Following on yesterday’s post about making a career out of your passion (if possible), attorney John R. writes to lament that despite his best efforts, he cannot find a way he can do that with his passions: woodworking and golf.
If you find yourself singing a similar song, I have a suggestion I think you’ll like.
Take one of your passions and make it your target market.
Use your knowledge, experience, and love for the subject, to market your legal services to prospective clients and referral sources who inhabit that market.
I don’t know a lot about woodworking but I’m sure it is composed of a wide variety of individuals and businesses: vendors, machine and tool manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
People who sell wood furniture and art. People who run conventions, write books and blogs and sell instructional videos.
There are insurance brokers, real estate brokers, accountants, and financial planners, who sell to or advise wood mills, hardware and furniture stores, and others in the chain of distribution.
And many others who share your passion.
It’s a big niche, or rather a collection of related niches, and it’s yours for the taking. Focus your marketing efforts on this niche. No matter what your practice area, there are people in it who need your services or can refer people who do.
Speak and network at their events. Write for their publications. Let them know you’re “one of them”.
Soon, you will dominate that market, or at least carve out (sorry) a large enough chunk to keep you busy many times over.
You may not make your living turning a lathe or sanding shelves but you’ll do the next best thing. You’ll get to spend time talking to and helping other people who share your passion.
This will help you find the right target market for you
