Have you always dreamed about becoming a freelance writer but aren’t sure which specializations could help you bring home the bacon while leaving you feeling professionally fulfilled? The good news is, there are plenty of great opportunities out there for writers and authors of all kinds that you might never have considered. Every organization that puts out written materials is likely to be in need of a strong writer, which means you may be able to take your skills and apply them to just about any industry. From marketing to researching white papers to producing technical content and more, there are several top specializations that could provide a great way to get started in your freelance writing career. Check out the prime choices you should consider.
1. Marketing and Advertising Copy
Every advertising effort and marketing department depends on strong writing, so if you have a knack for selling items with your words, don’t underestimate your skills – companies could be waiting to snatch you up! Writing ad copy is consistently in demand and may prove fruitful for writers with a creative streak. In this position, you would get to combine your writing skills with creative inspiration to produce copy that sells.
2. Online or Print Articles
If you’ve ever browsed through internet websites looking for articles to read, you’ve likely encountered the work of freelance writers. Both online and print articles are becoming increasingly popular today as more people search for content to consume. Whether you’d prefer to write online articles for a business blog or try your hand pitching to a print publication, this straightforward freelance route could be rewarding.
3. Freelance Blog Posts
More and more companies these days are starting up their own branded blogs and hiring article writing services, which means that blog writers are in higher demand than ever. Depending on which company blogs you work for, you could potentially be writing about topics you already have some expertise in. Blogs are often written in an accessible yet authoritative way, so if you can master this tone, you might find your services are in high demand.
4. Research White Papers
Do you have a knack for conducting thorough research and explaining tough concepts in an understandable way? If so, you may want to consider specializing in white papers. White papers are generally fairly lengthy documents that explain the research on a given topic or product, usually as a supplement to marketing efforts. Many companies produce white papers as a way to convince buyers of the science behind their products, for example. If you’re interested in research and enjoy translating complex ideas into straightforward copy, this could prove a lucrative path.
5. Technical and Business Writing
If you’re technically inclined or have a background in engineering or IT, technical writing could be the perfect choice for you. Technical writers are in high demand, and their specialized skills are often indispensable to tech companies. As a technical writer, you can expect to spend your days interviewing engineers and specialists, putting together careful technical documentation and revising your work to ensure it’s understandable to non-specialists. In this line of work, you could put together product specifications, how-to user manuals and more. If you’re interested in a corporate writing position but don’t have a technical background, consider checking out the communications department. As a business writer, you could put together press releases, internal company memos or emails and more.
A career in freelance writing could give you the opportunity to apply your unique skills to several industries and become an expert at an in-demand specialization. If you’re thinking about going freelance and want to enter a specialization that’s in-demand, potentially lucrative and that could be professionally fulfilling as well, make sure to add these five potential paths to the top of your list.
