We live in a world of specialization, but you must be careful not to specialize your way out of the marketplace. This applies to both online and offline professions. You want to make sure that your skills are broad enough to carry you through for years to come.
Think about the medical professionals we have all gone to at some point during our lives. Even if I find myself seeing a dermatologist or cardiologist, I feel better knowing that they also have excellent general information they can draw on to help me with my particular situation.
This can also be true for business. I have a variety of insurance policies, including medical, home, and earthquake coverage. I chose an insurance agent that had specialized knowledge, but could still answer my questions about everything I need from his company.
These are examples of specialists who have general knowledge. They are more attractive to their clients because we know we can go to them with a variety of questions and situations. Now think about your own business. Have you become too specialized?
When I was choosing a niche on the Internet, I decided to specialize in eBooks. My niche involved teaching people how to write and market an eBook on their topic. This worked well for me, and I was able to build my business during that year. I knew that I wanted to move on to more general training with Internet marketing, but I needed a specialization first in order to do that. As my clients begin to have more broad questions, I slowly moved away from eBooks and into the wider arena. Just three years later, very few people even remember that I once had a specialization with eBook writing and marketing.
Choose a broad niche. Then choose a small area to specialize in. Over the course of the next year move from where you are now into where you want to be. You will have more business as a result, and when the market or industry changes, you will be there to make the adjustment with your products and services.
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