Recruiter Skye Moffett recently stopped into a freelancing Facebook group to share her frustration with how consultants position themselves:
“my number one issue is coming across a LinkedIn bio that is incomplete or super vague. Stop. Doing. This. It is literally costing you money with each gig you lose out on.”
Resistance to niche-ing down is often fear-based. We think we’ll get more work if we can do many things. But when you tell me that you do too many things at once, I immediately think – you’re probably good at all of those things, but not great at any of them.
Having a niche doesn’t eliminate opportunities, it creates them. Whatever it is that you do, there are thousands of people also doing it. But if you have a specific niche in your industry:
- You are automatically perceived to be an expert in that area
- People know immediately if you are someone that could solve their particular problems (and if you are, the work will come much easier)
- People will have an automatic tendency to connect you with professional colleagues and prospects who are a great fit to work with you
A therapist recently introduced herself as a specialist in Impostor Syndrome. Suddenly she seemed completely differentiated from all of the other therapists out there. I wouldn’t hesitate to pass the connection on if someone needed it.
If you’re a generalist at heart, I get it, because I am too. Here’s the key – you can always expand your services with current clients once they know and trust your work. But if you want a successful freelance practice, you would be well-served to create a specific niche.
If you want help finding your ideal niche, you can get my guide to a freelance bio that sells here. It’s all about finding and expressing your niche in a way that attracts clients.
Read my most popular post, about Imposter Syndrome in freelancing, here.
