come back are the ones who find some personal connection with whatever wisdom I can share. I know some people feel more comfortable with a consistent message. But my blog is not for people who want comfort!

I make no money from my blog, nor is that my intention. Of course, for the professional artist, there is a certain balance that needs to be achieved between being true to the art and being true to professional goals. I especially liked what you said in the comments about only working with people who get you from the start. In the end, I think you’ll be able to look back and feel that you were true to yourself.

Keep up the good work!

Namaste,
Mike

I also think one of the other commenters got it right too, be authentic and then “quietly position” as Steve mentioned.

drew – i like the zebra metaphor. when i’ve worked with managers and agents in the biz, it’s been like contortion — they try to get me to be what they think i should be. finally, i decided never to work with anyone unless they just totally GOT me and loved what i did. (which means that i’ve said no to people – and which means that i had to take all of this stuff into my own hands. not always easy!) thanks for your thoughts.

rodney – i understand about the goals and all that. i try to set goals for my work and for the things i can control (song writing time each day, etc), rather than those outside world goals (sell 100,000 cd’s, etc) – because of the very thing you wrote about here.

thanks walter – i just love gaping void. hugh is a great artist, writer and visionary.

rob – yea, steve is a great guy. every now and then i’ll do a teaching gig or a festival and i just click with another artist. steve is one of those people. since our first time teaching together, we’ve remained fast friends in this crazy business. say hi to him at your next taxi conference.

thanks carla, sue and paula!

For those of you interested in an alternative way of finding your (for lack of a better word) “niche”, I just remembered a technique that I learned from a really driven and inspired life coach. He said to draw three intersecting circles. The one on the right is labeled need. He described this as being a void or vacancy in the universe (something spirit desires to manifest). The one on the left is labeled passion. This is where you place all the things that you are really passionate about. The one on the bottom is labeled skill and this is where you bring your individual skill and talent into the equation. Where these circles interconnect is where you find your “niche”.

Just thought I’d share…

Much love,

pk

Steve seems like a great guy! I learned about him via his involvement with the TAXI seminars. I think he’s been doing their rally for a few years now?? The more I read your writing, it makes sense that you guys would be pals. A couple of class acts, if I may say!

“Art is simply using the tools at hand to ask the question, “What is possible?” Painting, music, literature, it doesn’t matter what media one uses. What matters is the question.” — Hugh McLeod

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/004157.html

I’m thinking that asking the question is what makes niche