So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 2: Choosing What You will Do
May 24, 2008 by Lillie
Table of contents for So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 1: Learning about the Business
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 2: Choosing What You will Do
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 3: Finding Gigs
- So You Want to Become a Freelance Writer? Part 4: Advice from the Pros
You want to become a freelance writer – but what kind? And do you want to limit your freelance business to writing?
You can be a generalist or specialize in a specific kind of writing or niche. You don’t have to limit your specialty or your niche to only one-you may have several specialties.
Some popular freelance writing (and writing-related) specialties include:
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Article writing for magazines, newsletters, or the Internet
- Copywriting
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Ghostwriting
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Research
- Web content writing, including SEO writing
- White paper/report writing
Though the above list includes some of the most popular freelance specialties, many more exist. Even if your favorite kind of writing isn’t included, look into the possibilities of making a career of what you like.
Pros and cons of being a generalist:
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You have more jobs available to you, but you have more competition also.
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You don’t need any special knowledge or experience beyond good research and writing skills, but you will have to spend time researching and learning about the field for new projects.
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You will be involved in a variety of projects; whether that is a pro or con depends on your temperament. If you are bored easily, you might like the variety; however, if you are easily distracted, you may find the variety overwhelming.
Pros and cons of being a specialist:
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You have fewer jobs available to you, but you have less competition.
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You need to have some knowledge about the specialty or the niche, but if you have experience, you can build on what you already know.
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You run the risk of becoming bored if you thrive on variety; however, if you like routine, you will probably be comfortable with a specialty or a niche.
The best of both worlds: Choose several specialties or niches. You will reduce the risk of being bored while still enjoying the benefits of being a specialist.
For example, I specialize in working with self-publishing authors with a variety of services: consulting on publishing, helping with research and manuscript development, editing the manuscript, formatting the book for printing, finding a cover designer and printer, creating and maintaining the author’s Web site, editing and posting blog entries, writing news releases and other promotional materials, sending out review copies …
For writers who pursue traditional publishing, I help with query letters and proposals.
I also write, edit, and perform virtual assistant duties for business clients.
Some freelancers like to write for many different clients. I prefer to offer a wide range of services to a few clients. You have to decide how you prefer to work.
Choosing a specialty or niche:
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Consider the skills and knowledge you have already.
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Consider skills and knowledge you would like to learn.
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Consider how interested you are in the kind of the writing or the niche and how long you can maintain that interest.
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Consider the demand to ensure people want or need the service you plan to offer.
Read more advice from successful freelancers:
How to Choose a Specialty as a Freelance Writer
Recipe for Freelancing
Next, we’ll talk about finding freelance jobs.
[tags]freelance writing[/tags]
Hi Lillie
Thanks for the blogging link. The choice between specializing and being a generalist is an interesting one, and not always an easy choice.
I specialize in business writing and blogging but cover a few different areas within those fields to keep life interesting.
Yvonne Russells last blog post..Weekend Writers Cafe – Is The Word “Blog” On The Way Out? How Do You Explain A Blog To Non Bloggers?
Yvonne,
I think you’re in the “best of both worlds” category I mentioned – a nice mix.
Thanks for the link, Lillie. I specialise in writing articles and ebooks, with a couple of top topics such as consumer finance and writing. However, by nature I’m more of a generalist and have done things like travel writing, press releases and so on. I firmly believe that you have to have some specialties in order to be really expert in those areas, but my natural curiosity leads me to delve into other areas, which may become specialist ones later.
Sharon,
I was trying to link to a different site for each specialty, but as you demonstrate, most writers don’t have such clearly defined specialties. Like you, I got into most of what I do by jumping in and trying it, and sometimes that leads to a specialty area.
Thanks for the link, Lillie. If my crystal ball had been operational when I began freelancing in the 1970s, I definitely would have specialized, probably in computers. I’d be a top technical writer now — not technical writing (excruciatingly boring), but writing about technology or maybe a science writer. As it is, when I became tired of the rat race of writing, I decided to help along the next generation and found a niche as an editor.
I can’t imagine starting out editing, unless you’re a J-school graduate and really, really want to edit for a newspaper or magazine.
Georganna Hancocks last blog post..The Writing Show Contest
Georganna,
You’ve been writing and ediing much longer than I have. I didn’t start writing until I had a stroke after nearly 20 years in the interior landscape business. Then I got into editing by accident and discovered I am a better editor than writer and that I really love it. My Love Affair with Writing
Hi Lillie,
Thanks for the research link. While I certainly have done a lot of research for niche marketing clients I’m also specializing in blogging and web content writing.
For me it was a natural progression and I actually thrive on the mix of topics as it allows me to keep my mind refreshed at all times.
When you write a lot every day for various clients it is very important to stay motivated and focused and if I had to write about the same topic over and over again I’d risk burnout eventually.
Monika Mundells last blog post..Marketing.Branding. – Freelance Writing Guide
@ Lillie,
Isn’t that interesting. I’m about as surprised as you on this. A wide open market. *hint hint.
Monika Mundells last blog post..Marketing.Branding. – Freelance Writing Guide
Monika,
It was surprising and interesting.
I do a fair amount of research for my clients … but I don’t think I mention it anywhere.
I’m certainly not a good example because I really consider this a personal blog. I’m not looking for new business – I know freelancers are supposed to be marketing always because things happen and clients aren’t forever. But for several years I’ve had more work than I can handle from current clients (one I’ve worked with for more than 8 years) and referrals. If I can ever find the time I’m going to redo my Web site and put it all on WordPress, and I’ll do a better job of marketing then. But what I want to market is my novels, not my freelance business.
Another excellent post, Lillie. Great tips. I have been doing some of the things you suggest without even thinking about it, such as finding a couple of niches. (Inspirational, children’s). But I can see that it would be helpful to really define what I do as a writer, and stick to that.
Renaes last blog post..Abundance
Thanks for the links, I believe I could make a lot more money writing for a different employer, so I’ll be using it
Renae,
You are a wonderful inspirational writer. I love your blog.
Good luck. I’m glad you found the post helpful.
Thanks, Renae!
This is excellent and you have provided end to end information as how to be a freelance writer. Thanks a lot for all your information. Now got a confidence of being a writer.
Luca,
I’m glad you’re gaining confidence as a writer and that this series is helping you.
This is a great blog. It shows a better picture about what you might expect when you decide to try freelance writing.
Diane Brunners last blog post..Who’s Who in the SCA Hierarchy
Thanks, Diane. There are a lot of excellent resources.
[...] Eye has been working on a series of posts on becoming a freelance writer. Here’s one of last week’s entries on how to choose what to do after becoming a [...]
Lillie,
Another post jam-packed with helpful information! Wonderful!
Jeanne
Thanks, Jeanne.
Great article and list of jobs. I enjoy writing and working from home (telecommuting). I consider myself a “specialist” with a “generalist” twist. I like to write on health and wellness, personal development (broad topic), travel writing, and general writing. It works for me because I love diversity!
Rebecca´s last blog post..5 telecommuting writing jobs you can do anywhere
Rebecca,
It sounds like you have figured out what you like and what works for you. That’s great.
I responded to every comment at the time it was made; however when I moved my blog, threaded comments were lost.
This is something i’ve considered for a while but I haven’t been brave enough yet. Your writing really helps,i’m tempted now to make a move.
lynne,
Good luck! Starting anything new is scary, but you’ll never achieve your dreams until you step out and do something scary.
Monika,
Most writers I know about are generalists or have several specialties. I found few I could give as pure examples of each specialty. When I couldn’t find someone who specialized in a particular area, I tried to pick blogs/sites that had the most information about the topic. Surprisingly, you were the only one I found who even mentioned research so I used you to show that is a viable area.
Thanks, Lillie! The feeling is mutual.
Renaes last blog post..Abundance