Have you heard of the idea that you should be a “T-shaped” worker?
In other words, you have a range of skills and expertise (which is the horizontal part of the letter “T”), while going deep into one specific area (which is the vertical part of the “T”).
It’s quite a well-known concept. But how’s this for an alternative: be a comb instead.
Be good at not just one, but many things
If you specialise in one thing, you might be a “T”—which has only one “tooth”. But if you’re good at many things, you might be a comb, with multiple “teeth” representing the various skills you’ve honed to a greater degree.
This can make you a lot more flexible and in demand than a person who’s good at just one skill.
Or, in freelancing terms:
You can do multiple types of work => you can take on more jobs and earn more money.
For example, if I were to apply the “comb” concept to myself, my “teeth” might be:
- Skill: Writing
- Knowledge: Digital marketing (e.g. search engine optimisation and email marketing), workflow automation and law
And here’s how I apply them:
I’m pretty good at writing, so I provide freelance writing services.
Writers often specialise in writing about one/a few topics so they can build expertise and authority in these areas. So, since I know digital marketing and workflow automation well, I mostly write about these topics.
Writing is my main service. But given my knowledge of email marketing, I also have a secondary email marketing service.
And, since I’m legally trained, I occasionally get roped in for law-related gigs, like the contracts workshops I’ve been conducting this year. (Just like the one you attended yesterday!)
Straight vs jagged “teeth”
One challenge in being a comb?
We all have limited time, energy and money.
Becoming good in one area will likely already take up a lot of these, leaving less for gaining other skills or experience. We might have to make trade-offs on how deep we want to go for certain areas so we have enough resources to work on others.
We might also never become as skilled in one area as a “T-shaped” person who puts 100% of what they have into it.
So, in practice, instead of being a comb with straight “teeth”, you might be a comb that has jagged “teeth”, with some longer or shorter than others.
And I think that’s okay.
Being a perfect comb with straight “teeth” might be an ideal that’s impossible to reach. But working towards this ideal might already give you a leg-up over the competition. This is especially if they’re trying to be good at just one thing.
(Or, do you think being a straight-toothed comb is too easy? Here’s a possible next step: be a long and tall rectangle instead 😬)
More freelancer news
Applying to be under the SG Culture Pass
As of 1 Sep 2025, Singapore citizens aged 18 and up have received $100 worth of SG Culture Pass credits to spend on arts and heritage programmes in Singapore.
Most people are probably looking at how to spend their credits. But if you’re an arts freelancer, this is an opportunity for you to register your arts and heritage programmes under this scheme.
If accepted, your programme will be listed on the SG Culture Pass events page, giving it more publicity. And of course, you might get more participants because they can attend at a subsidised rate—while you still earn the full ticket revenue!
Sounds interesting? Learn the SG Culture Pass application process and eligibility requirements here.
The SG Culture Pass Office might need at least 6 to 8 weeks to process your application. But don’t fret if your programme is happening soon.
The $100 credits are good until 31 December 2028, so you could look into getting your subsequent programmes listed instead.
This post was first published in my email newsletter on 11 Sep 2025. If you liked it, sign up for my newsletter here:
