Updated on 9/5/2019
If you only take just ONE thing away from BlackFreelance, it should be this — if you want to see any kind of success, income, or life-improvement that you can actually feel? You’re probably going to have to choose a niche.
I’m not saying it’s impossible to freelance without focus, but talk to anybody who’s been doing this more than a few years and they’ll tell you — the happiest, least stressed, and highest-earning freelancers have a relatively defined space where they do their work.
Specialization (that’s all choosing a niche is) helps you focus, find clients and work more easily, beat freelance decision fatigue before it starts, stand out from your competition (beyond just being cheaper), and makes your life as a freelancer all around easier.
It also sets you up to take your freelancing to the next level (if that’s your thing). If your goal is to push your rates to the six-figure level, open an agency, start consulting, or even launch products and software based on your experience as a freelancer, really understanding the challenges and business environment of a specific area is critical.
Use these resources to build a specialization that earns you more and makes your freelance life easier (and also to help you with Phase 2 of your Freelance Strategy Workbook.)
...and make sure to grab your copy of the BF Niche Asset Assessment (it’s really useful) when you sign up for the BlackFreelance newsletter!
Getting Started
What Choosing a Niche Really Looks Like
Niche List
Help! I Don’t Know Where to Start! (FAQ)
How to Focus as a Freelancer
Intro to Freelance Niche Dimensions
Niche Insight: Interview with Real Estate Veteran Michael Corley (real estate is a good starter-niche to consider)
How to Pick the Best, Smartest Niche for Your Freelance Business (Ed Gandia’s Podcast…directed toward writers, but good for any skillset)
Refining Your Niche
5 Ways to Use Trade Publications to Master Your Niche
Are You Wasting Your Time in a Niche with No Earning Potential?
9 Ways to Educate Yourself on Your Freelance Niche
5 Simple Specialization Questions that will Make You More Money
Additional Resources
BlackFreelance Niche Articles
The 2017 Freelance Niche Report (Smarter Freelancing)
List of trade publications by industry (WebWire )
Manta’s list of companies by industry (good for building prospect lists)
