Generalist vs specialist (and why both matter) with Nataleigh Elzein (Ep 116)

Jack of all trades? Good. Here’s how to make it sell. This week on Got Marketing?, Mia is joined by long-time biz friend Nataleigh Elzein (Fractional General Manager & founder of Pinch Studios) for a candid, practical conversation about the power of being a generalist in small business. Generalist has become a “dirty word,” but when you’re building a business, being able to do a lot reasonably well is often the difference between staying afloat and falling behind. Mia and Nat unpack clear definitions of generalist vs specialist, how to position each role, and why language—not labels—is usually the real problem. They also dive into LinkedIn: why it scares people, how to show up as a multi-hyphenate without confusing your audience, and the proactive habits that actually lead to clients, press, and partnerships. The big takeaway: You don’t have to be everything to everyone—but you do need to be clear. Package your value, use language people understand, and be proactive (especially on LinkedIn). Generalists create momentum; specialists compound it. 🎧 Press play if you’re wrestling with your positioning, deciding whether to niche, or want a simple LinkedIn playbook that leads to real conversations—and real work. We’d love to hear from you. DM us anytime, or leave a review if you found it valuable.   What you’ll take away from in this episode:  ✨ A clear, modern definition of generalist vs specialist (and why both matter) ✨ How to package a generalist skillset into a specific, memorable offer ✨ The role of language: why positioning beats labels (e.g., “fractional GM,” “campaigns”) ✨ When to niche vs when to keep your offer broad (and how team design affects that choice) ✨ Why “always-on” agility is a generalist advantage in small business ✨ A simple method to listen to clients and refine your positioning ✨ How to show up on LinkedIn as a multi-hyphenate without confusing people ✨ The proactive outreach moves that turn comments into DMs, and DMs into clients ✨ A refreshing reframe of inbound (it’s not “post and pray”) ✨ A nudge to be brave: make the ask, start the conversation, build the relationship        Connect with Nataleigh: Website: https://www.pinchstudios.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinchstudios.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataleigh-elzein/   Connect with Mia: Connect with Mia on LinkedIn Follow got marketing? on Instagram   Get the backstage pass to Got Marketing? on Substack. The ideal companion to the show and place to share your thoughts about the Got Marketing? podcast episodes.   Ask me anything We will have dedicated episodes where Mia answers your questions. Submit questions here: Got Marketing Podcast or send us a DM.    🎷 Ripple Festival Nov 12 & 13, Grazeland, Melbourne: see you there? Ripple Festival is where music, art, comedy, and small business collide. Because creativity isn’t just for artists, and strategy isn’t just for boardrooms. Tickets are on sale now. Visit RippleFestival.au for details 👩‍💻 Mia and the Campaign Del Mar team use and love Kajabi; it powers our whole business. Try it free for 30 days with Mia's exclusive link.    Still here? Give us feedback Marketing Circle Download the Focus Framework to learn where to focus your marketing efforts based on your stage of business, individually for product and service-based brands.