I had a conversation with a coach recently that reminded me of something I see all the time.

She said to me, “Jen, I know I want to help people… I just don’t know who exactly.”

And I smiled because I had heard that sentence so many times over the years.

Most people don’t become coaches because they want to focus on one small area. They become coaches because they care deeply about helping people. They see so many situations where they could step in and support someone…relationships, parenting, life transitions, confidence, communication…the list goes on.

So when someone says you need to “choose a niche,” it can feel a little uncomfortable.

Almost like you are limiting yourself...

Or leaving people out...

Or closing doors that you might want open later...

I completely understand that feeling…because many of the coaches I work with start in exactly that place.

But here is what I have noticed over the years:

The coaches who try to help everyone often end up feeling the most frustrated in their businesses.

Not because they aren’t talented coaches, not because they don’t care enough, but because the people who need their help aren’t always sure that they are the right person to talk to.

When your message is too broad, people have a hard time recognizing themselves in it.

They might read your website or hear you describe what you do and think, “That sounds nice”…but they don’t necessarily think, “That coach understands my situation.”

Clarity is what creates that connection, and clarity often begins with choosing a niche.

Inside the Club, we talk a lot about something called O.F.T.™.

The idea is simple…when coaches feel overwhelmed in their business, it is usually because they are trying to do too many things at once. More marketing, more social media, more programs, more ideas, more strategies. And before long, the whole business starts to feel heavy.

But when you focus on one thing at a time, something shifts.

For many coaches, the O.F.T.™ that changes everything is getting clear on their niche and their message.

Because once that becomes clearer, something interesting happens. Your content becomes easier to write, your conversations become easier to have, and the people who need your help begin to recognize themselves in what you say.

Choosing a niche doesn’t mean you are locked into it forever. Most coaches evolve and refine their niche over time.

But having a place to start makes everything else in your business much easier.

So if you find yourself feeling stuck or unsure what direction to take next, try asking yourself a few simple questions…

• Who do I feel most drawn to helping?
• What conversations do people naturally come to me for?
• What challenges do I understand deeply?

Sometimes your niche is already right in front of you…you just need to slow down long enough to see it.

And maybe…just maybe…your O.F.T.™ right now is simply getting clear on who you help and how you talk about that work.

If you’d like help figuring that out, you can always take a look at the Work With Me page to see the different ways we can work together.

Or if you’d rather talk things through, you’re welcome to book a call with me. I love hearing about the businesses coaches are building and helping them figure out their next step.

XOXO
Jen