Finding Success While Writing In Niche Genres

[crisyah]

A post brought to you by "I don't know anymore if I'm writing in an unpopular genre, if I'm bad at self-promotion, if my story just sucks or all three!".

I've been posting my novel (Dark / Gothic Fantasy) to several webnovel platforms and I just... Can't seem to get much traction on any of them. Tapas has been in the most successful in terms of followers, and Webnovel in terms of views, but when I compare myself to people posting isekai, LitRPG, xianxia, wuxia, etc, it's just... So disheartening. I've learned to stop comparing myself to romance authors because romance is the biggest genre anywhere and I guess I should take the same stance towards these other genres.

How do you guys writing in niche genres deal with this? Do you dial down your ideas of success? Do you go hunting for readers in other places, where people might appreciate your niche more? I've tried contacting bloggers for reviews / shout outs, advertising on social media, again, posting in a bunch of platforms and advertising on them... Everything anyone has ever said to do and then some. As someone who wants to make a career out of this, I'm honestly out of things to try, at this point.

[Zugaikotsu]

Niches take more time to grow, but usually their followers stick longer. Just make a research about furries content. Everybody loves to hate on furries, but the fans are quite enthusiastic, and some artists make great figures, although they aren't famous and won't be worshipped by incel kids in youtube channels.

From a more 'marketing' perspective, you can also 'translate' your genre to those trends. Usually their readers complain a lot of authors dragging the story and giving them the same formulas. If you paint a mask and try to sell them something familiar, but also unfamiliar, maybe you'll get more reach.

[MeltingCORE]

Heya! I'm writing in a specific, niche genre. (Get ready for a mouthful but my work is a completely original expansion of an old DC comic series with 99% new world-building, lore, characters - created by me. It's a dark cyberpunk/dystopian series with a somewhat bright, colorful and fiery aesthetic.) I have found "success" (if you want to call it that) here on Tapas simply through becoming friends with many creators and just... believing in my content. I work hard on this story and people can see how much I love it. So, I would say "success" is having a reader-base which I've achieved. It can absolutely be rough but I would encourage you not to give up! It's honestly hard to make a real career out of art let alone writing on the internet. What usually happens is people do it as a side gig until they get a "big break" or go through more traditional methods of publication.

[UrMom]

Aaah yeah, being a niche indie creator and wanting to make a career out of your work can be harder than being an indie creator in a popular genre, unfortunately I couldn't tell you know to make your work more financially or socially successful. The only thing I can think of is getting more into the webnovel community more, involve yourself in the dark/gothic community, maybe even hit up some parts of the horror side since they like dark stuff. People like it when you're social and friendly. For me I went into my comic knowing it would be niche, and that it wouldn't get that much attention... at least that much positive attention. Given that I just did what I wanted, if someone likes my content they can read/subscribe to it, if they don't then oh well. Success to me is being able to enjoy the creation process, but I'm not trying to make a career out if it.

Good luck, hopefully you'll find your success!

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Do you dial down your ideas of success?

Yes. Even the biggest egos can't survive being beaten down for years (or decades...you never know) on end. At some point you have to revise your expectations, for the sake of your own mental health.

Do you go hunting for readers in other places, where people might appreciate your niche more?

Yes...although I never have any idea where to go; I just join new sites randomly. ^^; For instance, I only found out that novels like mine tended to do better on Royal Road AFTER I had already moved there. Story of my life...

I've tried contacting bloggers for reviews / shout outs, advertising on social media, again, posting in a bunch of platforms and advertising on them...

Well...if you're doing all that and still having trouble, I guess I'm doomed. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Those are all solid strategies...and I think you should probably keep using them when you can.

But besides that, I think there's nothing you can do except wait. =/ Eventually, people will find you...or they might not. So it's also worth it to start to think about what else you might like to do with your life, if this goal doesn't work out.

Following other creators who write in the same genres is something good to do in the meantime...I think all art has value by virtue of being created by someone who loves it, even if it never becomes 'famous'. So to hold onto that love and the drive to keep creating, it helps to have a fresh influx of inspiration from other people who love the same things.
If following creators who already have large followings just adds to your stress, follow creators with small ones. Just keep reminding yourself of why you started, while you wait.

[DNoble]

I make what I enjoy, and so should you.
First and foremost, I've been doing this a decade (art on the internet in general. Webtoons/tapas specifically is pretty new for me), and I have experienced firsthand over the course of those years how difficult it is to truly internalize the 'numbers don't matter' mantra.

Fact of the matter is, though, that it's true.

Making the number go up gives your brain The Good Chemicals and there's undeniable merit to having a larger audience. The snowball effect is real, so more followers means more shares means more new followers gained means more shares means more... you see where this goes.
More viewers means a statistically higher chance of people willing to spend money on what you do, making your life more comfortable and giving you more freedom in general, so that's nice.
Getting "The Good Chemicals" may be a joke, but it is also a vital component to perseverance: Feeling like you're making headway gives you confidence and motivation to move forward. If you feel defeated before you even start, then the chances of you continuing and improving and making something really great are diminished.

There's a variety of positives to having a big following, that can't be denied, but it's also only part of the equation.

One of the other parts, arguably one of the biggest, is YOUR passion for your work. Many more experienced creators and consumers will be able to call out a series for being a 'soulless cash grab' (I.E. chasing after what's popular because it's popular and not because the creators actually care about making a story in that genre), but even the most critically-illiterate layperson can usually tell something is 'off' about a story where the creators aren't excited about what they're making.
Those turn into the generic filler content. Think about how many JRPGs got made in the wake of Final Fantasy 7's release. Now think of how many you can still remember well. They're technically successful, but they flicker out and die as soon as they're finished with no real legacy or impact to speak of.

Meanwhile cult classics that defy genre or don't fit into the cultural zeitgeist of the time manage to maintain a legacy long after they're first experienced specifically because of the creator's passion and excitement to create what they're creating. Think... Clerks, Treasure Planet, Blacksad. Small, dedicated groups of fans who have genuinely been affected by these works of art. They are dedicated, they are excited, they don't just like these properties, they love them.

So I suppose the question to ask yourself is this: Are you making something in this niche genre because that's what really speaks to you? Is that 100% what you truly want, and what you want the world to see more of? You can be passionate about your story in a lot of different ways, so ask yourself, is the genre one of them? Are you truly excited to see this gothic fantasy world of yours come to life?
I'm not for a second going to question your passion for your story, that's not at all for me to judge, but it's possible to be passionate about telling the story without having the same level of enthusiasm for the specific way it's being told. It's also possible to be passionate with regards to who you're telling this story about without being all that excited for the story itself. These are perfectly valid and completely viable ways to make a truly great story, so there's no shame or anything in realizing that the genre itself isn't the part you're excited about.

That said, if it IS the part you're passionate about, then the only real advice is to stick to your guns. You have to be your first true fan. YOU have to be the first person to believe your story is truly something incredible, because if you don't believe it yourself, how do you expect others to do so?

[Kuma]

I'm writing a High Fantasy novel with no system, no Isekai, and no reincarnations. I've been told multiple times I should use those tropes.

You should focus on doing what you want to write and not follow what people tell you should write.

[DNoble]

I honestly can't imagine the level of indignation I would feel at being told 'you should use tropes' from other stories specifically because they're popular and I'm not using them. I would go so unbelievably far out of my way, I would bend over backwards and suplex a mountain just to avoid including those tropes out of pure, unadulterated spite.

[Kuma]

I'm too old for drama, I just ignore them and carry on with what I want to do.

[MissFester]

Owwww, I feel this. We are in exactly the same boat here, writing more obscure stories and hoping to make a career. I absolutely sympathize. People who do niche genre comics/novels have to do double the work marketing, and it really sucks. Trust me when I say it's not your writing skills, it's your marketing skills and suffering from the what's-not-popular-right-now curse.
I've had a huge problem with comparing myself to far more successful people, but in different genres, so there's a huge difference. I ruined the love I had for my first comic and totally gave it up after falling victim to the whole comparison thing. But you're going to be successful, don't fret! Just maybe not the most successful on platforms where romance/isekai/etc. stuff is the focus. Don't dial down your hopes, but perhaps hope for a little less on websites where such genres overrule.
Have you tried advertising on reddit (risky, the audience isn't always the nicest depending on the subreddit)? Discord groups work as well, I believe? Though I'm not sure how to go about finding them. I've also heard TikTok being a very successful place for creators and know people who got a ton of readers with one post. I had mild success on there the one time I posted, so it's definitely something to check out if you haven't!

Don't forget to make a story you enjoy rather than what's popular. Trends come and go. Good luck.

[crisyah]

First of all, thank you so much for all the wonderful replies! Logically, I know that there are more people out there in the same situation as me. Seeing them is a completely different feeling, however. It makes me feel less alone.

@Zugaikotsu You're absolutely right about niche fans being more passionate! They get less content, in general, so they latch onto what they do get with everything they have and I love that. I'm not only a niche creator, I'm also a niche consumer, so it's absolutely my experience as well, and something I completely forgot about. Thank you for reminding me! And translating my genre into the trends is great advice, too! For example, Alice in Wonderland is technically an isekai, if you really think about it. It's all a matter of framing. I've been thinking what elements of my novel can be used in that way and adjusting my tags, etc, accordingly!

@MeltingCORE @UrMom @DokiDokiTsuna Since you all touch upon the point of being more involved in the community: I don't want to go into details but I'm neurodivergent and that's incredibly hard for me. If I get genuinely interested in someone's work and we click, I'm able to make friends and I have! But I can't keep up with discord servers or forums, for example, where there's a bigger group and things are constantly moving; it's too overwhelming for my brain. So while I definitely see the validity in your point, it's a tool I don't have at my disposal. At least, not without exerting an immense amount of effort and potentially damaging my mental health.

@andersondavid319 I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love my genre and my story. I was so overcome with love for it yesterday, I legit had to punch a pillow. It's ridiculous and kinda pathetic, but it is what it is.

Are you making something in this niche genre because that's what really speaks to you? Is that 100% what you truly want, and what you want the world to see more of? You can be passionate about your story in a lot of different ways, so ask yourself, is the genre one of them? Are you truly excited to see this gothic fantasy world of yours come to life?

The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.

And I respect everyone doing this as either just a hobby or who doesn't want to chase after a career because it's too stressful and would rather wait and see if it happens naturally or not. But that's not me and, so, I have to worry about numbers and not only in a "number goes up, dopamine and serotonin unlocked!" way. I plan on doing exactly that and sticking to doing what I love, especially now that I'm happy and satisfied with the whole of where the story is going. It's just hard to have to balance the worry about more mundane things like building a career with this almost elation of creating something you believe is great.

@Kuma I would stab someone in the eye with a spork if they ever told me that to my face, tbh.

@MissFester Thank you so much for the encouraging words and I hope you find success as well! I've tried a few reddits for webnovels, but not many others. As for discords, like I said above, it's a bit hard for me, but I've been trying! And tiktok is new to me, but I've started posting some stuff there, as well! If I find some magic formula to get attention on social media, I'll definitely share!

[UrMom]

Oh I get you. Not saying my neurodivergent, I've never been diagnosed with anything and probably never will since it's a non-priority that would cost a good sum of money, but I understand having a lot of trouble with getting involved with communities. Like, I say get involved but I'm really bad at it too with my social anxiety, thoughts that people are inherently malicious and being heavily introverted. It's a baby-step thing, or sticking to topics you feel comfortable with, and letting people know you have communication issues.

When in a story/comic related Discord server or in a forum I normally lurk because those places always have good resources, but I only get involved with topics I can answer. Usually they're Q&A things where I don't have to converse that much, instances where I can talk about my comic, or subjects I know or have experience in. (I probably wouldn't have even clicked on this thread if the title didn't have 'niche genres' in it.) Even then I give myself time to recuperate, on Discord I leave the server for a couple minutes in the middle of conversing if I get overwhelmed, then come back and make it a point to only focus on the conversation I'm having. Forums are a lot more chill, you can take a few days or a week to answer if you want to.
The nice thing about the internet in general is you can take your time and build up to talking to people, then ghost for a while. If you let people know you have neurodiversity issues they will understand... or at least the people who matter will, those who refuse to aren't worth your time. Eventually you'll get a little better with it, conversing on certain subjects won't be as mentally taxing, and you may end up surrounding yourself with a good support system.

Of course I'm not saying you have to, some people have way more difficulty with communication than others, this is more of a general thing you can do if you truly want to. There are therapists who will say it's good to expose yourself to the things that make you uncomfortable or scare in small, manageable doses or in a controlled environment, and eventually you won't have as hard of a time. But I'm not a Psychologist, and I don't know you well enough or have the expertise to tell you what can make that aspect of getting your work out there less psychologically challenging.

Sorry for the text wall, I tend to type a lot. Whatever you choose to do, again, good luck!

[Kuma]

I would have done that when I was 15, I was wilder while younger, I'm 30 right now, I can't afford random acts of violence as revenge. Most people who say those kinds of things are either dead inside or live in basements. Life hit them harder that I could ever hit them.

[RedLenai]

Well... first you'll need to keep in consideration that we're thousands, even more, publishing on several websites, different stories, every month, every day and at every hour.
So, there is the first important note that you're not the only one making a comic/novel.

When it comes to promotion, well, you'll have to be in several places, be it facebook groups, have different social media, be in forums, discord servers, reddits, be active and engage with others as well. Be if for every update you make, to every time a promotion post appears. But what I've seen that works the most is engaging with other creators, give advice, critiques, be... there! At least that's what everyone does to start

The genre "may" get you attention, but honestly, as someone that works for a romance webcomic already, that's.... not true, because again there are thousands and thousands of people making stories everyday at every hour, and no, I've been working for almost 4 years on this and neither the author nor I have seen a single cent despite we write a supernatural romance story with vampires, witches, family mystery and more.
Subs also don't mean much because only less than 5% will comment/like the story and less than 30% actually sees the chapters.

What happens with "popular" stories specially on the independent/canvas section is that most of the time the author or the artist already has a very active fanbase, so yeah, their fanbase come to support them, they get a higher rank, more people see what they do, they read it and so on.

I believe is more about luck and working hard, you can't expect things to flip in less than a year, or well, in my case not even 3 are enough to began to "live" out of your work.

But still, I also believe that you can live by writting/drawing what you like, but you'll require lots of time as well to promote your work, constantly and being active with other people as well.

[Moctemma]

Hi. You have received many good replies, but I think this will be useful too.

You need to open your mind. I'm not saying that you need to write things you don't like. What I want you to realize is that your niche is valuable in ways you can't think of. Though first you need to take a break; being frustrated and desperate can blind you and prevent you to spot new opportunities. Forget everything you know about advertising, ignore it until the pressure is gone. Then you can come back to advertising your story using only the methods you believe in and understand. Don't burn yourself out.

I was such a stubborn person I wanted everything to be my way. I put a lot of effort into my stories and advertising, expecting to gain Patreons and make a living only with my web novels. The result was months of work with no income. I also had to rewrite my story, and fought as if my life depended on it on my stories to make them successful. Naturally, I couldn't handle that way of living. I stopped writing for two months and focused on my mental health. While analyzing myself, I discovered how crazy I was, wanting all my stories to succeed and expecting my income to be only my Patreons. So I opened myself to any possibilities. My stories became more than a product to sell and I still care about all of them even if they don't make money, and I also opened my mind to any possibility related to writing.

When I came back, I was surprised to find a Patreon, and a job offer from a game. There was conflict at first; I found myself thinking "Is my story doomed to only one Patreon? Will I have to write things I don't like? What other idea can I develop into a successful story?". After slapping myself, I gave my gratitude to life, my Patreon, and the person from the game.
That game is the type I used to frown upon, decision making in romance stories. I even mocked my sister for playing those. And here they were, enjoying my writing and wanting me to make a story. It was a shock, but instead of declining and continue hating on those games, I accepted.
They rejected my first idea in five days. I made the mistake to create a story thinking what they'd want. The rejection made me realize they don't want the same stuff, they approached me to have something new, so I created a story I'd like to play in that type of game.

I hope my story helps you understand what I'm talking about when I advise you to open your mind. Just like one of the comments, you can add your niche and what your story has value for, into many other things and genres. Don't close yourself into wanting to live making only one thing. Who knows what other nice experiences and opportunities are waiting for you.

[TL_Nonoke]

I'm so with you - why should you use those tropes...if the world build is good, why can't you just tell that world's story? Love it!