Become a Specialist: Why Writers Must Niche Themselves

By: Susan Daffron
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:43:13
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

If you've been a freelance writer for a while, you are probably adept at two or three types of writing. If you are a good advertising copywriter, you can probably also write good catalog copy and good promotional copy. A good short story writer can often write good human-interest features. Some good technical writers can also write good how-to articles and instructional manuals.

However, like the old adage says, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. We've all seen writer Web sites where the person is attempting to be all things to all people. In nine cases out of ten, these writers over-promote their expertise. It's common to see the same person claim to be an expert at newsletters, autoresponder sequences, advertising copy, feature articles, technical reports, how-to books, sales letters, Web site copy, and motivational stories.

The reality is that too much information just confuses your potential customer. Claiming to be good at everything smacks of hype (or desperation). Both turn publishers off. Editors who control the most lucrative assignments want to hire experts. Do they want to hire a political columnist to write a manual about project management software? No.

Selling more than one skill set in the same portfolio, on the same Web site, with the same brochure and business cards only works if you have a strong, established client base and more work than you can handle. Otherwise, it's professional suicide.

Choosing one, two, or even three specialties can be an agonizing process for some writers. But remember that professional specialists always command higher fees than generalists. It's in your own best interest to sell only what you do best.

On the Internet it is remarkably easy to promote yourself to multiple markets. Just use multiple Web sites. For example, you might have a central company site that explains your business and lists your customers. Then you might set up a second site that just focuses on your newsletter writing services. There you can focus just on your newsletter experience. If you're saying, "but I don't have a Web site" that's a problem. At this point, every working writer today absolutely must have at least one Web site. It's not just nice to have -- it's expected.

When you are trying to decide on a writing specialty, always be sure to play to your strengths and interests. For example, a writer on technical subjects needs to be good at using computers. You have to be the type of person who is willing to read all those user guides. If you can't install (much less use) the software you are supposed to review, or if it bores you, you can't write about it. No editor wants to hear complaints about how your computer "won't work today and I don't know why." You need to be good at figuring out software and learning how it "thinks" reasonably quickly.

Similarly, if your specialty is writing about gardening, you had better have a garden. If you can't sell anything, don't become a marketing copywriter. If you think shopping is boring, don't write catalog copy. That old saw about writing what you know is true.

Your enthusiasm, or lack of it, shows through in your writing. Always. People can tell if you are faking it, and you won't get any assignments if your writing isn't authentic.

The bottom line reality is, if you want to get published, accept the fact that there's just too much competition out there. Then stop competing in a dozen markets and choose a few. Instead of trying to get every assignment, you can focus on winning the ones you can write absolutely brilliantly.

Susan Daffron is the President of Logical Expressions, Inc. (http://www.logicalexpressions.com) and is the author of more than 70 national magazine articles, 200 newspaper articles, two books, and online training courses. With hundreds of online articles to her credit, she regularly publishes ezines on computer tips (Logical Tips), pet care (Pet Tails), and other topics.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Ezines & Newsletters category

  • Creating a Newsletter.....Know the Different Formats - By: James Elliott
    An online newsletter can be created in three different formats - HTML, plain text and PDF. All three have different features, benefits and shortcomings. Keeping in view the purpose of your website and its target audience, it is essential to create your newsletter in the right format to effectively convey your message. This article explores these various formats in detail to help you choose the one most suitable for your newsletter.....
  • Utilizing a Grid in Newsletter Printing - By: Andrew Michaels
    A newsletter has many purposes and is used by many organizations. Clubs use newsletter printing for updating members on events, projects, and providing educational articles. Businesses connect with customers or employees with newsletters by including success stories, information on new products, and articles on utilizing products. Although newsletters may vary greatly in content, one element that they have in common is the use of a grid.
  • Increase Your Business Opportunities Now with Ezine - By: Sudhir Kumar
    Issuing free newsletters either electronic or paper is one among the best methods for building a group of customers and prospects as well as a bond of respect and trust among them.
  • How To Write An Effective Newsletter - By: Lynne Saarte
    Newsletter printing provides for an excellent way to communicate with both staff and customers. They can be used to convey the company mission statement and sales philosophy throughout the company. Newsletter printing can also be used to inform staff of the more mundane facets of corporate operations.
  • Swapping to Make Your Ezine Publication a Success - By: Mandeep Singh
    Publishing an ezine is a terrific way to promote your products to your visitors and achieve more sales. Your ezine can also be used to carry out joint ventures or ad swaps that will increase your subscriptions or put more money in your pocket.
  • Create An HTML Newsletter - By: Parshant Puri
    OK So you've decided it's time to send an HTML newsletter to your email list but you're not quite sure where to start? No Problem, we've all been there. I tried and tested many times before I created my first successful html newsletter. Creating an HTML Newsletter is very similar to creating a webpage, with some minor twists on the old rules. Now if you already know how to create a webpage then you won't have any problems.
  • Writing a Newsletter Can Stir up Client Response - By: Manish Kumar
    Newsletter writing can be a powerful tool for marketing and communication to supplement company or businesses' external marketing efforts while intensifying their internal communications. It is one of the best choices for advertising and marketing options to endorse your business because newsletter writing can back up quite a few goals right away.
  • Kick Starting Your Newsletter - By: Aurelius Tjin
    You are just a click away from contact with your clients and prospects by e-newsletter. The savings in postage, printing and sorting for the post office is nothing short of wonderful. And by adding photos and images, your newsletter is a full color, graphically enhanced image of your business with a fraction of the time that paper newsletters require.
  • Strategic Planning For Your Printed Newsletters - By: Lynne Saarte
    Similar to your flyer printing project, your marketing message in your newsletters can’t do without a planning procedure. The planning process is significant because it provides you with the time to sort out how you’re overall look for your newsletter would be, what elements would be included, as well as how you’re going to get your print materials right on time. Here are a few more tricks to help you plan your print newsletter.
  • My Little Red Diary Part 3: Where I Went Today - By: Kym Moore
    From the pages of your diary, you had to write about some place you visited. It could have been for a special occasion or a place where your parents forbade you to go. Visual stimulation for your travel composition is dependant upon your recollections and making it exciting enough for the reader to enjoy.