Stop Chasing Niches. Start Solving Problems

Neera

“What should my newsletter be about?”

I’ve heard this question more times than I can count.

After running a Substack newsletter for 4.5 years, here’s what I’ve learned:

You don’t need a flashy niche.
You need a clear promise.

Not:
“I write about marketing.”

But:
“I help coaches turn their knowledge into a paid newsletter that builds trust and income.”

See the shift?

It’s not about being broad, clever, or hyper-niche.

It’s about being clear. Clear about who you help, what you help them do, and why it matters.

Start with what you already know—your lived experience, your work, your wins (and even your failures).

Then ask: Who needs this knowledge in a focused, practical way?

Because here’s the formula I swear by:

Your zone of genius + A real problem people will pay to solve = A profitable newsletter niche

And before you fall into the rabbit hole of “But it’s been done before”—let me say this:

Don’t overthink it.
Don’t try to be original.
Don’t try to sound smart.

Just be useful. Be helpful. Be you.

That’s more than enough.

PS: Download this guide if you want to learn more.

What’s the difference between an idea and an offer?

Neera

An idea is what you want to create.
An offer is what someone wants to buy.
Big difference.

Having ideas isn’t the problem.
It’s turning one into something people pay for.

If you’re like most creatives, your notes app is overflowing.
You’ve got book ideas, course ideas, content plans…
But no real offer.
Nothing that’s bringing in income consistently.

A solid offer speaks to a clear outcome.
It solves a specific problem.
It’s easy to say yes to.

Your idea becomes an offer
when you shape it around what they need,
not just what you want to teach.

I teach you how to do that in my newsletter.
Subscribe here.

Google Made Me A Profile Page

Neera

“You can’t have each day as an ‘exciting’ day,” said my friend.

“Why not?” I protested.

We were coming back from a parlor after having a facial.

It was the highlight of the day for us. Something we wanted to do for months. Something we were looking forward to all week.

“Because most days are mundane. The same job. The same housework. Even the entertainment is the same. There is nothing new. The same stuff over and over again,” she whined.

“Give me something to look forward to,” I pleaded. “I don’t want to wake up each day to cook and clean and tire myself with mundane routine. I want to wake up to do something special each day.”

“Good luck to you then.” She said.

We had this conversation just before I finished working and became a full-time writer. In my new life, I wanted to do interesting stuff. I wanted to have something to look forward to each day. I wanted to make each day count.

So, I learned new skills.
– I started my website.
– I wrote a blog post a day.
– I wrote and published books.
– I enrolled in online courses.
– I wrote on social media platforms.
– I interviewed interesting people.
– I got interviewed and made friends.
– I traveled and sketched and painted.

I am a published author now.

People in far corners of the world are reading my stories.

I have made friends in countries I still haven’t visited.

Google has created a profile page for me.

I am having ‘exciting day,’ every day.

Some nights I am so thrilled, I find it hard to sleep.

How are your days?

Are you having ‘exciting days?’

If not, what are you doing to make them ‘exciting days?’

I turned success on its head

Neera

Rather than asking, how can I be successful?

I asked, what can I do NOT to be successful?

The rephrase is based on a mental model
introduced by a great mathematician, Carl Jacobi.

It’s called “Inversion Thinking.”

Instead of asking how to write like a pro.
Ask, how to write like an amateur.

It’s easier to avoid making dumb mistakes
Then trying to be right all the time.

I will look too dumb if I continue making these mistakes.

What are the three words that describe you?

Neera

It’s one of the common interview questions.
Most of the time, people answer it with some adjectives.

– Reliable
– Outgoing
– Energetic
– Team player
– Dependable

But there is more to this question than just a bunch of adjectives.

People who have achieved a lot in their lives can be easily defined in three words.

Here are a few examples:

Gandhi – Truth, Non-violence, Equality.
J.F. Kennedy – Service, Social Justice, Collaboration.
Steve Jobs – Innovation, Visionary, Disruptive.

In their case, the three words are their philosophies, rather than mere adjectives.

Now think again, what are the three words that describe you?

It’s not an easy exercise, but a worthwhile one.

Once you know what you’re all about, what you stand for,
you will find the inner drive that will guide you

I recently did the exercise and the three words that describe me are:
“Freedom, Power and Adventure.”

‘Freedom’ to do whatever I want to do.
‘Power’ to make it happen.
A life full of ‘adventure.’

I would add a fourth one as well:
‘Authorpreneur’ turning writing into a business.

This is exactly what I do and how I live.

Marketing Lesson #3

Neera

I learned the third most important marketing lesson from Justin Welsh.

He once wrote:

Promote yourself online every single day.

Somewhere.

Every day.

– Your work
– Your brand
– Your thoughts
– Your products

People will either:

– Love you ( and become your customers)
– Hate you (who cares)
– Join you (will become your network)
– Follow you (will spread your name)
– Ignore you (already are)

Your online footprint is your professional showcase—use it to attract opportunities and connections.

Your daily effort will ripple into a powerful network, boosting your personal brand.