Seeking advice on finding niche

Aloha everyone!

I'm brand new to Pond5 and it's amazing how vast this library of content really is. That being said, it starts to feel like every topic has so many choices that our work can get lost in this giant selection.

I do a lot of drone work but it seems even that has become overly popular nowadays. I'm guessing maybe a more unusual niche would increase the chance to thrive here. I've noticed the illustration section is still relatively small.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on the benefits of following big trends vs finding more specific niche subjects.

Thanks so much guys!

Don't overthink it.

"Do what you love - success will follow!" is what I say often, and even right now with my sales at $0 on two accounts whereas I used to get $2000-$4000 month, I am hoping that holds true.

I was never one for trends. Mostly, if it comes to honesty, because I am a clueless type, and don't pay attention to popular culture. Also, a trend is just that, like a fad. They end. Then all your hard work is ... ? What you are really looking for is timeless work. That's the real ticket.

Understand that too specialised of a niche will make it harder to make sales. Generalise a bit. Experiment. Have fun. If it's not fun, don't keep doing it unless it somehow makes you money, and therefore worth it.

When I had sales, they were all over the place. Boring, badly shot clips sold. Exciting, beautiful shots I loved barely sold, but every once in a while. Random shots I almost deleted sold. Specific shots I made, at great expense or effort, did not.

Plus, if you are asking people what a good niche is, and they actually know ... do you think they would really tell you no matter how nicely you asked? Kinda like asking a mushroom hunter where their favorite morel spots are.

Good luck!

To add to what Miz said. you need to diversify. Don't stick with only drone, it's like slow-motion was years ago. Everyone did it and it was so overdone that unless you have something really rare it's not going to sell.

I agree the more broad your approach, the more you will pull people to your portfolio with keywords that are diverse and span different topics. I don't personally do that, but it is a good idea, and very logical. Also do what you love, like Miz said, I think his advice was good.

"I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on the benefits of following big trends vs finding more specific niche subjects."

Do both, experiment (again what Miz said). There was someone I can't remember who, and they had a dark room with flowers lit and a time lapse setup and they did a ton of that and it was really cool. I can't tell you if that paid off huge or what happened with it, but I think if they loved doing it then to an extent that was all that mattered, I do guess it did well though as it was really cool and original work. So if you personally have something you love, that is a little niche, give it a whirl but be well rounded with it too, do some other stuff too. That is something that I struggle to do, but I do feel like it is good for my portfolio overall.

I agree with what everyone mentioned above, especially unpredictable sales. I have wildlife clips that are very difficult to acquire just sitting there, while that last sunset landscape shot you take halfheartedly at the end of the day sells well. So diversify, and if you're thinking of deleting a clip because you feel the quality in not up to your standards, well, someone out there might be looking for just that! go figure...best of luck!