What’s Your Niche?

               I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to improve my singing, piano playing, sax playing, song writing, and recording skills.  I’ve read articles, watched videos and done plenty of research.  Through all of this I have tried to emulate many different styles and approaches.  Through all of this I have learned that when I try to emulate someone else I am never quite as good as that person.  However, I am the best Ray Melograne that is out there.

                Nobody makes a better me than me.  Once I realized this I had to answer a difficult question.  Who am I?  It seems like that question should be easy to answer, but often it isn’t.  Our judgment can easily be clouded by what we want to be, blocking us from seeing what we are.  I’ve mentioned the Batman Begins  quote before, “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”  As a Christian music artist/minister, one of the best ways to discover you’re who you are is to examine what you have done and what results those actions yielded.

                In my case, I have written several songs, lead worship and sung at special events (coffee houses, church dinners, outreaches, etc.).  I have examined and reviewed these past events for the purpose of improving.  I have notice things about my stage presence, set order, vocal delivery, etc. that I have tried to improve over the years.  However, I also noticed certain elements that stuck out as my particular niche.  Most of my original songs tend to deal with the topic of having a closer personal relationship with God.  In addition, the most memorable moments after events were the times when people would express how the lyrics of a particular song ministered to them personally.  Even while leading worship, some of the most enjoyable and memorable time occurred during the alter call (intimate times of worship).    

                I will always strive to improve as a musician, singer, and performer; however I have come to realize that those elements are not my specific niche.  I am a musical encourager.  I love to combine the message of intimacy with God with music and testimonies that creates an atmosphere of intimacy.  I am less comfortable in situations where I am expected to just entertain.  I am not saying that Christian entertainment is bad, just that it is not my specific niche.  I am a good entertainer, but it will be difficult for me to stand out as the best in that area.  However, place me in a room full of hungry, hurting or searching individuals and I can provide an atmosphere where God can impact their lives.  That is the type of situation where I feel most in my element.

                So what is your niche?  There is no such thing as a better or worse answer.  We should not try to outdo someone else’s niche.  The key is to find the area where you shine, the thing you were custom made for.  Once you identify and operate in that area, you will find that success is easier to attain.  We all need to learn to embrace the things that make us unique instead of wishing that we were like someone else.