So here I am, sitting at my desk, overthinking (as usual) about what to do with my YouTube channel. Everyone says, “Find your niche!” like it’s some magical key to success. But honestly, picking a niche feels like standing in front of an enormous buffet, where everything looks tempting, but I know choosing the wrong dish could leave me broke—or worse, irrelevant.
The Niche Dilemma
You see, my heart wants to teach. I want to make educational videos about life, finances, philosophy, politics—all the big things that make people think. But then reality taps me on the shoulder and says, “Excuse me, but does anyone even want to watch that?”
I mean, let’s face it. When people open YouTube, they’re more likely to click on a video of a dog skateboarding or a dramatic celebrity breakup recap than something like “The Relevance of Stoicism in Modern Life.”
Even when I tell my friends I want to make educational content, they give me the same look you’d give someone who says they’re planning to make a living selling typewriters. Their faces practically scream: “Nice, but who’s paying for that?”
The Great YouTube Buffet
Picking a niche is like staring at a massive menu, and everything comes with its own risks:
- Life Coaching: Sure, people love motivational advice, but the minute you say “Think positive!” someone will reply, “Try paying my rent with positivity.”
- Finance: This one seems promising. But let’s be honest, one wrong tip, and everyone will start questioning your qualifications. “If you’re so good at money, why aren’t you rich?”
- Philosophy: My personal favorite. But does anyone actually want to learn about Aristotle when they could watch a video titled “10 Things You Missed in the Latest Marvel Movie”?
- Politics: This niche is fiery and fun until you get dragged into online debates that make you regret ever having an opinion.
And then there’s educational content—the one I really want to do. It’s meaningful, it’s helpful, and it feels authentic. But apparently, it’s also about as trendy as fax machines.
Passion vs. Profit: The Eternal Tug-of-War
Imagine your passion is this free-spirited artist who wants to create something meaningful and beautiful. Meanwhile, your wallet is like a strict accountant saying, “Meaningful doesn’t pay the bills, buddy.”
And I’m stuck in the middle, trying to find a way to keep both happy without losing my sanity. I want to teach people valuable things while also, you know, making enough money to occasionally buy fancy coffee.
The Advice No One Asked For
Here’s what everyone around me says when I talk about this problem:
- “Just do what’s trending! If people like vlogs, start vlogging!”
- “Why not make funny videos? Everyone loves comedy!”
- “You have to entertain people first. Forget teaching—just go viral!”
And look, I get it. They’re not wrong. But the idea of making clickbaity videos or hopping on trends that don’t feel authentic makes me want to scream into a pillow.
The “Why Not Do Everything” Plan
At one point, I thought, “Why not just do everything? Finance on Mondays, philosophy on Wednesdays, and a random rant about world politics on Fridays?” But then I realized this would confuse everyone, including YouTube’s algorithm, which thrives on consistency.
It’s like inviting people to a restaurant where you serve sushi, pasta, and tacos all on the same plate. Sure, it’s creative, but will anyone come back for a second meal?
Finding the Balance
After spiraling into self-doubt (and several cups of tea), I’ve come to a conclusion: maybe my niche doesn’t have to be purely about what people want. Maybe it can also be about what I want to offer. Here’s my plan:
- Make it fun: Nobody wants a lecture. If I want people to learn something, I need to make it light, funny, and conversational.
- Solve real problems: People love content that makes their lives easier. Maybe I can teach them how to manage their time or why they should care about personal finance without sounding like a boring textbook.
- Be authentic: I want my channel to feel like a cozy chat with a friend, not a corporate seminar.
- Start small: Even if my audience is tiny at first, it’s better to have a loyal group of people who get me than try to appeal to everyone and connect with no one.
So, What’s the Final Decision?
I’ve decided to stick with educational content because, at the end of the day, that’s what feels right to me. I’ll mix in humor, keep things simple, and maybe even sneak in a little philosophy here and there. Who knows? Maybe there arepeople out there who want to hear about Aristotle and learn how to budget at the same time.
And if no one watches? Well, I’ll bribe them with snacks.
What about you? If you had to pick between what you love and what pays the bills, what would you choose? Let me know—meanwhile, I’ll be here trying to convince the YouTube algorithm that educational content can be cool too.
Dear Friend 
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