Niching Case Study: Greg Macdougall

Telling stories of, and providing learning for, people and movements working to create positive socially-just change.

equitableeducation.ca

#sytycn2014

Tad’s Rating:

4/10

Contest Rating:

6/10

Average Rating:

5/10

Tad’s Comments:

Right now this is a 4 for me.

What I’d need for it to be a 10 is to understand the problem you’re solving.

If your ideal clients are on Island A, struggling with a burning problem and craving to be on Island B where there’s a result they want – then your project is a boat that can help take them from one island to the other.

What you’ve written describes who’s on Island A (those working to create positive, socially-just change) and the boat (telling stories and providing learning for these people).

But what I don’t get is the relevance. Why does this matter? What’s the problem you’re solving? Why do they want the stories and education?

If you were to say, “I help social justice activists be more effective/kick more ass,” I’d get it.

If you said, “I help social studies teachers bring their classes alive by sharing local success stories of social justice victories,” I’d get it.

But I’m not sure I get this. . . . are you sharing the stories of good people with the world? Are you sharing the stories with the good people?

And I love your work for social justice. So much.

Niching Contest Participant Comments:

5/10: I’m confused about the statement.

5/10: I’m not sure on the problem. I know that there are stories involved – are you tell them? Or are you getting your clients to tell them? The outcome is positive social change but how do you arrive at that through storytelling? Having both the story telling and the learning aspect in the statement is too complicated.

3/10: I had to read this 10 times before I got exactly what you were trying to say. If your promoting storytelling and teaching you better be sharp with the wording right off. Though I like the idea, the statement is very weak.

What kind of learning? And telling stories to what end? Your blurb could describe someone who produces documentaries as much as it describes a corporate coach for the nonprofit sector. Intriguing nonetheless.

9/10 – A hint as to the process of how? Great niche, bravo.

6/10: Not sure about who tells the stories?

6/10: I am giving the post a 6 for the same reason. I think you could be more specific and clear. . . “I am a facilitator who uses stories to support groups and groups working for social justice? Or social change?”

7/10: I’m not sure what “providing learning for” means. Go Greg!

9/10: Clear to me.

6.5/10: Somewhat complicated sentence, Greg. Providing learning for a socially-just change? Plus what that learning entails?

7/10: I give this a 7 only because I am cloudy on exactly who your target market is.

4/10: I’m really unclear on what you do. Is it storytelling? And how will that help me?

8/10: I love learning through storytelling and I imagine from this that your work is very interesting.

8/10: 8 seems right, and if possible find a slightly more specific explanation of what “learning” is. Good luck Greg!

8/10: I realize that you must be very concise here, but the “people and movements” part is still a bit broad to me.

6/10: People and movements can be totally different or the same thing. Movements are made up of people. How are you helping? What kind of learning are you providing? Is it inspiration? Ideas for change-making?

7/10: Are you a coach? A socially conscious blogger? An advocate for alternative education? Not sure.

Greg Macdougall’s Reflections:

n/a

The Revised Niche:

n/a