Career Tips for Writers: How to Diversify and Have a Freelance Niche at the Same Time

Posted by Marci Hotsenpiller Sep 11, 2009

Editor Jill Browne offers further career advice for freelance writers ...

Successful freelance writers build on a solid knowledge base to develop one or more subject matter niches, and then they diversify their markets.

In response to the fear that globalization and the availability of cheap content will take away paying writing opportunities from freelancers who can't compete on price, I suggested in an earlier blog that localization is a good strategy. It builds on the old advice, "Write what you know", and on a more spiritual level, Joseph Campbell's "Follow your bliss."

Where the rubber hits the road is always in the "how". How can you competitively write what you know? Isn't it dangerous to put all your eggs in one basket?

A Travel Writer Adds His Own Travel Websites

Here's what some successful online freelancers have to say. These writers write for Suite101 but that is not their only market.

"I wish I'd got into writing for the internet even sooner than I did, and started building up my websites, although where I would have found the time, I don't know."

– Mike Gerrard,Suite101.com Feature Writer for U.K. and Ireland Travel

Websites: Mike Gerrard, Travel Writer and Photographer

and http://www.pacific-coast-highway-travel.com

Mike has written or contributed to over 30 guidebooks including the National Geographic Traveler Guide to Greece, Top Ten Paris (Doris Kindersley), and The Traveler's Atlas to Europe (Barron's).

Mike knows his subject area and has been continually expanding the outlets for his work. He has chosen to own his own websites as well as writing for others. This is a common strategy used by successful writers.

DIY Expert Makes Money Writing About Home Renovations

"I have four blogs... I would suggest having multiple, multiple streams of income. This is much more important as more of the industry shifts from paper to online."

– Kelly Smith, Suite101.com Feature Writer for Home Renovation / Repair

Website: http://www.icanfixupmyhome.com

Kelly Smith is also a subject matter expert. Being a qualified carpenter, he speaks with knowledge and credibility about fixing things around the house, do-it-yourself, and how to be an informed consumer in the home renos market. Kelly has also worked hard to understand the many potential income streams available to writers and web owners.

For example, some websites, like Suite101, get their revenues from Google Ads, a program that is widely available to writers. Others use affiliate links to sell products on commission. Others sell ads directly to businesses. There are many advertising and affiliate programs available to choose from. Often a writer needs to have an established website or blog to make these work. That's a good reason to get started with an online presence early.

Guidebook Author Has Online and Print Markets

Karen Berger is an established author of guidebooks on two very different topics: hiking and piano. She too preaches diversification, but within the markets where you have the advantage of knowing the topic.

"My first piece of advice: Diversify, and try to avoid having one income stream be more than 25 percent of your income. Diversify by media type as much as possible, and by specific market. I personally believe in specializing – IF you have a topic area you can truly claim an expertise in . But realize you can parlay this specailty across the board, into working for different types of media and markets."

– Karen Berger, Suite101.com Feature Writer for Volunteer & Eco Adventures

Website: CreateWorkLive

Author of 13 books, including Backpacking and Hiking: An Eyewitness Companion(DK, 2005) and The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Piano Chords(Alpha/Penguin, 2007).

Freelancers Should Diversify Wisely

And finally, these words from Miranda Miller, Suite101.com Feature Writer for E-Commerce

Website: Adventures in Online Writing

"My advice is to find a niche and not try to be everything to everyone. I think diversity in where you find work is important, but belonging to too many sites can create extra paperwork and hassle. Be willing to give different strategies an honest shot, but know when to cut the cord and move on to something else.

I think it's important to have a variety of different TYPES of work coming in... Suite101 is good for creating long term, residual income. Elance and sites like it are good for picking up casual work. Having your own website is important for building an online business presence and professionalism. The higher pay rate offered by many print or industry-specific publications can help create enough income to make it full-time."

So, what the writers are saying and doing includes diversifying by subject, but sticking to subjects they know and love. Mike writes about Greece, the U.K., and the U.S. Pacific Coast. Karen covers adventure travel and music. Diversify by the type of income, as Miranda and Kelly say, mixing work that pays up front with work that pays as a stream of income over time. Diversify by the type of work: blogs, websites, books, ghostwriting, newspapers, magazines, your own websites – each holds a different type of opportunity.