What are you really good at? And what do you really like doing?

Answering these questions is a must if you want to successfully develop your target market and service or product niche.

Knowing your strengths and interests will help you develop a niche that’s both profitable and fulfilling.

If you’re lucky the two things are the same or have areas in common. Sometimes it may not be obvious, though, which means you’ll need to do some digging.

For example, I’ve always loved doing any kind of puzzle, from word search to crossword to jigsaw. I was also really good at accounting (makes sense because of liking puzzles) but was miserable doing the work because it was boring and I don’t like repetitive tasks. The work I do now lets me be creative while solving puzzles (aka problems) for clients, so it’s the perfect fit!

When you like what you do, it’s easier to be the best at it.

Most business owners don’t take the time to think about their strengths and interests, though. It’s hard enough to fit in everything you have to do just to get through the day, much less try to fit in something extra (believe me, I know this first hand). Enjoying your work isn’t an extravagance, though! It can create a competitive advantage.

Forcing yourself to take the time to explore your strengths and interests can be the catalyst for remarkable success.

Consider the following benefits of developing a marketing focus:

• You’ll naturally become more expert in your field and more likely to become known as an authoritative figure.
• You’ll get more and better referrals because you’ll be top of mind and people will recognize who you can help.
• You’ll be less likely to be distracted by the newest, shiniest thing around. Focus gives you purpose.
• The more specific your focus, the less competition you’ll face. Providing specific solutions to specific customers using specific methods allows you to become more and more unique. And harder to mimic in the process!
• You won’t gain the reputation as a jack of all trades, spreading yourself too thin by trying to be everything to everybody.

Remember, of course, your focus has to have enough potential customers to be sustainable. Selling bikinis in the Arctic isn’t going to cut it.

I’m not saying things will always be easy and you’ll never have to do anything you don’t like, mind you.

Many new business owners think they can start a business doing what they love and life will be happily ever after as they skip through the week. The truth is running a business is hard work even if you’re in a business you love. But focusing on what you like and are good at will definitely help.

Sometimes we’re too close to our own businesses to narrow down our focus – the old “can’t see the forest for the trees” syndrome. If you find yourself in that position, let’s hop on a call and I’ll help you get on track.