Whether you blog for fun or for pay, it’s always great to make a connection to other bloggers and writers with similar interests. That’s why once in a while, you’ll see a featured blogger on multitalentedwriters.com.
Show our featured bloggers some love by checking out their blogs and leaving a comment.
It’s my great pleasure to feature Walter Akolo on MultiTalented Writers.
Walter is a successful blogger and freelance writer, using his many interests to earn a good living as a full-time freelancer. Like all writers featured on this site, he is also MultiTalented, having several interests (and writing about many as well).
I’ve interacted with Walter a few times in groups on Facebook, and he’s always helpful and polite, engaging in great conversations and offering help whenever he can. Read on to find out more about this MultiTalented Writer.
1. What is your name and where are you located?
Walter Akolo, Kenya
2. What is the name of your blog(s)? What subjects does it cover?
[The name of my blog is] Freelancer Kenya. This is a friendly blog that teaches people how they can make money through online freelancing.
I also co-own Pen Stars (a content assessment service) and have many other sites under construction.
3. Why do you choose to write in multiple niches?
My blog is in one niche. I have other blogs under construction and most will focus on specific niches. I find that blogs do better when focused on a niche. However, I’ll have one blog that will be multi-niched, but with an excellent strategy. When writing for clients, I don’t focus on a specific niche, but rather multiple niches. I do this because I’m not only good at one thing, so I explore my full potential.
One of the reasons I became a freelancer is to really be free to do practically as much as I humanly can without restrictions. For this reason, I’ve started different blogs, websites, Facebook groups and other social initiatives that focus on totally different subjects—spanning from online work to mental health and social entrepreneurship among others.
Most of these have been hugely successful regardless of the fact that they’re on extremely different niches.
5. Do you blog and write as a hobby, as a part-time job, or do you do it for full-time income?
For social impact and full-time income. I still have fun while doing it since I do what I love, so I guess I can call it a profitable hobby that changes people’s lives.
6. Do you blog on your own platform, for companies, for publications, or for a mixture of these?
A mixture of these.
7. Where have you been published?
Multiple places including HuffPost, Paysa, and ChangeCreator.
8. Why do you believe multi-niche writing is beneficial?
I think we’re all blessed differently. There are people who excel in one niche, which is perfectly okay.
For those like me who excel in multiple niches, I believe it’s beneficial since, as stated above, you get to explore your full potential without confining yourself to one subject.
My point is that we should all do what we do best. Writers should know that they can still be immensely successful writing in multiple niches. It is false to think that niching is the only way to earn well as a writer. It is definitely a good way, but not the only way.
9. Is there anything you would like to add?
Sure. I love the fact that we now have so many experts dishing out tons of useful advice on how to succeed in writing. This gives new writers lots of perspective, enabling them to make their own informed decisions.
What I’m against is following experts blindly.
You’ll note that each expert will talk about what works for them. Some excel in Upwork, others do well in cold pitching, others in social media, networking, job boards, blogging etc.
Strangely, some will tell you that only their methods work and that others are pure hogwash. Of course many will tell you to niche while others will keep it open.
Instead of following them blindly, listen to each and chart your own way. That’s exactly what each “guru” did. They learnt from others and created their own paths— which were sometimes totally different from what the “gurus” of their time did.
If you only follow what you’re told, there are chances that you may not live up to your potential.
You are worth way more than you think you are. You just need to open your eyes.
Thank you so much for this interview Mariana. I hope it helps someone out there to focus and make informed choices.
You’re welcome, Walter! And thank you for agreeing to show MultiTalented Writers that success is possible when writing in multiple niches!
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This is great. Walter can be considered as the father of freelance writing and blogging in Kenya and even East Africa as a whole. I always admire his energy when encouraging other budding writers. He is a pillar in the freelance world to young Kenyans and I will always respect him for this.
He sure is a great influencer. Even here in Canada, I’m learning from him 🙂
Walter shares information so generously. I’m happy for him. He deserves every good thing in the blogging industry.
I agree; Walter is super generous with his knowledge; and I love his balanced outlook. Thanks for stopping by!
I like the point- listen to Gurus but chart your own way. Thank you for the post
I couldn’t agree more with this. There’s a great quote by Bruce Lee: “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
Walter is a selfless person,humble and willing to share information. he is an inspiration to all.
Agreed!
Walter i agree with you,we need not be blind we need to know when to twist there ideas to our advantage.
Walter is such a talented writer. He is a role model not only to me but to those he has interacted to either on his blogs or through his training/seminars. Am glad I bumped into his Freelancer Kenya website and may God bless him.
I’m so thankful he agreed to be interviewed on this site; he’s an awesome guy.
Walter is a great mentor. He shares his knowledge liberally. He wants others to reach where he is. I am over 60 years and I am learning so much from him. I just completed his training a month ago! You can imagine competing with young brains…yet I believe I can learn and benefit as much as they do.
Well done Walter! We need brands like you in Africa.
It’s never too late to embrace your dreams and learn something new. Congrats on finishing the course!
Here’s some inspiration to always keep on learning and keep on trying new things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjHnWz3EyHs
When the history of freelance writing is written, Walter Akolo will feature prominently. Keep it up brother, you are a true leader in your own right.
I agree!
Thanks for the info. Walter. Always willing to share with the world.
That’s why he’s awesome!
Yes indeed! Walter is like a mentor to me. He is a genius and very generous with impacting knowledge to everyone who needs it.
That’s why he’s awesome!
This is nice. I always learn so much from Walter. He is a real mentor.
I agree!
This is amazing that the successful writers today can be so generous in sharing the secret of their success openly, thanks to my friend Akolo.
I think that’s the way of the future: as the Internet has opened up the world to us, so we need to be open to the world. I believe there’s much to be gained by viewing others in our field as colleagues rather than competitors. There’s enough work to go around for those who make the commitment, so let’s all help one another.
You are 100%right that sharing your discovery is the way forward, Its better to share than to hide your insights as a freelancer, If you do people Akolo and myself and you Will change the game pa r and prove those who failed to be generous wrong.INTERNET will expose it…thanks I love what you are doing and wish to share some experience in my writing business.
Thank you for reading.
Hey Guys! This is a good read from Walter. Am a newbie and would wish to join as a transcriber. What’s the beginning point? I got no job at the moment and would wish to join to keep myself busy. I got very good typing skills having worked for 25 years as a Admin Officer/Secretary in a busy firm. Am ready and willing to learn in this field.
Hi Alice,
Thank you for commenting. I personally have no experience with transcribing, so here’s an article I found that may be useful for you:
https://transcribeanywhere.com/7-myths-about-becoming-a-general-transcriptionist/
excellent of him.
Thank you for reading!
Great and motivating stuff sir! I truly appreciate your tireless effort to inspire and educate young up-coming freelancers (“newbies”as you always call them ),
I personally do admit to have learned a lot that I may have not, from other sources, since subscription.
Kudos! thumbs up!.
Keep the spirit.
Thanks for reading!
Walter is indeed a great source of inspiration!
Walter is a good mentor. He shares information without holding back. Great inspiration!
Agreed!
Walter Akolo is a generous person. He is the one who introduced me to freelance writing. He is an inspiration to me and many other writers based in Kenya and other parts of the globe. Keep up Walter!
I agree!
I’m all the way in Canada and I’m inspired by what he does.
Walter is my teacher and my role model as a new writer I always follow his ideas. He is a great guy thanks for the support
Agreed!
Walter is a rare gem, he receives as much as he gives. A pure role model deserving the best out of the best.
Thank you for commenting!
Great interview post
Thank you!
Honestly speaking that interview has inspired me .looking forward towards working with him.(Walter).
He sure inspires a lot of people! Thanks for commenting.
I am currently undergoing article writing training with Walter and he has been super helpful.
He is not only an amazing trainer but a mentor as well.
He doesn’t hoard information and goes all out.
We sure are blessed as Kenyans to be trained by Walter.
Go Walter!
So glad to hear! Thanks for commenting.
Great work WALTER, Keep it up. Am a product of your work looking forward to shining tomorrow like you
Thank you for commenting!
I love Walter so so much for his outstanding mentor-ship skills. I do follow him always — I am sure I’ll shine too.
Thanks for the comment Cornelius; I admire Walter as well!
Am glad I bumped into his Freelancer Kenya website and may God bless him.
He’s an awesome inspiration to all aspiring freelance writers, for sure! Thanks for commenting.
I note that the interview was conducted about four years ago but it’s as relevant today as it was then. I just “met” Walter late last year but he has already had a most desirable impact on my budding freelance writing career.
Walter is a very helpful person. Glad you’re finding value in his knowledge and experience.
Walter is a cool guy. As I’m speaking now, I am still training, and he’s always there to check on my progress, and promptly responds to my questions. I admire him. It’s my hope that one day, I will be in a position to change people’s lives like you’re doing today Walter. Bravo, you’re doing a brilliant job!
Walter is a very helpful person; glad you’re finding value in his feedback. Best of luck in your writing journey!
Many thanks.
Walter this is amazing, awesome job. Thanks for sharing and for your incredible information that is transforming this generation.
God bless you. Keep the fire burning!
Thank you for your kind words, Julia!