Steemit isn't for me
This is my 6th Steemit post
I've been a member for almost a month
I think it's great
I'm excited to continue learning and growing
But,
I've realised something
...
Steemit isn't for me
The first thing I did after creating a Steemit account was to familiarise myself with the Quick Start Guide and FAQ section. I also read multiple posts and articles that explained how the whole thing works.
Having grasped an understanding of the mechanics, I then found myself reading post after post of how to be successful on Steemit - how to build a following, how to write posts that get traction, etc.
I found reading all these posts and articles a super helpful way of learning how to, well, Steemit.
*
However, there was one tip that made me very, very nervous: **the importance of finding a niche**
I would cringe as memories raced through my mind...
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" asked a well-meaning relative when they couldn't think of anything else to say to the 6 year-old sitting across from them
"So, what are your plans for next year?" asked my friend as we sipped ice coffees and enjoyed the freedom of finishing Year 12
"You're so good at {xyz}, you should really consider using your gifts to {abc}" said basically every teacher of any subject I liked. As if to not do so would be wasteful, ungrateful, and a real crying shame.
"What career will your {generic undergraduate degree} lead to?" asked the lady at the checkout, as I regretted my decision to wear my uni jumper to the shops
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?" asked every motivational speaker, self-help book, and getting-to-know-you activity
"What are your goals, dreams, passions?"
...For each of these questions, the same embarrassing answer would come to mind:
I don't know
But I never said that. Instead I latched onto my most recent/employable/interesting/noble interest and convinced myself and those around me that that was the answer to all these questions. I hoped it would be. I hoped that the next time they asked, I would be able to say the same thing.
I couldn't.
I thought there was something wrong with me (apart from my indecisiveness). I felt like I was non-committal, not driven or passionate or goal-oriented. I felt irresponsible, flitting from one thing to another in the vain hope that this would be that one 'calling'. I felt like I had my fingers in all the pies, that nothing I devoted time to was worth it. I was a jack-of-all-trades in an increasingly specialised world.
Turns out that it has a name. Yep, of course it does. There's a name for everything. Does that justify it though?
Multipotentiality
This is why I can't find a niche. Because I have sooo many interests, but my knowledge of each is shallow compared to those who devote their whole lives to a single topic. In a world where everyone has something to say, and yet everything I have to say has already been said, I am a fish out of water.
Steemit isn't for people like me.
This education system isn't for people like me.
This society isn't for people like me.
This world isn't for people like me.
But still, I try
If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend the TED talk below by Emilie Wapnick
Here's the thing ... Write about your passion and you'll never stop writing!
If your passion is Strawberry Iced Cream today and dung beetles tomorrow, that's fine! It's still your passion!
Your passion will show in your writing and you will build a following.
Write about YOU! Yes you ... People like to read about people. What interesting thing did you see or discover today? What new recipe did you try for dinner? What great news report got you thinking this morning?
If you just let yourself write you can be a great success!
Thanks for the encouragement!
@orangejelly at one point I got caught up in trying to develop a niche to build a following and I felt almost boxed in with little results to show for it.
At some point, I came across an interview with Joe Rogan and he was asked about his own success with his YouTube show. One of the most important statements in his reply was he largely didn't care what the audience wanted or expected - he only interviewed people or spoke about things he found interesting. He also did not aggressively promote because he felt it pissed people off and pushed them away more than brought them on as fans.
After hearing that interview, it made me change my content "strategy" on Steemit. I write about things which interest me, make me laugh and I care about. It's become more of my laboratory than my passive income stream. As a result I find myself engaged in more activities and experiencing more outside of Steemit which I may sometimes share on here.
I would suggest you explore and write about those lives and interest, but do it from a point if view where the Steemit community can learn more about you. If they wanted to learn about a subject, there are 1,000,000 resources. Learning about a subject from your experiences and context is what the world as a whole is looking for.
Hey @lpfaust thanks for the encouragement! I really like the way you describe it as a laboratory, I'm going to try and think of it like that from now on
niche is a shudder inducing word....
Agreed!!
Im 60 years old and and currently my 'Niche' is Digital Art. Before that it was United States Marine, Truck Driver, Biker, Welder, woodworker, glass blower, painter, sculptor, gambler, mechanic, astronomer, photographer, anarchist, Home remodeler. ect ect, do you see where Im going? Well if you do, please tell me, because I still dont. Everyday is a new experience and that's what people share here. That being said I enjoyed reading what you posted here and keep in mind Nonconformity is a 'Niche' itself. :)
Thanks! I guess I do have a niche after all - nonconformity :)
Well your blog was nice to read and i think you have found a niche because i am pretty sure this is bothering more people - it touched something in me too.
Thanks @dutchess! I'm actually surprised at how many people relate to my post
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STOPThere's a lyric about this kind of thing in Baz Luhrmann's "Sunsreen" song... ;) Totally with you man, so I'm just posting whatever nonsense pops into my head and who knows - maybe just something about your writing style, or mine, will just strike a chord and next month we'll be earning a living...
Well, you can hope, can't you..? ;)
Here's hoping! I think I'm also gonna go with posting whatever nonsense pops into my head so we'll see how it goes