So, about 2-3 times per day I run into this advice that, as a writer, I should choose a niche- a specialty- and mine the heck out of it. And every day I ignore it.
Or do I?
Why do I continue to keep operating as a generalist? Because it works for me. Because I have more business than I can shake a stick at. (Sorry, clients, for that violent stick-shaking incident). Because I might actually have over 12 niches. . .which brings me back to this “generalist” word.
What do you think? Do you have a niche? Would you like to advertise it FOR FREE in my comments? 
If I have 12 niches that I’ve published/worked in, does that autmomatically make me a generalist?
Agreed. Freelancers absolutely have to be generalists. You can pick one niche for yourself, if you like, but if you don’t know a little something in various niches, it might be tough finding work. On the flipside, if you’re an expert in one single, very popular niche, you could get by. But what happens if that market falls?
Ha Allenia, you are exactly right!
It’s working for me too. I have a least four areas that I write about regularly and so far it is helping the money come in, not the other way around.
Excellent post. It is very refreshing to see someone successful post the “other” view.
~Connie
Well I’m a jerk. Allena. Not Allenia. Sorry about that
lol Connie, if you call me successful, you can get my name wrong all you want
Raj, I was ecstatic to see such a big name on my blog, thanks.
Allena: Who, me?
I’m so not.
Whatever Raj. Who HASN’T heard of Raj Dash
Why Freelancers Need Multiple Skills: Handling the Feast or Famine Phenomenon - FreelanceSwitch - The Freelance Blog // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:00 pm
[...] We all know the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But is there anything wrong with being very good at one thing and not too bad at a few other things? As a freelancer, are you a specialist or a generalist? [...]
thinkerpool.com: » Why Freelancers Need Multiple Skills: Handling the Feast or Famine Phenomenon // Jun 25, 2008 at 8:14 pm
[...] We all know the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But is there anything wrong with being very good at one thing and not too bad at a few other things? As a freelancer, are you a specialist or a generalist? [...]
Why Freelancers Need Multiple Skills: Handling the Feast or Famine Phenomenon » lost node rss // Jun 27, 2008 at 8:42 am
[...] We all know the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But is there anything wrong with being very good at one thing and not too bad at a few other things? As a freelancer, are you a specialist or a generalist? [...]
Why Freelancers Need Multiple Skills: Handling the Feast or Famine Phenomenon // Jul 2, 2008 at 6:57 am
[...] We all know the old saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” But is there anything wrong with being very good at one thing and not too bad at a few other things? As a freelancer, are you a specialist or a generalist? [...]