SiteSpecialist or 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]
10 Responses to “Specialist or generalist?”
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Diane S
Said this on September 7th, 2008 at 2:39pm:I think you have it right, Linda: for me it pays (and is less boring) to have mroe than one specialism, and to have linked specialisms. For example, my first specialism was technology, and that got me into some women’s mags, so I could diversify and write about health/lifestyle — but often with a tech angle. I also wrote about tech for a books mag, and then got into writing about books, often from a techie angle. Now I say my specialisms are books, tech and health/lifestyle… and they often link up.
Nicole LaMarco
Said this on September 7th, 2008 at 7:54pm:I think specializing is the best, but being a specialist in more than one area is even better. I specialize in ghostwriting, copywriting, business writing, PR writing, and blog writing. The only content I stay away from is technical, medical and scientific. I don’t have any specific topics I specialize in except for business.
That’s not too general, is it?
Teresa Hall
Said this on September 7th, 2008 at 10:54pm:Thanks so much for this post. This is my ongoing question. I am a generalist, but I specialize in the type of writing I do. I write some SEO, some web content, some copywriting, but my specialty is that I “get it.” I know how to understand my client and understand my audience. I write in a friendly easy to read manner that sounds professional enough that I don’t look like an idiot (I hope!) but friendly enough that it’s enjoyable to read.
Now if only I knew how to say that in a word or a tagline! One of these times, it will come to me!
Tiera
Said this on September 8th, 2008 at 8:24pm:I think I took the long way… At first I worked really hard to become as diverse as possible, so as to allow myself to take advantage of as many possible opportunities to write. Then I realized I was spreading myself too thin and needed to find my niche, so I limited myself to one topic. I soon realized that I not only did not have as many opportunities, but was also easily bored with my work. I took a long hard look at my goals and qualifications and narrowed it down to three general niche topics that I now write about. I think everyone just needs to find their own balance.
Denise Marie Anton
Said this on September 8th, 2008 at 10:04pm:Specializing can work if you have a consuming passion for your specialty and it’s broad enough to give you an endless supply of new ideas and projects.
On the other hand, a generalist can often relate more easily to readers who need highly technical material translated into accessible language.
In the end, maybe it just comes down to a matter of temperament. I can’t imagine committing myself to one specialty for the rest of my writing career. So, as an incurable generalist, I agree wholeheartedly with your advice about selective pitching: When I submit my work to a specialized niche, I highlight only the experience and publications that (I hope) demonstrate my ability to write in that niche.
LindaFormichelli
Said this on September 9th, 2008 at 9:30am:Thanks for your comments!
Teresa, one of my specialties is the type of writing I do too: I write very fast, so I’ve been billing myself as a rush writer. I sent e-mails to all my editors letting them know I’m available if they have an urgent need for a writer. I ended up getting rush assignments from Health, Pizza Today, and Target Marketing, all of which paid me more for the rush.
You can always mention your skill in “getting it” in the credentials paragraph of your query…not so much a tagline, but a description of what you do.
Valencia
Said this on September 9th, 2008 at 9:58am:Great topic! I consider myself a generalist. I spent nearly two years writing on personal finance topics. Although I became an expert in my chosen specialty, I lost excitement for the topic and I couldn’t brainstorm a fresh idea if you paid me. Now, I prefer to write on a variety of subjects. It keeps the job interesting.
Amanda Baltazar
Said this on September 10th, 2008 at 11:40pm:A great topic Linda!
I am a generalist and specialist. Like most journalists, I’m a curious person, and then I want to share what I know - by writing about it. But I’ve recently decided to just enjoy learning, or reading other people’s stories, and limit myself so I can build up a good base in a few topics, namely food (which is pretty general in itself, but I specialize on the business side of it), pharmaceuticals (which I’ve been doing for trade magazines but I’m just trying to translate into consumer magazines, and travel (I used to consider the world as my oyster, but I’m now limiting it to the Northwest, where I live.
Kate
Said this on September 13th, 2008 at 1:52pm:Sometimes you don’t have as much of a choice in the matter as you would think. I would love to be more of a generalist, but all of my clips are on technology. I got an MS in Information Systems and before I had a big body of samples my education was all I had to help me get jobs. Don’t get me wrong, the pay is good, when you have the creds to back it up, but the monotony is a bit much. I’m trying to get out there are write other things, but the progress is slow.
Demographics Gal
Said this on November 4th, 2008 at 2:52am:Like you, I’m a specialist with many niches. If you think about it, a pure generalist offers nothing of use to the average person. On the other hand, a specialist does have something to offer. And the more subjects you specialize in, the more you have to offer. This is especially true if you specialize in two different fields that complement each other . . . for example, business and IS.