I agree that specific niche attracts more targeted organic traffic but makes backlinks really hard. The competition is not that huge as in broad niche, but all the sites within your niche are your rivals and will never link to you.

I believe that social marketing is the way in your case, articles, press releases, they all bring links too. Maybe links from adjoining niche sites will help, or at least they will bring you readers.

Good luck in linkbuilding.

And thank you for interesting posts in your blog.

BTW, Love your last Article! A great story with a meaning I can closely relate to. Thanks for commenting and allowing me to find it
Alex