It's a great time to be a generalist
Shove that up your niche
Holy smokes, it’s Wednesday already? This week is confusing as heck.
Anyway, today I’m jumping straight into things with an age-old freelancer debate: Generalist vs. Specialist?
While I see the benefits in having a niche, particularly one that is not well-trodden, thus elevating you above your competition, it’s times like this (see: global pandemic) where being a generalist really comes into its own.
As a freelance copywriter and web designer, I regularly get asked whether I specialise in one industry or type of business. To be honest, the answer is no. Although I do have the extensive experience in the IT, tech and software sectors, I’m not going to advertise these as my niches… because I risk becoming a one-trick pony (I couldn’t draw a pony typing, so here’s a monkey writing Shakespeare instead.)
I want to make money doing what I love: writing. But, I am aware that often the most ‘fun’ topics are not the most lucrative. So, I try to balance the higher paying work with the more interesting (to me) stuff. This way, I’ve always got a good mix going on.
After all, a mix of different work is why I am freelance. I don’t want to do the same thing all the time.
And then comes the global pandemic. Although we could have never foreseen (foresaw?) the crisis that we are now living in, I do high-five past-me for not choosing to niche-down into something like travel, sustainable living or eco-tourism, like I wanted to.
In light of the current situation, are you finding yourself growing your skillset? One great example of this I’ve seen is my friend and fellow Duenna’s Women ambassador Lauren McWilliams’ online photography training sessions for businesses. Lauren is a freelance photographer who goes by “For You Photography”, and I’m sure you can imagine how the pandemic has affected photographers! So, instead of waiting until this all blows over, Lauren is expanding her horizons and trying new things.
I’d love to hear of other examples of businesses growing their services to accommodate this new and unexplored landscape we now operate in… give me a shout on Twitter! @ContentByTheSea
Can you tell I just bought a graphics tablet? Finally fulfilling a childhood dream of taking my drawing into the digital world. Wish I’d had this bad boy back in the Deviant Art days. Instead, you’ll just have to put up with me adding cute doodles to my weekly newsletter. Unsubscribe details are below, just so you know.
I’ve also fallen down the Bullet Journal rabbit hole. For this, I can only apologise to my bank balance. I am now eagerly awaiting the delivery of my new dotted notebook, calligraphy brush pens and Crayola Super Tips because I couldn’t possibly sort my life out without all the kit.
I’ve moved on from last week’s Taylor Jenkins Reid obsession to a new book: The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I’m a little over halfway through this bizarre escapade in mythology, theology and mental health - some of the time I have no idea what’s happening but I am really enjoying it nonetheless.
And finally, Craig and I are making our way through all of the Studio Ghibli films on Netflix and last night we watched Spirited Away. Oh. My God. What did I just watch? If I know one thing for sure, it’s that Japanese kids are hard nails because that was 2hr5min of totally bizarre, often terrifying but always-brilliant cinematic genius. If you haven’t seen it, or any other SG films, I’d highly recommend them as the perfect antidote to these trying times.
What’s your favourite Studio Ghibli flick? Tell me on Twitter :)
Thanks for reading and stay safe,
Ellen xo