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What Type of Writing Job Should I Start With?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to setting up a lucrative career in writing, but if you’re looking for a quick-and-easy route to financial security then you might want to consider focusing on a freelance writing career. Depending on your interests, you might end up writing for brands or publishing houses, holding interviews with prominent individuals or conducting research for academic papers—there’s plenty to choose from.

No matter what niche you fit into, the fact remains that you’ll need to build your portfolio and establish yourself as an expert in your specialism if you want to land a paying job. Here we answer the question: what type of writing job should I start with? Below we’ll run down the ins and outs of various gigs, as well as where to find them so you can easily transition into a freelance writing career.

Freelance Blogging

Blogging is one of the most popular content creation platforms, and it’s certainly one of the easiest ways to build a portfolio of work. Launching a successful blog isn’t as difficult as it might seem; all you need is a niche, a few interesting stories, and the ability to generate fresh content regularly. Even if you don’t end up pursuing this as a career, it’s still a relatively easy way to establish yourself as a freelance writer and build your portfolio.

It’s important to note that while blogging is a popular choice among content creators, it’s by no means the only option. There are plenty of gigs out there that you could consider; some of the others include:

  • Vlogging: Like blogging but with video content rather than text.
  • Copywriting: If you are skilled at crafting marketing materials such as websites, product catalogs, and ad copy then you could consider setting up a freelancing booth and pitching your talents to firms and brands.
  • Content curation: If you are an expert at finding and providing content for other platforms then you could consider setting up a blog to showcase your skills and earn a steady stream of cash.
  • Translating: If you are fluent in multiple languages then you could consider doing some freelance translation for firms and businesses that need their material translated into other languages.
  • Social media marketing: If you are skilled at running effective campaigns on social media then you could consider using your talents to grow and promote brands’ profiles on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
  • Content strategy: If you are skilled at coming up with content schedules and publishing strategies for websites and blogs then you could consider setting up a freelance business to help other companies and brands produce their own content.

Content Production For Online Publishers

If writing is something you love doing then it would be a great fit for your creative nature. One of the things that makes a blog so attractive to brands and businesses is the fact that it is relatively easy to set up and maintain. Even if you don’t end up pursuing this as a career, it’s still a great option for those looking for something flexible to do. A content producer is someone who is typically in charge of creating content for web properties and platforms. They might be called upon to draft blog posts, create animations, or devise digital marketing campaigns for companies. Basically, they are skilled at turning ideas into content that can be published online.

The best part about this option is that you get to choose your own hours. If you are someone who values your personal life, this is the perfect writing job for you. You get to go home at the end of the day and enjoy the little things in life. Depending on the size of your portfolio and the amount of work you are able to take on, you could consider moving into content planning or reviewing for publications. Some of the more prominent titles that need content production include:

  • MarketingCharts: If you have a background in marketing, you could consider pitching in-house marketing projects to this company to gain some experience.
  • CCND: Create content for their Real Estate and Property Management blog.
  • AARP: The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has a lot of experience publishing influential articles, and they need someone to help them bring their thoughts to life in the form of engaging content.
  • Forbes: One of the most respected brands in the world, Forbes publishes influential infographics, how-to articles, and plenty of material for marketers. They also have a specialized team of reporters and analysts who do all the legwork of finding the latest news stories and providing context for their readers.

Magazine Articles And Book Reviews

If you are someone who values your personal life then working for a magazine or publishing house is a great fit. You get to go home at the end of the day and enjoy the little things in life. Even if you don’t end up pursuing this as a career, it’s still a great option for those looking for something flexible to do. A magazine editor is someone who crafts articles for publication; it could be for a national newspaper, a brand-specific publication, or even a digital magazine. You will be provided with a topic and given a general idea of how much material you should produce. The amount of work is typically determined by the size of your vocabulary and the complexity of the ideas you are able to produce. If you are a fast typer, you could consider gaining experience by doing some freelance writing for publication. Some of the more prominent titles that need articles and book reviews include:

  • BusinessWeek: If you have a background in journalism, you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • The New York Times: If you are a journalist then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • The Wall Street Journal: The Wall Street Journal also has a lot of experience in the area of in-house journalism, so if you are a journalist then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • The Harvard Business Review: If you have a background in business then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • McKinsey: If you have a background in business or finance then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • U.S. News & World Report: If you are a business or finance journalist then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • The Atlantic: If you are a journalist then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • The New Yorker: If you have a background in journalism then you could consider pitching in-house business stories to this company to gain some experience.
  • Grieco Publications: This company publishes several business magazines, including the Canadian Franchise Magazine and the Financial Post, and they need someone to take on a project-based role where you will be given a specific assignment and then get to work.

Online Opinion Article Marketing

If you are someone who enjoys being able to express their thoughts and opinions then this is the perfect job for you. You get to go home at the end of the day and enjoy the little things in life. Even if you don’t end up pursuing this as a career, it’s still a great option for those looking for something flexible to do. An opinion article marketer is someone who creates articles for online platforms like Medium and LinkedIn to promote products, services, and causes.

The best part about this option is that you get to choose your own hours. If you are someone who values your personal life then this is the perfect writing job for you. You get to go home at the end of the day and enjoy the little things in life. Depending on the size of your portfolio and the amount of work you are able to take on, you could consider moving into project management or content strategy for larger companies or venture-related portfolios.