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How to Make a Writing Career Work for YouBy Francine L. HuffLearning & Life Columnist October 23, 2007
Forget the romanticized image of the starving writer slaving away at the great American novel that will probably never get published. There are a host of other high-paying opportunities for freelance writers, if you have the right skills.
Writing Courses Get You StartedYou don't have to major in English or creative writing to become a freelance writer. But you do need to have a good command of the English language, the ability to write clearly, and good organizational skills. You can take freelance writing courses online or at schools in your area. You can also earn a journalism or communications degree to learn the nuts and bolts of story structure, editing, and interview techniques. There's also the potential to carve out a niche in a specialized area such as science, arts and entertainment, business or writing for children.Types of Writing JobsMany writers start out their freelance career with the assumption that they will write only magazine articles. However, many freelance writers earn their bread and butter by doing copywriting for corporations, small businesses, public relations firms, or advertising agencies. More freelance writers are also getting assignments from Web sites, including writing blogs. Technical writers specialize in making very technological or scientific information easier to understand, in writing user manuals and similar publications.Job and Salary OutlookTechnical writers and other specialists have the strongest job outlook, especially in medicine, economics, and law. Freelance writing is a great job for people who want to have flexible schedules. About one-third of writers and editors were self-employed in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced freelance writers often charge $75 an hour or more for their services (though this includes all their business costs).Many publications and companies need good writers and are willing to pay them well. If you are good at staying motivated, meeting deadlines, and organizing information, then a freelance writing career may be a good fit. Sources
About the Author Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows. More Creative Career Articles |
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