Comments on: Jack of all trades & master of (n)one?

By: Moshe

Moshe — Sat, 15 May 2010 12:07:44 +0000

I just suddenly realized that in this age where specialization is glorified in all places that I am something else, the jack of all traders. I can learn everything quickly but can’t finish things and close them. This makes me great at exploring new technologies, building architectures etc.

So I searched google for people who are on the same boat. This is the first link I stumbled into. Perhaps it’s time to make Jack of All Traders forum to discuss it. Maybe LinkedIn will be the best place?

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:54:05 +0000

Great way to solve this is to concentrate on what you best and partner with other professionals in our field. Most designers dont have pritning presses and warehouses of paper so, but we need printers to do our jobs. I think having a network of other creative professionals on your team works. I have a list of pritners, copy writers, photographers, programmers and other people I call. And there are times when you may get a job that you need extra man power. I refer to thse peopel as vendors or sub contractors, I call them partners because they have an imprtant role in delivering what the client needs.

By: John

John — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:27:33 +0000

I am of all trades! I even branded my self like that. I am john from johnofalltype. i wish i could master one but i spread my self everywhere. I like it, it keeps me busy.

By: BiG-TonY

BiG-TonY — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:46:48 +0000

I know exactly what your saying. I am slightly experienced in almost every aspect computer wise.

Whether it be Physical (A+), Networking, Exploiting,c Programming,Web Design,Graphic Design etc.

The problem is I am not “fluent” enough in any of them to build a successful job out of. I am currently in school for an Associates in Web Design so hopefully that will narrow it down a little bit.

By: Tommy of RogueStar

Tommy of RogueStar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:46:35 +0000

I’m a pretty good online marketer but am absolutely clueless when it comes to web design. However part of what I preach is that web design is vital because you’re going to spend the time “bringing people home” than you want to make sure that you have clean sheets they can get lost in.

This is why I’ve been “collecting” freelancers to work with and am starting a company that offers web design, Seo social and video optimization, as well as video production. I’m the master of the marketing and am informed enough to be a part of the video production to have enough on my plate and still have some creative influence. I’ve got a good eye for aesthetics and am enough of a critic to be able to judge design to help make it better but am not a designer.

I think what is most important is to always play to your strengths, but to work with people who compliment the areas you lack to fill in the gaps. That way you can form a cohesive unit who collectively is pretty hard to match up against.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:18:51 +0000

I have the same problem. If you try to do everything you have complete control of everything. The problem is that this doesn’t leave you much time for personal projects or, in my case, keeping up with my blog.

Personally, I am in the midst of restructuring my freelance business where I narrow my services down so I can perform them faster while leaving me extra time for my projects. The other stuff, though, like accounting and client relations will have still have to be done by me until another solution to freeing my time of these is found. I don’t see it any time soon.