For every freelance writer there is a matching dream job. It will be different for everyone, but it’s certain that for every writer in the world, there exists at least one subject that turns them on, and that they could write articles about every day.
While it will always remain part of the business to write about subjects that don’t float your boat or require a lot of research, it should still be remembered there are many advantages to writing in the ideal market that is close to your heart.
1. Little Need For Research
It speaks for itself; write about a subject you know inside out, and your time spent researching it will be negligible. If you were to sit down with a notepad and pen and brain storm on your ideal subject, I reckon most freelance writers could come up with twenty or so article ideas within ten minutes.
However, it is still advisable to carry a notebook around, because it is common for great article ideas to pop up into your head in the most unlikely of places. Even though you may know a subject well, keeping your article idea list topped up is the best way to ensuring to never go short.
2. Productivity Increase
As a result of having little or no research to do, and an abundance of ideas at your disposal, the rate at which articles can be turned out will increase dramatically. A constant stream of well-written articles on your ideal subject will not only impress editors and tempt them to keep you on their books, but it will also mean you can sell more articles, and therefore, make more money.
While a high output is commendable, never let your quality assurance process dip because of it. Don’t get carried away turning out article after article, only for an editor to turn round and point out all your spelling or grammar mistakes.
3. Impressed Editors
The greater your level of knowledge in a subject, the more your editor will be impressed by your talents and your passion. Making an impression on an editor is vital if you are to be taken seriously, and if you are to be considered for more work.
The thing most editors crave when searching for freelance writers, is not just an ability to turn good work within deadline, but also that they can rely on the writer to keep doing so with original articles that attract readers to their publication. A suitably impressed editor means long-term writing opportunities.
4. Regular Work
If you are lucky enough to have landed your dream job writing freelance articles on your ideal subject, it is likely if you catch an editors eye while doing so, you can land a good quality writing gig that will prove to be ongoing and mutually beneficial to both parties.
It’s a two-way street; the freelancer writer who is reliable and knowledgeable, and the editor who is prepared to pay good money for them. Everyone’s a winner.
5. Job Satisfaction
Writing articles on your favourite subject is not only a great way of enhancing productivity and increasing your earnings, but it also allows you the opportunity on a personal level, to really get to know your subject matter to a whole new level of expertise.
If it’s a subject you truly love this won’t be a problem, and as you learn more, the more quality work you will be able turn out. The satisfaction that is gained from being in this position is one of the best perks of being a freelance writer. You won’t need motivation to get up in the morning, if what you are being paid to write about is what you love.
6. Expert Status
Having written regularly on a subject from a variety of angles, very soon you will be considered an expert in your chosen field. Being recognised as an expert is a great thing to have on your C.V., because not only does it show you know your subject well and can write about it creatively, it also makes you more marketable to other editors and publications. Being an expert opens doors to more lucrative work in other markets.
7. Enhanced Lifestyle
Most freelance writers will cite flexibility in their working day, as the main benefit to being in this line of work. But the final advantage to writing in your ideal market is that you can further adapt when you want work, to suit your personal needs.
Because your motivation and output is high, your editor will be happy, and your career status will be enhanced. This means you will find it easier to decide when you work and from where, as there are less barriers in your way over shifting your work pattern around to suit.
A Word of Caution
The main downside to all this wonderful news is that writing about the same subject brings its own set of pressures. The more you write on a topic, and the more successful you become at it, the more an editor will expect you to keep going.
Without variety in your writing life things can very quickly become repetitive, and maybe even boring. The challenge will be gone, and you will be in danger of writing yourself into a corner. After all, if you do not use your new found success to branch out, you will quickly become a one-trick writer.
So if you are lucky enough to have one or two markets in which you can write and sustain regular work from, always remember that variety is the spice of life. To keep things balanced in your career and in your mind, you should keep yourself motivated by challenging your writing skills, and being prepared to write outside the box from time to time.
Reader Comments (29)
Gabor Wolf says
Great article!
How do you handle competitive clients? I work as a marketing consultant, and this has come up a number of times:
“I want to work with you, but I don’t want you working with my competitors”
If you specialize in a niche, you’re especially exposed to this problem.
What’s a good way to handle this?
We tell them that for an “exclusivity premium” we’ll refuse working with 3 competitors that the client names.
Any other tips?
Claudia says
Excellent post, Colin. You describe my dream job opportunity exactly. Even big dreams can come true. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Graeme Roberts says
What an excellent article! The pros and cons are exactly right. Thank you.
soares says
Thanks for sharing it with us,i hope to be a good writer.
Kaila Colbin says
Great article; I’ll add one observation. I write regularly for a well-known car magazine, and I am a well-known car ignoramus. One of the key benefits of knowing nothing about the industry is that I never take anything for granted. I assume my readers are highly informed, and I make it my mission to uncover something that they are unlikely to know.
So I would augment point #1 by saying that, while you can come up with 20 topics easily, sometimes it’s the extra tidbit you have to work to get that makes the entire article worth reading.
Jane says
This is a really great point Kaila. And a good reminder that all of us have to use Beginner’s Mind, when we approach almost anything in life.
Edward Atkinson says
“The greater your level of knowledge in a subject, the more your editor will be impressed by your talents and your passion.”
There is a lot of truth in that statement. Not only will a real expertise impress your editor, but it can make up for a lack of another area (style, small errors, etc.).
Expertise is irreplaceable and invaluable, and any editor worth beans will want to hold on to you if you’ve got the chops.
The Masked Millionaire says
If you can pull off being a freelance writer then you really have landed a dream job.
To achieve this you must become an expert and that takes time and work. So don’t be impatient.
“Anything worth doing is worth doing right.”
The Masked Millionaire
http://www.TheMaskedMillionaire.com
Cara says
Great points, especially #1. I keep a notebook with me at all times — my kids still talk about the time I was caught without paper and wrote my story ideas on the outside of the baby’s diaper. Of course, by the time we got home the diaper was in very bad shape and difficult to uh, transcribe.
Richard Butler says
All individuals who’s into writing can achieve their dream market but not all can be effective i think.
Ron says
Thanks Colin for the great tips!
I’m a young freelance writer, just started putting my work down on paper (a virtual one that is…). I’d really love to read more of your work, where do you post it?
I publish with Triond if you’ve heard of them and I’m pretty satisfied, there fast, they keep in touch with me alot, pay decently and my work get great promotion.
I actually get alot of inspiration from there writers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally satisfied with them, but I’d like to hear some feedback from writers here about them. Heres a link to my profile at Triond http://www.triond.com/users/ron82
I’d be more than happy if anybody here is a member at Triond and they can add me as a friend on their profile so I can check out their work.
Chris Blackwell says
Very good post. I thought your final point on variety and making sure you are mixing up your writing was very insightful. Most people have more then one hobby and usually have something that he or she can contribute outside of their regular niche.
Shakun Saini says
Excellent post!! Very true and inspiring 🙂
Increase Sales Coach says
Hi Colin,
Great article.
I find that many of the solo professionals I work with struggle with this very issue. They’re afraid to specialize and become the expert because they’re afraid they’ll lose business.
Their fear is counter to reality. The more specialized you are the easier it is to attract your ideal highly qualified prospects to you.
http://increasesalescoach.com/blog
Don says
Colin,
What was wrong with my comment? No criticism allowed?
Chris says
And how would one find one of these “editors” you speak of.
Anybody can write. Finding someone to print it is the challenge
JackSundown says
This is an excellent post. The points are all related–footbone connected to the ankle bone, etc., but the truth is undeniable.
If you write in an area you know, you can write better, write more, write faster–all the things you mention that will make you a more successful writer.
Simple truths like this remind me of the Rube Goldberg machine–if you don’t know what that is, check it out at rubegoldberg.com.
–Jack Sundown
writingmall.com
Tender says
Very useful tips. Excellent staff, Colin. Thank you.
Jennifer says
‘Specialise in what you know..’ is also true for paid bloggers – I am one of these. I actually prefer it to the magazine article writing since I sweat buckets over the print article and work on it for hours. Blog posts, 40 minutes, a few edits and you’re done.
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