Comments on: Generalist or Specialist? (P.S. Seeking a Few Successful Generalists for Webinar…) http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6 Income-boosting resources for commercial writers Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:48:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jerry Jowers http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-4801 Jerry Jowers Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:24:11 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-4801 How Ya Doin was just surfing around the social bookmark sites looking for some new reading posts when i found this post on yahoo search. I had to write you a post to say that I genuinely enjoyed this blog post. I just cannot come across a lot high quality anymore on the world wide web anymore with all the junk out there so any time I do see a beneficial blog post I treasure it. Keep up the wonderful work and I am sure this website is going to go a long ways and come to be pretty well known How Ya Doin was just surfing around the social bookmark sites looking for some new reading posts when i found this post on yahoo search. I had to write you a post to say that I genuinely enjoyed this blog post. I just cannot come across a lot high quality anymore on the world wide web anymore with all the junk out there so any time I do see a beneficial blog post I treasure it. Keep up the wonderful work and I am sure this website is going to go a long ways and come to be pretty well known

]]> By: The Well-Fed Writer Blog » Generalist vs. Specialist, Part Two: FREE Webinar September 17th! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1769 The Well-Fed Writer Blog » Generalist vs. Specialist, Part Two: FREE Webinar September 17th! Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:52:18 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1769 [...] Back in July on this blog, we explored the age-old issue for commercial freelancers: “In my commercial copywriting business, Should I be a generalist or a specialist?” (Read it here). [...] [...] Back in July on this blog, we explored the age-old issue for commercial freelancers: “In my commercial copywriting business, Should I be a generalist or a specialist?” (Read it here). [...]

]]> By: Ken Norkin http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1731 Ken Norkin Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:45:33 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1731 I'd say I'm a generalist who specializes in b2b tech marketing communications. I fit your definition of a generalist in that I write in almost every form, format and medium: print and broadcast ads, marketing collateral from single sheets up to 12-page brochures with multiple inserts and everything in between, annual reports, white papers, Web pages, email newsletters, speeches, exhibits, press releases, audio-video presentations. I'm a specialist in that most of my work supports the marketing of technology-based products and services. But that's not all I do. And just as your graphic design client turns to you for all her copywriting requirements, I've got a couple of studios who similarly rely on me. One was my largest source of work for most of this decade; another tech-oriented b2b marcomm agency was my largest source for the first half of my freelance career from 1991 through 2001. Anyway, doing good work for agencies and studios that have lots of different clients is what continually opened doors to me to assignments that I might not otherwise get if I had to compete for them directly -- for example, consumer-targeted radio spots and the very fun and consumery subscriber newsletter for a nationwide high speed Internet provider. For the future, especially as my 60s rapidly approach, I'd like to become a bit more of a specialist and transition into doing mostly annual reports and white papers -- fewer, but higher paying, projects. But I need to think about how to make that happen. And with this being a down year for me in terms of volume, I'm taking on every assignment I can get. Ken I’d say I’m a generalist who specializes in b2b tech marketing communications.

I fit your definition of a generalist in that I write in almost every form, format and medium: print and broadcast ads, marketing collateral from single sheets up to 12-page brochures with multiple inserts and everything in between, annual reports, white papers, Web pages, email newsletters, speeches, exhibits, press releases, audio-video presentations.

I’m a specialist in that most of my work supports the marketing of technology-based products and services.

But that’s not all I do. And just as your graphic design client turns to you for all her copywriting requirements, I’ve got a couple of studios who similarly rely on me. One was my largest source of work for most of this decade; another tech-oriented b2b marcomm agency was my largest source for the first half of my freelance career from 1991 through 2001.

Anyway, doing good work for agencies and studios that have lots of different clients is what continually opened doors to me to assignments that I might not otherwise get if I had to compete for them directly — for example, consumer-targeted radio spots and the very fun and consumery subscriber newsletter for a nationwide high speed Internet provider.

For the future, especially as my 60s rapidly approach, I’d like to become a bit more of a specialist and transition into doing mostly annual reports and white papers — fewer, but higher paying, projects. But I need to think about how to make that happen. And with this being a down year for me in terms of volume, I’m taking on every assignment I can get.

Ken

]]> By: Peter Bowerman http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1682 Peter Bowerman Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:14:43 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1682 Thanks Eileen, And yes, Brian, I'm not surprised at the 25 % jump in income - the power of specializing, which you SHOULD do if some specific arena really calls to you. And Tom, your story is typical and a smart strategy - it's always a good idea to leverage what you know out of the gate, even if you don't want to specialize in that arena over the long haul. But you might as well make it easier on yourself when starting and then branch out once you have the portfolio and contact base to do so. PB Thanks Eileen, And yes, Brian, I’m not surprised at the 25 % jump in income – the power of specializing, which you SHOULD do if some specific arena really calls to you. And Tom, your story is typical and a smart strategy – it’s always a good idea to leverage what you know out of the gate, even if you don’t want to specialize in that arena over the long haul. But you might as well make it easier on yourself when starting and then branch out once you have the portfolio and contact base to do so.

PB

]]> By: tom barnett http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1680 tom barnett Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:33:18 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1680 I have been in the commercial writing field for two years so far and have found a fair amount of success. What I found however, is that my work experience and domain knowledge helped me gain my first 'in' in the commercial writing field. I hope to transpose myself to a generalist in the future - however, right now being a 'niche' writer is serving me well. I have been in the commercial writing field for two years so far and have found a fair amount of success. What I found however, is that my work experience and domain knowledge helped me gain my first ‘in’ in the commercial writing field.

I hope to transpose myself to a generalist in the future – however, right now being a ‘niche’ writer is serving me well.

]]> By: Brian Westbye http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1678 Brian Westbye Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:33:49 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1678 25% jump in income?!?!? Hmmm...I'm liking the sound of specializing all of a sudden! 25% jump in income?!?!? Hmmm…I’m liking the sound of specializing all of a sudden!

]]> By: Eileen Coale http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1676 Eileen Coale Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:08:54 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1676 I'm an ex-generalist, now specializing in dietary supplements and alternative health products and services. It's an area I'm passionate about, and I found it much easier to focus my marketing efforts once I chose a niche. I also saw my income jump by about 25% the first year I made the change. But I really have the best of both worlds - because clients still remember me from my generalist days and hire me. Currently I have two large alternative health projects I'm working on (a magalog and a supplement website launch) and this week I've also churned out a brochure for a non-profit organization and a profile of an industry executive. It's a common misconception that once you become a specialist, you won't ever be able to mix it up with non-niche projects again, but I haven't found that to be the case. About 24% of my work is outside my niche. I’m an ex-generalist, now specializing in dietary supplements and alternative health products and services. It’s an area I’m passionate about, and I found it much easier to focus my marketing efforts once I chose a niche. I also saw my income jump by about 25% the first year I made the change. But I really have the best of both worlds – because clients still remember me from my generalist days and hire me. Currently I have two large alternative health projects I’m working on (a magalog and a supplement website launch) and this week I’ve also churned out a brochure for a non-profit organization and a profile of an industry executive. It’s a common misconception that once you become a specialist, you won’t ever be able to mix it up with non-niche projects again, but I haven’t found that to be the case. About 24% of my work is outside my niche.

]]> By: Peter Bowerman http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1672 Peter Bowerman Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:31:50 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1672 Thanks Caitlin, Brian and Devon! Caitlin, here's to many many more... And Brian and Devon, you sound like happy generalists just like me! It IS a lot more interesting life, as I see it. And to echo Devon, in tough times, being a generalist can definitely make it easier to keep a wider range of clients happy. And yes, I could make more as a specialist, but wouldn't have as much fun, and that would take a lot of the joy out of it. PB Thanks Caitlin, Brian and Devon!

Caitlin, here’s to many many more… And Brian and Devon, you sound like happy generalists just like me! It IS a lot more interesting life, as I see it. And to echo Devon, in tough times, being a generalist can definitely make it easier to keep a wider range of clients happy. And yes, I could make more as a specialist, but wouldn’t have as much fun, and that would take a lot of the joy out of it.

PB

]]> By: Devon Ellington http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1670 Devon Ellington Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:21:59 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1670 Generalist and anti-niche. I love the fact that I can write about anything that interests me and get paid for it. I write a lot of fiction and scripts, and publish under a half a dozen names in both fiction and non-fiction. The early part of the year was when I made much more money from the fiction than the business writing; however, my business writing client base has steadily grown over the past few months again. Pro: I hate structure, so I love being able to create every day as it happens. The bigger the swatch of unscheduled time I have, the more productive I grow. I love being able to follow anything that interests me, and pick and choose the types of projects I want to work on. I love being able to travel and experience new things and just take a day off if I want (provided I've met my deadlines). And during the recession, having wide abilities made it easier for me to land work, while I watched many of my specialist colleagues flail and panic. And royalties make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Plus, they pay the bills, so I can keep on the heat in the winter months! Cons: I could probably make larger amounts of money more quickly by specializing. Fiction has a much longer time between creation and publication than business writing. However, the royalties make up for it, and my royalties got me through lean months this winter. It's a trade-off I'm willing to make. Another con is, because I do many different things, I have to have many variations on marketing materials, and, because I'm constantly publishing, they need to be updated frequently. Sometimes I let that slide, due to volume of deadlined work, and then it's a pain to catch up. I'm willing to deal with the cons because the pros outweigh them by so much. Generalist and anti-niche. I love the fact that I can write about anything that interests me and get paid for it. I write a lot of fiction and scripts, and publish under a half a dozen names in both fiction and non-fiction. The early part of the year was when I made much more money from the fiction than the business writing; however, my business writing client base has steadily grown over the past few months again.

Pro: I hate structure, so I love being able to create every day as it happens. The bigger the swatch of unscheduled time I have, the more productive I grow. I love being able to follow anything that interests me, and pick and choose the types of projects I want to work on. I love being able to travel and experience new things and just take a day off if I want (provided I’ve met my deadlines). And during the recession, having wide abilities made it easier for me to land work, while I watched many of my specialist colleagues flail and panic. And royalties make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Plus, they pay the bills, so I can keep on the heat in the winter months!

Cons: I could probably make larger amounts of money more quickly by specializing. Fiction has a much longer time between creation and publication than business writing. However, the royalties make up for it, and my royalties got me through lean months this winter. It’s a trade-off I’m willing to make. Another con is, because I do many different things, I have to have many variations on marketing materials, and, because I’m constantly publishing, they need to be updated frequently. Sometimes I let that slide, due to volume of deadlined work, and then it’s a pain to catch up.

I’m willing to deal with the cons because the pros outweigh them by so much.

]]> By: Brian Westbye http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/generalist-or-specialist-p-s-seeking-a-few-successful-generalists-for-webinar%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1#comment-1662 Brian Westbye Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:16:09 +0000 http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog/?p=55#comment-1662 Hah! If ever there were a label for me, it's generalist. I started out as a music critic. My first paid FLCW gig was a membership renewal direct mail campaign for Audubon. From there, I've written web copy for a multi-millionaire Austrailian businessman, an orthodontist in Long Beach, CA, a community college in Ann Arbor, MI and product blurbs for an online emporium for baby gear. (And I'm not a parent, nor a student!) I always say, keep your eyes open, and take whatever makes (dollars and) sense. Ya never know. Hah! If ever there were a label for me, it’s generalist. I started out as a music critic. My first paid FLCW gig was a membership renewal direct mail campaign for Audubon. From there, I’ve written web copy for a multi-millionaire Austrailian businessman, an orthodontist in Long Beach, CA, a community college in Ann Arbor, MI and product blurbs for an online emporium for baby gear. (And I’m not a parent, nor a student!) I always say, keep your eyes open, and take whatever makes (dollars and) sense. Ya never know.

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