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Abstract

amily traditions. I could write about my family.</p><figure id="06d6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*v6VS5YX0SW1DjaXomqqOsg.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@citrusboy?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Onur Bahçıvancılar</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hats?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="5952">The Pet Parent Hat</h2><p id="6a1d">I’ve owned pets since I was a child. We don’t want to discuss how long that’s been. But, I’ve had numerous cats and dogs. I’ve rescued quite a few. I could write about how to keep them healthy. I could write about training them. I could write about having cats and dogs together.</p><h2 id="24a3">The Professional Mover Hat</h2><p id="8f6a">I’ve lived on the West Coast. I’ve lived in the Southwest. I’ve lived on the East Coast. I could write about moving. I could write about packing. I could write about the communities I’ve lived in. I could write about how to hire a moving company.</p><h2 id="6851">The Apartment Hat</h2><p id="1327">I rented for many years. I could write about how to choose an apartment when you don’t know the area. I could write about how to deal with landlords who don’t want to fix or upgrade appliances. I could write about how to get out of a lease. I could write about reading a lease. I could write about decorating a small apartment.</p><h2 id="7210">The Homeowner Hat</h2><p id="06e0">For the last seven years, I’ve owned my own home. I could write about searching for the perfect home. I could write about new construction versus existing homes. I could write about HOAs. I could write about neighbors. I could write about routine maintenance. I could write about do-it-yourself projects.</p><h2 id="626c">The Professional Interviewing Hat</h2><p id="afb4">I’ve had three careers in my life, and when I interview for a job, I get it. I’m not bragging, but I’m good at interviewing. I’ve also served on interview committees. I could write about what to say in an interview. I could write about what not to say in an interview. I could write about what you should do before an interview and after an interview. I could write about preparing for interview questions.</p><figure id="d383"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*aP7RHCNwbns_mmXMfiN_Zw.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@shocking57?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Stephen Hocking</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hats?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="3f52">The Paralegal Hat</h2><p id="f532">I worked for many years as a paralegal, and I learned a lot. I could write about how to deal with difficult personalities on the job. I could write about how to help yourself out of l

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egal trouble. I could write about getting into the legal field. I could write about advantages of working in the legal field.</p><h2 id="a45d">The Teacher Hat</h2><p id="2b5d">I’ve been teaching English for eleven years. I could write about how to deal with difficult students. I could write about how to reach reluctant students. I could write about how to write a good essay. I could write about grammar. I could write about how to analyze and think critically. I could write about how to write college entry essays.</p><h2 id="7931">The Professional TV Watcher Hat</h2><p id="f707">I love fiction, and because my mother took my TV privileges away from me in sixth grade, I developed an addiction to TV as an adult. I could write about that addiction. I could review TV shows.</p><h2 id="a5ba">The Professional Hobbyist Hat</h2><p id="6ad2">I love making things. I could write about all my hobbies. I could write about knitting. I could write about crocheting. I could write about scrapbooking. I could write about how to create groups that share in your hobby.</p><h2 id="4842">The Professional Reader Hat</h2><p id="f27e">I’m an avid reader and have been since I was 11 years old. Again, let’s avoid discussing how long that’s been. I also hold a Masters of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Reading. I could write about reluctant readers (and have). I could write about learning disabilities. I could write about how to start a book club. I could write book reviews. I could write about genres. I could write about best books in various genres.</p><h2 id="2f5c">The Writing Hat</h2><p id="afd1">I’ve been writing my whole life. (Remember, we won’t mention how long that is. Just know, it’s been a significant amount of time.) I love writing. I could write about how to write. I could write about grammar — and I am a total grammarian. I could write about writing on the job. I could write about revision.</p><p id="4415">I know I took a long time to get here, but essentially, I could write well about a lot of different subjects. I’m sure you can too. And, our articles would contain personal experience, personal knowledge, and expert testimony. I don’t have to pick one niche because I have lived a life and experienced a whole lot. You don’t have to pick a niche unless you want to specialize.</p><p id="b4fc">Being an expert in one area certainly boosts your credibility, but what if the culture changes? Do you want to back yourself into a corner? I certainly don’t, and I know how life can change. Technology becomes obsolete when it’s replaced with newer better technology. New theories abound that revolve around medicine, culture or even travel. Don’t limit yourself, but don’t stretch yourself out too thin either.</p><p id="3942">So, when someone tells you to pick a niche, make a list of the hats you can wear. What do you know about? What experience do you have? If you’re anything like me, you’ll find a long list of hats you too can wear.</p></article></body>

Writers Can and Should Wear Many Hats

Before embarking on Medium as a writer, I researched the platform. I watched YouTube videos on strategies. I read articles. You know — all the usual stuff. The videos and the articles all advise pick a niche. Pick one hat to wear. But, what about the advice our English teachers gave us? Write what you know. Remember that? What if you know quite a bit?

Another article said not to be a dabbler, but I’m a professional dabbler. I’m not a know-it-all by any means, but I have lived. My articles range from education to marriage to parenting to writing. I’m passionate about many things and have experience as well. How am I supposed to pick one? I wear many hats and some quite well.

Writing for your audience matters. Think of who wants to know more about those hats you wear so well. What do they need to know about the subject? Audience determines level of complexity as well. Be sure you include definitions of jargon your audience may need. Don’t leave them with questions. If you don’t know those definitions, then leave that hat off your list.

Here’s my list:

The Friend Hat

I love making new friends. It’s one of my flaws. I love helping people. I could write about how to make friends. I could write about how to keep friends. I could write about when to know a friend isn’t a friend.

The Dating Hat

I dated so many frogs before I met my husband. I could write about finding the right one. I could write about finding the wrong one. I could write about dating online. I could write about long distance relationships.

The Wife Hat

I’ve been married for five years and could write about that. I could write about how to resolve marital conflict. I could write about budgeting for a family with limited funds. I could write about keeping your marriage spicy.

The Parenting Hat

I’ve been a stepmother for about ten years. I know what works and what doesn’t. I could write about the difficulties of being a stepmother. I could write about how to overcome difficulties associated with raising a teen daughter. I could write about how to raise children and make them into independent adults.

The Family Member Hat

I have a great family. I could write about dealing with family problems. I could write about how to keep your family together. I could write about creating family traditions. I could write about my family.

The Pet Parent Hat

I’ve owned pets since I was a child. We don’t want to discuss how long that’s been. But, I’ve had numerous cats and dogs. I’ve rescued quite a few. I could write about how to keep them healthy. I could write about training them. I could write about having cats and dogs together.

The Professional Mover Hat

I’ve lived on the West Coast. I’ve lived in the Southwest. I’ve lived on the East Coast. I could write about moving. I could write about packing. I could write about the communities I’ve lived in. I could write about how to hire a moving company.

The Apartment Hat

I rented for many years. I could write about how to choose an apartment when you don’t know the area. I could write about how to deal with landlords who don’t want to fix or upgrade appliances. I could write about how to get out of a lease. I could write about reading a lease. I could write about decorating a small apartment.

The Homeowner Hat

For the last seven years, I’ve owned my own home. I could write about searching for the perfect home. I could write about new construction versus existing homes. I could write about HOAs. I could write about neighbors. I could write about routine maintenance. I could write about do-it-yourself projects.

The Professional Interviewing Hat

I’ve had three careers in my life, and when I interview for a job, I get it. I’m not bragging, but I’m good at interviewing. I’ve also served on interview committees. I could write about what to say in an interview. I could write about what not to say in an interview. I could write about what you should do before an interview and after an interview. I could write about preparing for interview questions.

The Paralegal Hat

I worked for many years as a paralegal, and I learned a lot. I could write about how to deal with difficult personalities on the job. I could write about how to help yourself out of legal trouble. I could write about getting into the legal field. I could write about advantages of working in the legal field.

The Teacher Hat

I’ve been teaching English for eleven years. I could write about how to deal with difficult students. I could write about how to reach reluctant students. I could write about how to write a good essay. I could write about grammar. I could write about how to analyze and think critically. I could write about how to write college entry essays.

The Professional TV Watcher Hat

I love fiction, and because my mother took my TV privileges away from me in sixth grade, I developed an addiction to TV as an adult. I could write about that addiction. I could review TV shows.

The Professional Hobbyist Hat

I love making things. I could write about all my hobbies. I could write about knitting. I could write about crocheting. I could write about scrapbooking. I could write about how to create groups that share in your hobby.

The Professional Reader Hat

I’m an avid reader and have been since I was 11 years old. Again, let’s avoid discussing how long that’s been. I also hold a Masters of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Reading. I could write about reluctant readers (and have). I could write about learning disabilities. I could write about how to start a book club. I could write book reviews. I could write about genres. I could write about best books in various genres.

The Writing Hat

I’ve been writing my whole life. (Remember, we won’t mention how long that is. Just know, it’s been a significant amount of time.) I love writing. I could write about how to write. I could write about grammar — and I am a total grammarian. I could write about writing on the job. I could write about revision.

I know I took a long time to get here, but essentially, I could write well about a lot of different subjects. I’m sure you can too. And, our articles would contain personal experience, personal knowledge, and expert testimony. I don’t have to pick one niche because I have lived a life and experienced a whole lot. You don’t have to pick a niche unless you want to specialize.

Being an expert in one area certainly boosts your credibility, but what if the culture changes? Do you want to back yourself into a corner? I certainly don’t, and I know how life can change. Technology becomes obsolete when it’s replaced with newer better technology. New theories abound that revolve around medicine, culture or even travel. Don’t limit yourself, but don’t stretch yourself out too thin either.

So, when someone tells you to pick a niche, make a list of the hats you can wear. What do you know about? What experience do you have? If you’re anything like me, you’ll find a long list of hats you too can wear.