SiteSpecialist of generalist?
Many freelance writing gurus say you’ll make more money if you specialize. But some of us have trouble sticking to one field. Are generalists doomed to be poorly-paid jacks of all trades, never staying with one field long enough to work their way up the pay ladder?
The Pros and Cons
If you specialize, you’re more likely to have an in-depth knowledge of your field. For example, if you’re a nutrition writer, you’re probably reading nutrition journals, surfing nutrition news sites, and interviewing tons of experts who help you deepen your knowledge and generate more article ideas. If you’re a generalist, you’re probably too busy writing about nutrition, pets, business, and so on to have enough time to gain an in-depth knowledge of any of these things.
In addition, a writer who says in her query, “I write about pets, nutrition, marketing, lifestyle topics, the environment, and women’s issues” will likely come off to an editor as flaky.
On the other hand, I’m always preaching the need to diversify so you’re not too reliant on one income source. Diversifying can mean writing articles, books, and corporate communications…but it can also mean writing about different topics; that way, if for some reason the nutrition articles dry up, you can always turn to your knowledge of pets and business to generate replacement income. Besides, some of us are too easily bored to specialize. I know that I would go crazy if I could write in only one field, even if that field consists of many sub-topics.
The Answer for Generalists
Instead of considering myself a generalist, I consider myself a specialist within different niches: business (specifically marketing) and health (specifically nutrition and wellness). Over the years, I’ve built up a knowledge base in these two areas that I can use to generate ideas, find the best sources, and write with authority. When I pitch a nutrition idea, I list in my credentials paragraph the health magazines I’ve written for; when I’m pitching a business piece, I list the business magazines — no flakiness for me!
Are you a generalist or a specialist? What are the pros and cons? Which do you think is best? Please post your opinions and experiences in the Comments section. [lf]
