Common Fame

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"I trust a great deal to common fame, as indeed we all must. If a man has good corn, or wood, or pigs to sell, or can make better chairs or knives, crucibles or church organs, than anybody else, you will find a broad, hard-beaten road to his house, though it be in the woods"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote struck me today in regard to approaching our chosen niche. I have a tendency to want to keep my niche rather broad. If I cast a broad net and attract more people I will eventually create more sales, right?

The words of Emerson make me think that rationale is a fallacy. If I am casting a broad net I am more likely only succeeding in making second-rate chairs or knives or church organs.

If my content speaks only vaguely to a broad range of people there will likely be someone else speaking precisely to their wants and needs, and the hard-beaten path will lead directly past my house.

Common Fame seems a better aim than mere recognition on a grand scale. What can I provide that is better than anyone else? How focused can I make my content to achieve common fame?

I will have those thoughts squarely in mind in my future content creation.


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Recent Comments

11

Most challenging -- this niche question... thanks kindly for expressing your thoughts on it... all the best to you, cheerio.. :)

Hi, you,

I don't really know but man I like the way you process mentally, and than put it into words.

Becky

Very good points to consider.
Jerry

The broad net is good but you get a better audience on a narrow niche.

Derek

Definitely a good way to look at things, I must say I liked the broad net as well, but can see the need for a more focused net when casting.
Mary

Good point. We have quite a broad niche as well but it is very popular, so hoping that the quality and information in the content will bring readers to us. We shall re-evaluate as we go.
Thanks for your post.

I think there are a number of ways to go about it. I don’t know if there is any approach is better other than from an individual perspective.

I think the issue for me is making sure that my posts are focused even if my niche lends itself to a broad audience.

Yes, posts that are focused seems the way to go with a broader niche.
By the way, that was a great analogy in your original post

Thanks CandP. Analogy is my favorite literary device. It’s the opposite of politics to me.

It helps me connect with other people’s stories and to realize that we all are more similar than we are different.

Hi Haven, I started out with a fairly narrow-minded approach to my niche. I have been spending the past few thinking how I can start stretching myself a bit more within certain parameters that are in place. I have yet to see how this is going to play out.

Brian

Follow the right path :)

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