Test Your Niche with These 5 Questions

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact

There’s one thing the most successful social impact orgs get right, every time.

They truly define and own a niche.

Owning a niche as a social impact brand is probably one of the most important — but least understood — superpowers to further your mission.

When we help our clients define and own a niche, they:

↳ More easily drive engagement and action for their mission

↳ Build capacity and become more effective with their existing resources

↳ Reduce friction in securing donations and growing their revenue

↳ Build a stronger culture and clarity of purpose for their team

But owning a niche is easier said than done. And your niche should evolve over time.

Where you started might not be right for where you are today — or more importantly where you need to be tomorrow.

In today’s episode of Designing Tomorrow, Jonathan outlines 5 simple but powerful questions that you can ask yourself to test your social impact niche.

If you’re trying to find your niche, or ready to make a pivot, these questions can help you make sure you’re putting your ideas to the test.

Episode Highlights

• Question 1: What Specific Problem Do You Solve? [01:41]
  • Explore the importance of clearly defining the problem your organization solves and ensuring it's communicated effectively.
• Question 2: Who Experiences the Pain If You Disappear? [06:12]
  • Discuss the significance of understanding your primary audience and the implications of your absence on them.
• Question 3: What Is Your Unique Solution? [09:30]
  • Examine how to articulate your unique approach to solving the problem and how it differs from other solutions.
• Question 4: What Are the Ramifications of Not Solving the Problem? [12:44]
  • Consider the impact of not addressing the problem and how it can help refine your organization’s focus.
• Question 5: Who Are Your Competitors or Collaborators? [15:07]
  • Analyze your position relative to competitors and how understanding this can help strengthen your niche.

Quotes

• "The most important question to test your niche is, what specific problem do you solve?" - Jonathan Hicken
• "If my organization disappeared tomorrow, who would feel the most pain?" - Jonathan Hicken
• "Are you uniquely positioned to solve that problem in a way that's different or better than other people also working across that problem?" - Eric Ressler

Resources:

• Use Your Niche to Supercharge Your Mission
• Define Your Social Impact Niche to Build a Brand That Matters
• 8 Key Ingredients to Defining Your Social Impact Niche
• How to Find Your Social Impact Niche
• Al Ramadan - Play Bigger ​​

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