Those who get started in freelance writing can find that there are many clients who will pay writers to write for them on a wide array of topics. Writing on a lot of different subjects can definitely keep your job interesting. While learning how to research and pull information together quickly can help you get writing work, you might want to consider choosing a specialty writing niche (or two) as well.
Niche writers benefit in several ways:
- They become known as experts on a topic and can command higher writing rates as well as get plenty of unsolicited job offers.
- Self promotion is easier because you can target specific keywords and phrases. It’s going to be much harder to rank on page one of Google for “freelance writer” than a niche writing topic.
- Research time is diminished because you can draw on your expertise
How do you choose a writing niche?
Here are two considerations to choose your niche:
- Write what you know
- Write what you love
What do you know?
Many new freelance writers who are looking for writing work online have experience in a particular area. Your previous background can work to your advantage in your writing because you can draw on expertise from a previous job. A friend of mine was a lawyer looking to break into freelance writing so I suggested legal writing. If you have a legal background as a lawyer, paralegal, or law clerk you could become a legal writer. If you were in the health field, you could draw on that experience and become a health writer. If you’ve got a technology background, you could be a tech blogger. The list goes on.
What do you love?
If there’s a topic you’re passionate about, you can strive to become known for your expertise in that area. When you’re researching and writing a lot about a particular topic, it doesn’t hurt to find it interesting so that you don’t run out of zest, ideas, or steam.
I’ve said it before and yes, it bears repeating: Freelancing is about freedom. While you’re not limited to writing just within your niche (unless that’s what you want to do), you’ll find that once you carve out a niche for yourself, those gigs will probably be the most profitable.
(photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mainrc)
As a friend of yours who has happily and successfully followed your advice, I agree with all of the points that you make in this post. Thanks for taking the time to provide information like this to aspiring- and established- freelance writers.
Thanks @Jen
I have not yet selected a niche, although if I were pushed, it would probably be writing for nonprofits and doing academic work.
Hi Ronda,
There's no need to push if you're not ready but if you do get the time to work on carving out that niche, you'll probably find that you make more money and work fewer hours. At least, that's been my experience.
Cheers
Dana
Indeed – it will be FAR easier to market yourself if you’re in a niche than a generalist. You don’t have to choose one, you can go after a couple (although three I’d say is the limit or you’re back to the original problem).
Great post.
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I have a varied background, in which knowing "a little about alot" was advantageous. This makes it a bit difficult to choose a writing niche, but I'm getting there. I agree you can't push it, take the time to try a few niches on for size