If you are a freelancer or even a small business, one of the first ideas you have to get used to is that you can’t be everything to everyone. If you want to be a database guru, you may not have time to learn everything there is to know about Flash. If you want to know Photoshop so thoroughly that you could teach a class on the subject, you may not have time to get your sales and marketing plan as polished as it needs to be. My point being it’s extremely difficult to run a thriving business that provides every possible service without outside help.

So what to do when your client is asking for things outside of your comfort zone? You could always just pass on that client. If there’s a line of people outside your door who just want to deal with your specialty, this is a no-brainer. There are going to be times, though, when you want (or financially need) to make things work.

The next option is to try to do the work yourself. You’ll have to decide on a case-by-case basis how far outside your comfort zone a particular request is. If the work will only stretch you a little, this can be a very good approach. It’s a great way to expand your skill set.

If you would really be reaching to do the work, you’re better off outsourcing or collaborating with someone who specializes in that area. Here are a few reasons why:

1. You don’t know the work well enough to accurately predict how long it will take.
2. The final product may look like you were learning as you went and reflect poorly on you.
3. You’re missing an opportunity to build profitable relationships.

Take a look at that last item again. Let’s say you’re a database specialist who needs Flash work done, and you know nothing about Flash. In all likelihood, there’s a Flash specialist out there who knows nothing about databases. If you get to know each other, you’ll be able to send work back and forth to each other that matches each of your areas of expertise.

If you decide to learn Flash on your own instead, now you’re in direct competition with the Flash specialist. You probably aren’t as good at the Flash work since it isn’t your primary focus, and your new competition isn’t going to be sending you any database work (where you really shine).

filed under: Finding Work