Hi Reader,
The freelance writing industry is a bit of a Wild West. There are a ton of different paths you can take: full-time, side-hustle, content, copy, social media, blogging, grant writing, etc. The possibilities and combinations are endless.
And how you approach the forks in the road as you wander down your own unique path will depend on what you're looking for from your writing and your particular skillset.
In today's email, I'm going to summarize a few of the industry niches available to freelance writers and some of the platforms you might use as you pursue your options in one or more of those categories.
Industry Niches
While there's a ton of overlap amongst the "categories" of freelance writers, you will find a few broad niches into which most freelancers organize themselves. Here are the biggest ones (by popularity).
By the way, I haven't included more "traditional" freelance writing jobs, like book author or journalist. That's because these are usually, at a minimum, full-time jobs requiring substantial commitment and investment in the form of education, time, and effort.
There's nothing wrong with pursuing these avenues if that's what you're interested in, but if you're attracted to freelance writing as a side hustle or to generate immediate income, the listed options may be more suitable.
Freelance Content Writer
Freelance content writers work with clients to write blog posts, case studies, white papers, social media posts, instruction manuals, magazine articles, and pretty much anything else that appears on the web or in print.
Freelance Copywriter
Freelance copywriters work with clients to create sales-oriented copy designed to move products and services. They're often hired to generate direct-response copy (letters and emails sent to individuals designed to sell something), landing page and web page copy, ad copy, and anything else designed to persuade a person to become a client or customer.
Creator/Blogger
Creators and bloggers publish their work directly to the web. While the vast majority of bloggers and creators see very little (or no) income from their work, some creators and bloggers manage to generate revenue through a variety of strategies: paid newsletters, online courses, ad sales, and money shared by some platforms.
Unless you already have a sizable audience, this is a more long-term play than jumping into the market as a copy or content writer. It can take a looong time to generate the kind of attention that generates significant income. We're talking years (if it happens at all).
Popular Industry Platforms
Many freelance writers use platforms as part of their trade. These services connect clients, writers, readers, and others. Their use carries with it several tradeoffs, but many freelance writers find that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks (depending on their business model, of course).
Freelance Platforms
Freelancing platforms connect freelance writers and clients. While they each have a slightly different structure, the general idea is that the platform acts as a central market or hub for clients and freelancers and usually takes a cut of the freelancer's fees. Examples include:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Clearvoice
- Toptal
Competition on these platforms is notably fierce, particularly with respect to pricing. Many freelancers find that clients expect rock-bottom rates when advertising work on platforms, which leads many established freelancers with more expansive portfolios to avoid these networks.
Despite the price competition, freelancers, including myself, have had success on the platforms if they're able to identify a lucrative niche and a way to differentiate themselves from the intense competition present on the sites.
Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms are the networks you're already familiar with, like Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn, that connect millions, sometimes billions, of people around the world. Many freelance writers use these networks to post their content, find clients, and network.
You'll probably find that LinkedIn is an especially powerful resource for you in your work as a freelance writer. It's a great way to find clients and connect with other writers.
Newsletter and Blogging Platforms
A form of social media platform, I've separated out newsletter and blogging platforms because they occupy such specific niches.
Newsletter platforms, like Substack and Ghost, offer a way to manage and publicize newsletters. Blogging platforms, like Medium, provide a forum for blog posts and can increase the visibility of your writing, especially in the early stages.
Mix and match
So that's a (real) quick, whirlwind tour of the freelance writing landscape. Feel free to take from it what's useful to you in your own unique circumstances.
Remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution for freelance writers. What platforms and niches and industries you choose will depend on your specific goals and needs.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
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