The key benefits of freelancing in a small niche are Less competition, expertise, better rates, maintain client relationship, etc
There are numerous advantages of being a niche developer and freelancer. So here are seven key benefits I see them as a freelancer freelancing in a small niche.
1. Less Competition
The first and most crucial benefit of freelancing in a small niche is lowering the competition. As one narrow down the niche, the competition reduces significantly.
The selection of niche is based on the modern definition of mini-skirt:
It should be short enough to be interesting and long enough to hide the interest.
Taking the analogy – freelancing niche should be small enough to keep the competition away and big enough to provide you with enough opportunity to keep growing.
The best approach for a developer freelancer is to test the water and see how much the competition is. If it is too much of a competition, start narrowing the niche.
2. Increase in Expertise
As one narrows down the area of focus, over time, the developer will gain more experience and expertise in the niche technology, which makes it easier for the developer to be an expert in the niche.
I remember when I started vBulletin, I wasn’t able to locate the HTML content to make minor changes. I had used the replacement variable feature to get it done. Over time I have gained so much experience and expertise that I can tell the root cause of the issue just by reading about the issue.
3. Better Rates
The best part of freelancing in a small niche is, you can demand better rates from clients for your experience and expertise. Moreover, one can avoid competition from college programmers doing freelancing.
I am of the view that freelancers should always work in a comparatively smaller niche. Even as a SaaS company, it is better to work in a niche technology than going for a competitive market.
For those who aren’t a freelancer yet, let me explain how freelancing in a small niche can benefit the freelancer to earn better rates.
Some expertise will have better pay over others, and the main reason for such a difference in pay is because fewer developers available for a particular technology. A C++ programmer, a PHP Programmer, and an SAP programmer with the same years of experience may not be paid the same salary because there will be a lot more demand for an SAP guy compared to C++ and PHP.
The same applies to freelance. However, here we don’t compare the different technologies (SAP, C++, PHP) but expertise in a subset of the same technology (PHP > PHP Frameworks > Laravel).
4. Better Client Relationship
If there are a limited number of freelancers available, chances are clients will remember your services. As a developer, you can develop an everlasting business relationship with your clients.
I had worked for a client a long time back, more than a couple of years ago. Recently I got a message from the same client asking if I can still do willing to work for him.
5. Word of Mouth / Referral
When you focus on a niche and have satisfied clients, you tend to get a lot of word of mouth and referral customers. See the recent interaction of one of my clients on his Facebook.
We don’t expect such discussions for WordPress on FaceBook because you can find WordPress developers everywhere. vBulletin isn’t an ideal technology for new developers to enter now for sure, but the point I am trying to make is the benefits of freelancing in a small niche.
6. Lesser Risk
When you focus on a niche, the risk of not getting clients may be out of the picture.
Of course, it may add other kinds of risks related to a niche, which is the disruption of technology.
But that is true also for a highly competitive market as well.
A counter-argument can be, as a developer working in a niche or technology, will be the first to know when it can go down the drain and when one has to make a move to the new and upcoming niche.
7. Laser Focus
The best and the most effective mantra for success is to have the right kind of focus.
A niche freelancer has a higher chance of being successful because his attention is on growth with eyes and ears open to technology disruption.
Read: Essentialism – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Final Thoughts
As a developer, finding the right niche is the most crucial aspect of being successful. They can understand the freelancing market well enough to position their services to the selected set of a client.
