7 ways to niche down & create your own category (with examples):
1. WHAT do you do… that you are uniquely known for?

Velveeta is known for "the melt."

There are fancier cheeses. There are healthier cheeses. There are more indulgent cheeses.

But "the melt" is what turned Kraft's Velveeta into a $100M+ brand.

What's your "melt?"
2. WHO do you do it for… who are surprisingly willing to pay large premiums?

One such audience is scrapbookers—who love, love, love buying scissors.

To Staples, scissors are cheap & mass-produced.

To scrapbookers, scissors can be a luxury good.

$50-$75 per pair.
3. WHEN do you do it… that sits at the peak intersection of Important and Urgent?

Wendy's created a unique position in the customer's mind with their slogan:

"Eat Great, Even Late"

Their unique competitive advantage wasn't food quality, but TIME.
4. WHERE do you do it… that if money were no object, everyone would want it?

There are lots of cannoli and artisan bread shops in California.

But the Santa Cruz Bread Boy comes to you.
5. WHY do you do it… that is so in sync with the Superconsumer, word of mouth spreads like wildfire?

The UFC has approximately 576 fighters on their roster.

But only one MAGA/Trump fighter.

Colby Covington's niche guarantees an audience.
6. What OUTCOME do you unlock… that is 100x more valuable than what you charge?

Notice the differences:

• "I write newsletters"
• "I write newsletters that go viral"
• "I write newsletters that convert readers into customers"

The more specific the outcome, the better.
7. How much and “how” does it COST… that is both a value and a premium, and the ‘way you pay’ is a benefit in itself all at the same time?

This is what people say about Ship 30 for 30:

"The course provides obscene value for a laughable price."

This = a niche in itself.
If you enjoyed this thread, read the Category Pirates "mini-book" on how to niche down here:

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

categorypirates.substack.com/p/how-to-creat…

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More from @Nicolascole77

10 Nov
I started writing online when I was 17 years old.

Since then, I've...

• Written 3,000+ articles online
• Ghostwritten 1,500+ articles online
• Published 5 books & 30 "mini-books"
• Built two 7-figure writing businesses

If I had to start from $0 again, here's what I'd do:
Step 1: Pick a social platform

I pick Twitter.

Say I want to be a freelance content writer. I search "marketing" on Twitter and look for high-performing content.

I start curating high-performing content, building out my profile.

Showing off my skills.
Step 2: Offer my skills for free

After curating some world-class work, I introduce myself to top creators.

Tag them or DM.

Anyone who responds, I offer my services for free.

"Let me prove what I can do."

Someone will say yes.
Read 14 tweets
9 Nov
How to clarify your niche framework:

WHAT | FOR WHO | SO THAT

• What are you writing about?
• Who is it for (be specific)?
• To deliver what sort of outcome?

Here's what this looks like in action 👇
"I write about productivity."

No!

WHAT: "I write about productive work habits."
FOR WHO: "For busy product managers at SaaS companies."
SO THAT: "So they can have more time to build meaningful relationships with their coworkers."

Wow, so much better!
"I write about real estate."

No!

WHAT: "I write about how to buy your first rental property."
FOR WHO: "For people who want to get started in real estate but have no money."
SO THAT: "So they can quit the job they hate and create a job they love."

Wow, so much better!
Read 5 tweets
27 Oct
Substack just launched 4 new product features.

• Writer & Reader Profiles
• Flexible Paywalls
• File Embeds
• NFT Embeds

Here's how each one works, and why I think Substack will be the next BIG digital writing platform 🧵👇
1/ Writer & Reader Profiles

I started writing on @SubstackInc very early on.

But my biggest issue with the platform was its lack of Discoverability Flywheel.

With Writer/Reader profiles, Substack is going to become the next big social writing platform.

Start now.
2/ Flexible Paywalls

Paywalls in the publishing world are still an emerging category.

NYT, WSJ, etc., are JUST now making the move.

Substack's flexible paywall feature + Profiles is going to turn every writer into a mini free/paid publication.

This is the future.
Read 7 tweets
22 Oct
The ABDCE Story Framework:

• Action
• Background
• Development
• Climax
• Ending

Here's how it works, and how it can help you write stories readers can't help but get lost in 🧵👇
Action

“It was a pleasure to burn.”

This is the first sentence of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

It immediately drops you into a moment of action. There is no build up, no need to "set the scene."

Boom. You're there.

And you're hooked (whether you like it or not).
Background

Only once you have the reader's undivided attention should you even *consider* giving them the background story.

Remember: it's hard to care about characters or ideas before you see them in action.

So start with a moment of surprise, then explain why it matters.
Read 8 tweets
21 Oct
Fun facts about The Art & Business of Online Writing:

• I wrote it in 4 months, right at the start of the pandemic.
• I beta-tested the manuscript with 25 readers (via Twitter)
• I did the final proofread at my girlfriend's parents' house in AZ (in 100 degree heat)

👇👇
• Almost every chapter/main point in the book I've written about elsewhere on the Internet (validating that's what readers wanted to know more about).

• I intentionally designed the cover to look like an "online article" (which many industry pros told me was a stupid idea)
• I workshopped the subtitle with my good friend @craigclemens who said the "how to beat the game" component spoke to my history as a gamer, and my POV that writing online is like a video game.
Read 5 tweets
21 Oct
Naming & Claiming your ideas is the easiest way to immediately "stand out."

Here's a quick 🧵on how to do it well.
Step 1: Focus exclusively on one topic or idea.

It's very hard to Name & Claim big, broad territories (like "the entire United States").

Instead, pick a small plot of land ("that area of desert outside of LA").

Ignore everything else, and start with that.
Step 2: Think about what makes that plot of land special.

Within this topic/idea, what *exactly* are you trying to say?

Ex: "Happiness advice" is too broad.

But "how to declutter your room to increase personal happiness" is much more specific.
Read 8 tweets

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