Freelance writing is one of the most popular forms of self employment. But how many different self employment jobs really fall under this wide umbrella of grammatical perfection and wordsmithing? Some would-be self employed professionals may shy away from certain job listings, even ignoring them completely, because they believe they aren’t qualified for the position. But are they? Succeeding in freelance writing begins with defining the different types of freelance writing jobs available.
Freelance Writing Jobs
Many sites which frequently post freelance writing jobs also offer a wide range of categories - lists which can be confusing, even overwhelming, for those who are just getting started (and even those who aren’t). Know the types of freelance writing jobs out there to know what might just be possible for self employment.
- Technical writing. In many cases, technical writing positions pay very well. In the main, technical writing jobs will be varied - everything from product reviews to lengthy discussion articles. Each job may require different word lengths, but all technical writing jobs will have one thing in common: technology is the focus. A working knowledge of computers, cell phones, electrical products - or, a working knowledge of how to learn about these things - is necessary for these types of freelance writing jobs.
- Copywriting. Copywriting jobs revolve around marketability. Often, these jobs will entail writing product descriptions, press releases, mass emails, newsletters and Web page copy (words). Copywriting will be written with a marketing-friendly slant and often in a specific tone at the employer’s request. Ever looked through a catalog? That’s copywriting, in a nutshell, and it can be a very lucrative source of freelance writing jobs.
- Ghost writing. Like technical writing, all types of writing (even novel-writing) could potentially fall under the umbrella of “ghost writing.” What all ghost writing jobs have in common is this: no byline. The actual author of the ghostwritten pieces will remain anonymous. Often, another person’s name will be attached to the work. For some freelance writers, ghost writing jobs are unattractive because they provide no credit.
- Journalism. Freelance journalism jobs are not as common as other types of freelance writing gigs, but they are still out there. Journalists are reporters. They are often expected to write newsworthy articles on topics of interest while following strict Associate Press (AP) guidelines for structure, punctuation and capitalization. Often, freelance journalism jobs come with a geography requirement ("applicants must live within X miles of New York City," for instance). Writers who enjoy current events may find journalism jobs to be a perfect choice.
- Blogging. Many blogging opportunities are available in the freelance writing job market. Blog posts are shorter in word count than traditional articles, and they are written in a very informal tone. Self employed writers who enjoy working every day and staying up-to-date with all the “Internet buzz” may find blogging to be an ideal freelance writing job.
KC Morgan - KC Morgan has been the featured writer in Self-Employment since 2006, using personal experience to create guides to being self-employed.
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