My 6-Part Framework for Uncovering Your Profitable Niche

Want to make money from filmmaking, but aren't sure where to start? 

Want to work on film projects that align with your passions and skills, with the potential to pay the bills?

I feel you!

Finding a profitable niche in the film & TV industry is one of the first, most important steps.

But it's also one of the biggest challenges filmmakers often face.

So I'm here to share with you what worked for me.

Let’s get into it.

The Solution: My Step-by-Step 6-Part Framework 

My 6-Part Framework combines the process of reflection, research, and experimentation.

Step 1: Reflect on your journey and connect the dots

Create a list of things you love to do and work on without needing to or being paid for it.

Looking back on my childhood, I've been an athlete ever since I was a little girl. I've always been passionate playing and watching sports.

In grade school, I gravitated towards class projects that involved video.

In college, I chose to study Journalism, and my first internship was at the Los Angeles Times creating short digital documentaries.

In my early to mid 20s, I worked a full-time job and spent most weekends ideating, shooting, and editing my sports-centered passion projects for fun.

Now, I'm fully dedicated to expanding narratives around women in sports through film & TV, and branded & commercial content.

When you begin to look back at your own life, you'll start to notice common threads.

Step 2: List the knowledge and skills you have 

Your skill set has to complement what you want to do and where you want to be.

Start to identify specific knowledge and tangible skills you already have. 

The more detailed you get, the better.

For me, it was the creative process.

I had skills in the following areas:

• Finding stories
• Building authentic relationships with people
• Presenting and pitching my ideas 
• Writing interview questions
• Shooting and editing

Today, brands, production companies, studios, and networks hire me for services including:

• Story producing
• Casting
• Creative development
• Building pitch decks and treatments
• Directing and producing from ideation through post-production

Step 3: Combine your passions and expertise

Write down different iterations. This is the formula for identifying your niche.

Personally, I’ve always looked for opportunities to marry my passion for sports with my love of filmmaking.

That's how I landed on creating, directing, and producing women's sports documentaries. 

Step 4: Validate your niche 

Sometimes what you’re making might not be a priority in the current market. 

Find out what types of TV shows and films are being produced and the key players who are attached to them (talent, producers, directors, production companies, etc).

You'll start to spot patterns and gaps. And you'll develop a stronger sense of what people are looking for, which is the key to building your profitable niche.

Some great places to do your research include: film & TV trades, streaming platforms, film festival selections, branded & commercial content, trending social media, and YouTube.

Did you know that YouTube was the most-watched streaming option ahead of any other platform including Netflix? Don’t sleep on Youtube!

You can also run your ideas by your network for feedback, and refine your niche based on what resonates.

Step 5: Build your reputation

This one is simple: do great work.

Consistently deliver top tier results and you will build a reputation in your niche.

You might still be in the beginning phases of your career and working on the basic fundamentals of filmmaking.

Or maybe, you're a seasoned filmmaker with great ideas, but haven't established yourself in this specific niche yet. 

Try to determine where you are in your journey, and keep focusing on improving your craft.

Professional, industry standard work can sometimes take up to 10 years of experience to make.

Step 6: Adapt and be flexible

I've said this before and I'll say it again: be willing to pivot.

Some people may frown upon thinking about "art" this way, but any successful business is constantly doing market research and building products around that research.

Action Steps & Summary

Here's how you can get started today:

1. Identify 3 passions of yours.
2. Write down 5 skills or areas of knowledge that you have.
3. Create 2-3 different combinations of niches. And be specific (i.e. women's sports documentaries).
4. For each niche, check out the trades. Research different streaming platforms. Find top film festival selections, and which of those films are being distributed. Then try YouTube and social media. Use terms like ‘popular’, ‘trending’, ‘TV shows’, ‘films’, etc.
5. Think about 1-2 specific ideas you are capable of and interested in, and start creating the appropriate materials (i.e. one-pager, pitch deck, treatment, sizzle reel). Share with a few people in your network and see what resonates!
6. Be open to feedback. Learn from your mistakes and stay flexible.

Dedicating the time for each of these steps will put you in the right direction and provide a ton of information to define your niche.