In the last year, the freelance writing world has changed in fundamental ways: client demands have shifted, technology has made the work accessible to more people, and the economic outlook has soured. Now is a terrible time to be a journalist looking for a steady paycheck. The good news is that there are still opportunities for those who want to write, but be smart about it. Here are some tips on how to find a job that suits you.
Focus On Platforms
It used to be that if you wrote well, you could make your way through the publication ranks quickly and easily find your way to the big time. But that’s no longer the case. The industry is shifting toward greater specialization, and traditional publications are struggling to keep up. But don’t worry—there are still opportunities for you to make your mark, especially if you zero in on platforms like Snapchat, where content is short-lived and the emphasis is more on engagement than on your ability to write a lengthy piece about city council meetings.
Build Your Portfolio
No one can accuse you of being slow in the development department. In the last year, you’ve probably been hard at work building a brand for yourself as a freelancer. Whether you’ve been writing for publications such as The Verge, HuffPost, or Tech Radar, you’ve amassed a considerable backlist of stories that you can draw on for future employment opportunities. What’s important now is to make sure that you keep building your portfolio—both published and unpublished—so that when the day of reckoning comes, you can look back and say, “I’ve been practicing.”
Find The Niche
If there’s one thing the last year has taught us, it’s that we live in a golden age for niche-finding. Thanks to platforms like Google Trends, you can now find specific topics that are in demand, be they fashion, lifestyle, or science. And not all niches will bring in the big bucks. But if you can find a niche within a niche, you can likely build a profitable career as a freelance writer. Remember, though: this field is highly competitive, and you’ll need to be prepared to put in the work to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen area.
Know When to Be Discreet
In this information age, it’s important to know when it’s best to keep your skills and talents under wraps. Certain jobs will demand that you keep your writing skills hidden from the public, and it’s not always because they want to keep the identity of the person that they interview a secret. Sometimes, it’s because they don’t want their competitors to know that they’re hiring. If discretion is required, it’s essential that you learn to balance your need for income with their need for secrecy. And sometimes you’ll need to look for employment opportunities outside of your local area.
Know When To Look For More Than One Opportunity
If you’ve been looking for a job for more than one month, you’re most likely already aware of the fact that the labor market has shifted. As more and more people are forced into part-time work and freelance writing, more and more opportunities will present themselves. In this environment of uncertainty, it’s critical to look for more than one opportunity, because even the most qualified candidates can easily be scooped up by the firm that employs them. What’s more, the more you look, the more you’ll discover—and the more you’ll achieve. Don’t worry—it’s not an exact science, and it will take some trial and error to discover what suits you best.
Follow The Money.
For jobs that require more than a few writing tasks per week, the money tends to follow. In uncertain times, jobs that pay well are easy to find, and the ability to charge more than you’re worth is essential for your financial security. If you’re looking to make a smooth transition into freelance writing, now might be the right time to do so. But above all, be smart about it.