Newsletter #14: The Need to Niche Down
And why I hate that
Bro. I don’t know what I’m doing haha
I have SO many plans. SO many things I want to be doing. And only so much sanity in my little lady brain.
I’m thinking of deleting my smut instagram, adding all that content to my main insta and totally rebranding how I talk about my writing to just describing it as “spicy fan fiction” so I can be a little bit more middle of the road and palatable while still being irreverent and truthful.
I want to pursue indie film.
I want to pursue TV.
I want to start building a voiceover booth.
I want to teach a class on how to make solo show.
I wantED to do a sort of monthly magic circle but that impulse keeps dissipating despite everyone that I talk to about it being excited by it!
We are trying to take Man Up to Edinburgh this summer.
I still very much need to find paying work perhaps in the social media/copywriting world.
I LOVE writing this newsletter.
I want to write a short film about a girl who writes smut but is incapable of talking about what she actually wants in bed that has obviously nothing to do with me.
I MIGHT wanna make video content for this newsletter???
^That’s me, trying to eat all my dreams.
And I wonder if I’m falling into my own old trap of workaholism in order to avoid some serious emotional stuff. OR if I am just this excited about all these things!!
And the answer is probably in the middle.
I feel my best when I’m working, when I’m passionate, when I’m moving TOWARDS.
And the advice I get from every entrepreneur, social media coach, acting coach, man on the street, is that I need to “niche down.” And oh sweet baby does that advice make me want to throw up.
If you’re not in the creative entrepreneurial blog-osphere hell scape that I am, you may be unfamiliar with the advice to “niche down” but it basically just means that if you do too many things (therefore promote too many things), then your audience, your customers, your potential instagram followers etc. get confused and they are less likely to follow you, buy your services, hire you.
But what do you do if you’re like me, and you have so many goals and passions that light such a fire under your butt and pull you towards them?
What if you’re like me, and you literally get sad when you haven’t spent time on one of your passions in a bit because you were so focused on another one?
Sure I don’t want to create confusion in my audience. Sure I understand logically you simply can’t do EVERYTHING at once at the same time.
But also…what if you could??
What IF all of my passions inform each other and lead into successes with each other?
Because I took a commercial acting class and because I do improv, I booked a supporting role in this really cool short film of which the script is nominated for Best Screenplay at Slamdance.
I mean no, I do not know yet how writing spicy fan fiction will impact my other goals exactly…but doing things that make me happy sure as heck impacts my goals! Spending time on things that make me happy for their sake, sustains my mental health, my relationships, inspires me to think outside of the box.
And this is all with the permission to let things go as I need to.
What if I have multiple north stars that are all leading me down the same path of living what I love to do?
I invite you this month to live as an influencer where all of your interests and goals have the same destination; lighting up your life. Where everything you do, want, and show to the world adds up to who you are. And let that inspire the people you need to be drawn to you.
Man Up Holiday Special recording is live!
The Man Up Holiday Special went so freaking well you can now watch the whole thing on Youtube! And please do! So many people worked so hard to make this show magical. There’s amazing guest performances, original music, dancing, and costume changes?? Literally what more could you ask for.
Singing anime theme songs at I Don’t Wanna See That!
I’ll be singing two of my favorite anime theme songs with Robert at this really cool variety show called I Don’t Wanna See That?!??! featuring so many performers who are doing wild and beautiful things hosted by Darius Lamont.
Stuff To Check Out
Shows
PIT Ensembles - Exceptional improvisers working together to bring audiences the exhilarating, supportive, and one of a kind experience of long form improvisation. Every other Thursday, 7 and 8pm at The PIT.
First Flight: A New Works Showcase - Featuring four comedic & socially conscious one-act plays making their NY premiere, performed by undiscovered NYC actors (including Man Up writer Nell Kesller), directed by exceptional guest artists, written by emerging playwrights. Last performance January 27th, 3pm at The Tank.
Story TBD: An Evening of Short Plays - Story TBD explores the generative act through an evening of one-act plays and improv. Featuring the first play written by past guest poster and Cheeky Sketch Show creator, Anna Dashem! Multiple times January 27th - 31st at The Tank.
Can We Kick It? - A storytelling event that is an open invitation to experience. Hear and witness brilliant minds and delicious words in the spirit of community. Featuring super talented Jack Dominick among others. January 31st, 7:30pm at Plowshares Coffee.
Ze Follies Doree Presents A French Fantasia on Februarial Themes - See for yourself what theatre can look like when it does not have ze boot of capitalism crushing its already concave chest! Featuring the wonderful and talented Josh Reiter. Every Friday in February, 7pm at BCC.
Love is Live - Mayhem and Camp all dressed up for a real live dating show! Hosted by the hilarious and beautiful Olivia Benedict, Mackenzie Jaquish, and Erin Gonyeau. Every 1st Saturday of the Month.
Pretty Sick: A Variety Show Fundraiser - Award winning filmmaker Olivia Benedict’s new film Sick Enough is based on true stories of eating disorder recovery and she along with Pretty Funny Comedy are hosting a fundraiser for the film. It’s a really important topic and definitely a project to support if you can! February 4th, 3pm at The PIT.
Newsletters
Spoon Afternoon - My coffee date writing buddy Jenna Rice writes a new lovely Substack about food, feelings, and anything else she damn well please. It’s a beautiful read.
Meter Made- Robert Price shares poems by influential authors that keep your heart warm and make you think.
Chloe Hawker’s Newsletter - Chloe Hawker writes a newsletter about her writing process, her comedy projects, recommendations, and a new section I’m personally really excited about called “The Uncomfy Corner” where she’ll be writing about intentionally getting out of her comfort zone!
Art
Alan Metnick - Yes that’s my Dad lol. You may remember him from my post about my trip to Poland and all of the incredible work he’s doing there. He makes dope freaking art and photography and you should check it out! You can even get his book Captured In Memory: Photographs and Thoughts on Poland.
Poetry
Gee Duffey - My marvelous poetry friend. Here’s an excerpt from her collection All My Rounded Parts due for self-publication April 21, 2024. Follow her on instagram for updates on the project!
Music
Robert Price - Yeah, I’m biased but Robert makes really amazing music. His album Did You Eat My Songs Yet is so fun and meaningful and catchy. He also may or may not have written an album for me when we started dating lol called Excited. One of my favorite songs on that album is “The Right Way.” He has individual songs and full albums on Youtube, Soundcloud, & Bandcamp.
Emma Young - Such chill and interesting vibes! Feels like pulsating New York City nights. Listen on Spotify & Apple Music.
Videos
One of my best friends Bix Giegerich directed this stunning music video for Shallou!
Also this stand up bit by Makenzie Jaquish!
Livestreams
Cosmos Creative TV - Reneé Yaworsky hosts a myriad of shows through Cosmos Creative TV that range from the humorous and joyful, to the thought-provoking and inspiring, to the moving & eye-opening. It’s always great conversations among creatives and they stream multiple times throughout the week. Check out their Youtube page.
AGreenQueen on Twitch - Fellow anime nerd Alli Green has started her own gaming livestream! She’s currently playing Genshin Impact which she has told me is gay and magical! Check out her Twitch page for her schedule.
Classes
Improv Drop In - Multiple times throughout the week for people of all levels and taught by all stars including but NOT limited to; Dana Shulman, Sydney Duncan, Kim Alu, and Jenny Bareilles! Get your reps in!
Level 1 Improv at The PIT - Taught by my Level 1 teacher Dana Shulman! I took Dana’s class years ago and I highly recommend her for people new and nervous to improv!
The LaughtHER Collective - A modern comedy school amplifying underrepresented voices led by amazing professional stand ups, Christi Chiello and Hope D. They have so many classes to choose from, along with a newsletter and helpful resources on their Instagram and their blog.
Podcast
Our Anime Show Podcast - Best friends Alli Green and Gio Patrick discuss all things anime! You can even find their episode with ME on it, from when I first entered my anime renaissance last year. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Open Mics
Sam and Friends - A warm and welcoming open mic where our priority is community and belonging. Poetry, music, storytelling, & more! Hosted by the wonderful Sam Theuring. Tuesdays, sign up is at 7pm at Roots Cafe.
Calls for Submissions
Andy Got Talent - Hosted by Andy Spector and Andy Vega for all types of talent! Submissions due January 26th.
What I’m Loving
My Anime Playlist!!!
I made an anime playlist of just some of my favorite intros and outro songs and good golly gosh I think you should listen to it!
Every newsletter I highlight one of the songs on the playlist and tell you why I love it so much. You need not know any of the anime to enjoy this music I promise you, the songs are THAT GOOD.
Mixed Nuts by Official Hige Dandism
I truly feel like a broken record at this point, but these songs just makes me feel LIFE, I don’t know how else to describe it. This one is the zany, messy, chaotic, and also insanely hopeful and powerful parts of life. Feels like a party. I hope you listen and have so much fun like I do whenever it comes on.
If you’ve made it this far in the newsletter, I am so so grateful for you! It means you most likely support what I do and want to see more of it.
Because I’ve worked so hard on this newsletter and making art in the city isn’t cheap, I’m going to be taking the bold bold step of turning on paid subscriptions for this Substack! I will be keeping all of my regular monthly content free so a paid subscription is mostly an indication of your support of my work.
For those that pledge a paid subscription through the button below before February 1st, you will get an individual shout out on my Instagram (@magnadoodler) and a personal one card Faery Oracle reading. If you pledge a yearly subscription, you will receive a shout out on Insta, and a three card Faery Oracle reading. And if you become a “Founding Member” of the Substack then you will receive a shout out and a 1-1 Creative Consultation via Zoom with me!
I hope you consider pledging your support but if you are not able to at this time, absolutely no worries!! You can still win some of these perks if you refer your friends to my Substack and they use your referral link to subscribe!
He has a whole book too?! This wonder of a man.