niche stack

“The riches are in niches”

The more tightly defined your offer, the easier it is to market. The more specific your market, the easier it is to reach.

This is true in business and it’s true for your career.

“I’m a full stack Python developer” is fine if you’re a junior. But the further you get in your career, the less willing companies will be to pay senior rates for undifferentiated programming.

You need to stack niches. Technology niches, industry niches, problem-space niches - differentiate yourself by highlighting things you can do that almost no one else can do.

For example, in my consulting business I offer HIPAA/PIPEDA/PHIPA-compliant AWS infrastructure design and implementation for digital health startups… and sometimes I worry I’m not differentiated enough.

So here’s your weekend homework - how specific can you get? Mine your work history for niches. You don’t have to be a true expert. Simple exposure is often enough.

Stack those niches and then think about who might want your specific offer. You might be surprised just how valuable you already are.

— Clark

ps, I’m going to be focusing a bit more on my other newsletter and podcast, Magic or Medtech - so this newsletter is going to switch to a longer weekly edition on Fridays for now. Just so you don’t wonder where I went next week!