Jack or Jill of all trades - Master of none ?

CarolineS · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 08:19 AM

I'm not sure whether the title is a universally used expression but if not I expect it's obvious what it means and it describes me perfectly

I'm on the verge of buying SBI but have a nagging doubt about whether I will actually find an appropriate niche or that I have sufficient passion for a specific subject. In the past I have been a photographer selling landscapes through galleries and privately, providing images for magazine articles etc. and have had a website featuring my photos for years now, which has never been a source of income through sales so I just use it as an online gallery.

I stopped selling and working as a photographer in the 'professional' sense over 4 years ago when I felt the market was just too crowded and I wanted a break. My dilemma is whether I can or should try and incorporate something of my existing site into SBI in some way, or to look at something completely fresh, I'm not very experienced or qualified in any other area. Whilst I'm quite prepared to spend the time working methodically and slowly at SBI I am slightly bothered that I may never get beyond day 2!!

Are the successful SBIers people who come into it with good background knowledge of specialized subjects, great life experience and so on - I feel like I'm just a very ordinary 50+ who doesn't want to coast towards 60+ without achieving some financial success.

Dee · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 09:14 AM

I think it helps to at least have an interest in your site topic, if not actual experience. See, I love photography, but couldn't stay still long enough to do anything serious with it. So I guess I was more an admirer than a doer. You on the other hand have all this background. Imagine the people who could benefit from your knowledge. Would a site teaching others what you know be something you'd be interested in?

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 11:02 AM

I think this is a common feeling. SBI! has a series of exercises they take you through on Day 1 or 2 (can't remember) to help you dig deep. Most people who succeed seem to have a thorough background/passion for the topic they choose but occasionally some people choose a topic they would like to learn about and learn as they go. That's sort of what happened with me and flat stomach. I had an interest based on what I had been going thru but wasn't really an "expert" until I started doing more research AFTER I began the site. So you have to at least have an interest in it and I think it helps to have some kind of personal experience with the topic.

I guess you could say the same with 2 Create a Website. I sort of learned as I went along and when I learn something new, I make videos, write articles, etc. But as Dee said, you still have to have some kind of interest to get the motivation to keep rolling out content.

CarolineS · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 11:42 AM

Hi Lisa and Dee,
Thank you both for your input. I have lots of interests but they are not passions in the sense burning me up, I also have quite a bit of knowledge about many aspects of photography but am very aware that there are masses of sites and forums where knowledge far superior to mine is handed out freely. At this stage I know nothing about monetization, perhaps if I understood better then I would be able to see my way through.

Lisa, I think that maybe I should be prepared to cast caution to the wind and enjoy learning something new as I go along, no need to be scared

My theory was to get to the point of receiving some income, however small, sooner rather than later by not being at the bottom of a very steep learning curve. Any further thoughts appreciated and thanks again.

Caroline

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolineS

Hi Lisa and Dee,
Thank you both for your input. I have lots of interests but they are not passions in the sense burning me up, I also have quite a bit of knowledge about many aspects of photography but am very aware that there are masses of sites and forums where knowledge far superior to mine is handed out freely. At this stage I know nothing about monetization, perhaps if I understood better then I would be able to see my way through.

Lisa, I think that maybe I should be prepared to cast caution to the wind and enjoy learning something new as I go along, no need to be scared

My theory was to get to the point of receiving some income, however small, sooner rather than later by not being at the bottom of a very steep learning curve. Any further thoughts appreciated and thanks again.

Caroline

I think you should read this post, Caroline.

http://blog.2createawebsite.com/2008...e-word-expert/