I got fired from my most recent internship a couple months ago. The editor told me I was “too niche”. I won’t go into detail (I’m still lying and telling people my internship contract ended). Let’s just say I left there with puffy eyes and a runny nose.
I’ve wanted to be a music journalist for a long time now. The genres that thrill me have always been rap, R&B, soul, indie pop, and more recently PBR&B. I follow the hip-hop culture more than any other genre and enjoy writing news, commentary articles, and reviews on it but also listen to and want to write about other genres.
Since I’ve known this is what I want to do as a career I’ve had different internships writing and reviewing on the already mentioned genres. I’ve been trying to hone my music journalism skills and also find my voice as a writer. I want to be an expert music journalist like Harry Allen, Robert Christgau, Karen R. Good, or Bakari Kitwana.
So when my latest editor told me I was “too niche” I didn’t know if I should be offended or take it as a compliment. Then it made me think, was he right? Is it better to be a niche or versatile writer? My thoughts on it are in mixed.
In university, my journalism lecturer urged us to find a specialism. In fact, the first semester was based around the students writing a blog on their chosen specialism. His objective was to teach us how to be a good journalist and for us to use those tools to perfect our niche.
Most journalists pick a specialism. Some go into news reporting, politics, sports, food, film, or technology. They spend most of their career writing on a particular topic and in time become an expert. There’s something really exceptional about reading an article written by someone who is both passionate and knowledgeable on the topic at hand. Also it’s convenient for readers to know where to go when they want to read a good fashion, music, or health piece. It’s also rewarding for journalists to know that readers are looking at them to deliver accurate and compelling specialist articles.
Yet there are journalists who don’t pick a specific platform and choose to write about a few different subjects. While they can write on a number of things, you will find that there are usually one or two areas they stick to for most of their careers. They aren’t jumping from subject to subject. On the other hand they may have a specialism then venture into editing, broadcasting, or novel writing. If you love to write, then you can write about pretty much anything. Research is key. Once you’ve got your topic down and have an established writing style, penning away comes easy.
While I applaud those who are good at this, I don’t think I’m that kind of journalist. It’s not that I don’t think I can be. I don’t think I want to. But that can change.
Although I want to be niche , I do not want to be limited. There are a number of subjects that stir me. I want to be an expert music journalist but also want to write about sex, relationships, gender inequality, race and other social issues. My dream of being a music journalist isn’t going to stop me from writing about those subjects. You’ll probably read about them on this blog.
One negative side to being niche is the danger of being pigeonholed.
While some journalists are great at what they do, they are known for only that. It’s hard to spread your wings after dedicating so much time to your specialism and only that. That’s what I don’t agree with about having a niche.
Sure I know the journalist I want to be and am progressing to get there. But I’m not letting it hold me back, especially when it comes to applying for jobs . Then once I’ve reached my goal I won’t let it stop me from wanting to do other things within my field.
Joan Morgan first started her career as a hip-hop journalist. She became known for her love of the culture but not being afraid to give her cultural critique. Although she’s written copiously about music she’s also written about gender issues, even coining the term “hip-hop feminism” in her book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost.
When I think of a music journalist who knows their stuff, I think of Dream Hampton. She’s been writing not just about music but culture, politics, and race for 20 years now. Read any of her articles or essays and you’ll agree.
My point of mentioning those two women was to show that it wasn’t until after they established themselves as music journalists that they started to write about other topics. They weren’t pigeonholed, and became known for more than just their articles on music.
I don’t think having a niche or specialism means you can’t be an all rounder. I say have a niche. Work hard at establishing yourself in the specific field you want to go in. It may become easier to find internships, get published in targeted publications and develop contacts that way.
But have other interests as well and write about them. This brings me back to my asshole ex-editor. He was incorrect at calling me “too niche .” He didn’t give me chance to see what other topics I could write about- bastard. As you can see the wound is still fresh.
Also, being a versatile journalist today doesn’t just mean knowing how to write about different topics. It also means you should know SEO, CMS, editing,design, and social media. Journalists today need to be adept in so much more than just writing alone.
I think it’s all about the kind of journalist you want to be remembered as.
-C
1 Comment
Good insight.