Thread: Specialization

So, it's pretty much guaranteed that specialization will allow you to raise your rates and do the kind of work you want to do. However, is this really the best way to go?

If you freelance, do you specialize in a certain area?
If you don't freelance, do you want someone who specializes?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of specialization?

I'm really interested in hearing what you guys think.

I personally don't specialize simply because I haven't found something I really love doing. Sometimes I like writing articles, sometimes I enjoy press releases, and sometimes I proofread.

Specialization is a great concept which has brought enormous advantages to humanity through both massively increased efficiently and scientific advances which were only possible due to very deep focuses on tiny niches of knowledge.

That being said, I can't do it. My left brain approves of specialization; my right brain recoils in shock at the thought of it. Specialization seems like a nice thing for "other people." For myself, I tend to live more along the lines of this quote from Robert Heinlein:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

I've never specifically gone looking for a freelancer who specializes in an area.. I prefer them to be well rounded, so they will know what is expected in terms of design, seo, keywords, etc. Well-rounded freelancers tend to know precisely what you require from them.