One of my favorite freelance sites, FreelanceSwitch, has an interesting article. It discusses the pros and cons of being a generalist versus a specialist in regards to your freelance business.

I’ve been thinking about this very subject a lot lately. Over the years, I’ve written on a variety of subjects and worn numerous writing hats. Editor. Copywriter. Marketing Consultant. Ghostwriter. In the fields of childhood education, retail (from tanning salons to baby shoes, wholesale (ask me anything you want about how to manufacture and sell a tombstone – I’m your girl!), real estate, finance, credit…you name it.

And honestly, I love it all. I’ve learned a lot of things. Honed a lot of skills.

But there’s something to be said about specialization. When it comes to certain industries, I know my shit. I mean, I seriously know my shit.

And I’m not trying to be crass. And I’m not trying to be cocky. It’s just the God’s honest truth.

And in the industries I don’t know? Well, typically I find something that gets me going, tickles my fancy (insert witty metaphor here).

When it comes down to it, I love writing and I love business. Especially the marketing aspect.

Who woulda thunk it?

Not me, the girl who dreamed of writing fiction books and selling said books worldwide.

Not that that can’t happen. But the business side of me has taken over. I know the reality of fiction. And how hard it is to get your break, and then to keep creative control. Blah blah blah. I can still write whatever I want. But writing non-fiction articles and books for professionals who lack the time, I get a kick out of that. And helping businesses position themselves for great things to come? Exciting stuff in my mind!!!

So back to the niche thing. I find myself working a lot of what I know. Real Estate, Mortgages, Credit…because it’s what I know and people recognize that. But I write the other stuff because I get excited. I get almost as passionate as the business owners about their products and services. And it shows in my work. So I don’t think I’m a generalist or a specialist, at least not straight down the Mason-Dixon line. I’m a bit of both and I like it that way