Focus Focus – All Things to All People; Not So Much

 

Sometimes home workers (okay I dont have a big hip hip hooray for that title but it is what it is) and freelancers spread themselves too thin across a variety of tasks/skills. I believe that being all things to all projects isnt always the best mantra to chant.

Oddly when we apply for conventional jobs we look for positions that focus on one specific skill or experience but when deciding to make the leap  into the freelance pool we scramble to create a laundry list of services to offer. Graphic designers are doing book layouts, Software developers are building apps for everything from the netbook to my Kitchen Aid, SEO experts are branding everything that grows out of the ground.

Why not become an expert in one at one thing, rather than the typical “Jack of All Trades” which is followed by “master of none”, be the expert. If you are a logo designer, be the bestest, fastest, most innovative logo designer ever! There are so many new businesses, service companies and professionals hitting the market that logos are now a trade unto itself.

If you have projects going now take a look at your clients, are they appreciative of your time and your hard work? Then plan to concentrate on finding more clients like them that will enable you to get more work done during the day and you will certainly see a growth in your income.

Another indicator of where you should focus your time and work is what area of your work is generating the most income, for example again logo design comprised the marjority of income during say a 30 day period, but the projects you worked on for template design or psd to HTML did not; it is clear that logo design is going to be more profitable and I would wager a dollar that you enjoy doing it more than the other two.  Not going to be a huge shock to you but maybe logo design is something that you enjoy doing and consequently you spend more time on those jobs.

I find that  my work as an open source/PHP developer is something that I enjoy immensely, I have a minor in art and “painting” a look for a website is a way for me to enjoy what I do. That is where my focus is and it is where the majority of my income is generated. However there are other skills and experience I have that turn a dollar now and then, so I look at those opportunities closely before accepting them.

Most importantly find what works for you, dont get discouraged it might take some trial and error but be persistent.