How To Become a Writer For Hire
Making a Living Writing Can Mean Selling Talent Instead of Books
Writing articles in the hope of selling them to online or print magazines or newspapers can be a risky business. If a person has a talent as a writer, and is prepared to work to someone else’s specifications, then it is possible to make a living as a writer for hire.
What is a "Writer for Hire?"
In journalism, most reporters answer to their editors and deliver their stories in the form that is required by the newspaper. A “writer for hire” does the same thing for a variety of different employers.
Freelance writers who want to become a writer for hire, must have certain abilities. They must:
- Be adaptable and open-minded to possibilities. There is no room for ego as a writer for hire.
- Know the Market. A lot of research is required in terms of getting to know the types of jobs that are available.
- Know their own Abilities and Talents. There is no point in writers putting themselves forward for jobs they cannot do. They will only end up ruining their reputations.
- Learn To Sell their Talents. Writers for hire must be able to sell themselves and their abilities. There is no room for modesty when they are trying to convice employers that they are the best person for the job.
Knowing the Market
Knowing the market is one of the most important elements of becoming a writer for hire. Freelance sites, like Elance, offer a variety of opportunities perhaps in areas that a freelance writer may never have considered. So understanding the possibilities will increase every writer’s chances of being employed For example, writer for hire jobs can be found in…
- Copywriting or Sales Writing
- Freelance Technical Writing
- Business Writing
- Writing Web Content
- Ghost Writing
- Editing, Copy Editing & Proofreading
Copywriting or Sales Writing
Writing copy for brochures or advertising material or direct mail can be extremely lucrative if a writer can demonstrate the talent to write in persuasive and compelling way.
Freelance Technical Writing
Freelance technical writing is very well paid because it requires the ability to research, understand and then explain complex scientific or technical information. The technical writer must have the ability to temporarily become an expert in a particular field in order to write manuals or other material of a specialist nature.
Business Writing
Freelance writers can find work as “virtual assistants” for a business. Many managers are looking for someone who can combine organizational skills and basic secretarial skills such as memo and letter writing with the ability to write press releases, web copy, reports, power point presentations, marketing brochures, as well as. Some companies are even paying people to blog for their company!
Writing Web Content
Companies who create and design websites often do not possess the writing skills required to finish the website in a professional manner, and will hire writers to write the web content for them.
Ghost Writing
Ghost writer can find themselves doing all sorts of writing jobs: from “autobiographies” to “how-to” books. If a writer has a particular talent, such as screenwriting, then they can find work re-writing other people’s scripts. As long as a writer is prepared to forego having their name credited on the piece of work, they can find work and make a substantial amount of money being a “ghost”.
Editing, Copy Editing & Proofreading
Editing other people’s writing, copy-editing, and proofreading are all areas where a writer can be hired as a freelance. These are specialist jobs, however, and it is important to know and understand all the professional requirements and expectations.
Find out more about the Basics of Freelance Writing and increase your chances of making a living as a freelance writer.
Janice Hally – The Basics of Freelance Writing
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