How to Choose a Freelance Writing Niche

There's an argument among freelance writers about whether it's wise to specialize or not. Some feel locking yourself into a niche can limit your market. Others point out that specializing helps promote you as an expert. Whether you're just starting out or looking for a way to expand your freelance writing business, the following steps will help you determine what expertise you can market.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start with what you like. If you hate getting technical and just think writing computer manuals is a good way to make a living, burnout will bring you down fast. There are plenty of industries and formats for you to write in, from online content to press releases to magazine articles.
2. Think about what you've learned during your lifetime. A degree in nursing gives you an obvious leg up over other freelancer writers on the subject of medicine, but growing up on a farm allows you to write about farming issues in a way a nurse can't. Did you go to Sunday School every week? You can write about religious issues without spending as much time on research.
3. Make a list of the things you know how to do. Start with hobbies. Check out what popular magazines are offering to their readers. Knitting, for example, used to be the domain of middle-aged and elderly women, but in recent years it's gotten popular with college kids and teens. If you've raised an autistic child, your experience can benefit other mothers struggling with the same issues.
4. Explore what there is to write about where you live. If you live in a town that has a special place in history, make that a niche. If you get a lot of tourists, explore the kinds of writing that brings them there like travel guides, articles, brochures and Web sites.
5. Consider writing formats you'd like to specialize in. There are writers who do only white papers for the technological and business sectors. Not all freelance writers do press releases. Learn about writing for the Web, which takes a different set of skills than writing for magazines and newspapers.

Tips & Warnings

• Limit your promotional efforts to a single audience. If you do both technical and marketing materials, tailor your materials to suit the niche you're targeting so you come off as an expert.
• Don't be afraid to experiment in topic or writing format. But do your homework and write up a sample or two to make sure you like this new direction.

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