Whether you’re writing a weekly blog or seeking to branch out to new print publications or new markets, finding a strong niche is important to a strong freelance writing career. However, a lot of advice you’ll read online will suggest that you find one niche and stick with it. That way lies boredom.
Yes, it’s important to find a niche and become an authority on a topic. However, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one area of expertise. Instead, develop two or three strong niches, following your passion to find the best fit.
Targeting your Niche
So you've determined that you need to develop your niche or niches. What next? Start making some lists, including information such as:
- What you like to read
- What magazines, blogs and e-groups you subscribe to
- Writers you like and admire
- Formats you like
- Industries in which you have interest or expertise
- Audiences you’d like to write for
These are just a few ways to determine which niches would be a good fit for you. The next step is to come up with ideas to fit a niche or two.
Exploring Niches
As you list the ideas, examine how you feel about each one. Write up a 400 word article on each one; think of it as writing practice. As you write, consider how you feel about the topic. Do you feel energized as you write? This is always a good clue to a niche you can keep at. If you lack passion, your writing will suffer and your readers will quickly lose interest.
For each niche, consider all the different forms your article might take, such as:
- lists
- interviews
- reviews
- features
- Top 10
Consider Blogging
Even if your ambition is to writer stellar articles for top print magazines, or to write informational pieces for trade publications, a blog can be a huge asset to your freelance career.
Whether you are sending out query letters to magazines, bidding on "freelance exchange" sites, or soliciting work from local businesses, new clients like to see samples of your work. For each of your chosen niche markets, you’ll need strong samples, and where better to feature these than your blog?
You may even choose to have two or three blogs, or write for selected online sites to prove your ability to write authoritatively on your niche topics.
What to Avoid
Go to some of the top blog sites and read through a lot of blogs. Pick up a stack of magazines and leaf through them. You’ll quickly find that far too many writers rely on the latest buzzwords and trends for their articles. While this may give you a quick start, it’s not a good idea to rely on the “latest and greatest” for your niche.
Don’t rely too heavily on popular keyword searches either. Instead, focus on strong writing, then find the best keywords to describe your work. Even if you’re marketing primarily to businesses or print publications, a knowledge of keywords can help you sell yourself and your writing.
Roxianne Moore - I used to think of myself primarily as a writer. Since early childhood, I've written stories and plays. My first poems were published ...
