10 Additional Career Paths for Freelance Writers
Saturday September 20, 2008
Although my comments about making a living and paying the bills may intimate that my career is all about the moolah, I am also a freelance writer due to sheer joy in working with words. Here are 10 additional career paths that freelance writers may want to explore. All of these fields relate to communication and/or working with the written language, and many of them can be done in a freelance capacity.
- Editing and proofreading. Look, not every writer can (or should) also be an editor or proofreader, and vice versa. But for those who are strong enough in both, this is often the first branch off the freelance writing tree.
- Freelance reading services. Yes, you can get paid to read. Publishers, agents, book summarizing services and audio book recorders are examples of industries that pay others to read their material.
- Translation. The growing population of ESL speakers in the U.S. means that this market is a rich one.
- Blogging. Ok, some writers consider this a niche of freelance writing, but wither way, be sure to get started in blogging here at About.com.
- Indexing. Guess what? Most of the indexes in non-fiction books are done by freelancers. Take a look at the American Society for Indexing FAQ.
- PR and Marketing. These fields rely on the printed word, and often target the same types of publications that freelance writers are accustomed to working with. There's a lot to learn about the PR and marketing field before you get started though.
- Virtual assistant. Since administrative tasks rely on dealing with the written word, you may want to think about selling your business writing services under the auspices of a VA business.
- Grant research and writing. Since grants are presented almost entirely through the written word, you've got a definite advantage as a writer who is used to laying out ideas in the medium.
- Teaching. Whether you're teaching about writing at the local community college, or instructing ESL speakers at a non-profit in your area, teaching about words and their meanings may be second nature for you.
- Creative writing. Tired of writing user manuals and articles about baby bottles? It might be time to flex your creative muscles instead.
Comments
Great leads for the beginning freelance writer. It’s hard to get started without clips. Thanks for your tips.
Ginny
Allena,
These are great tips for any beginning writer. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out what to do if you write, but it doesn’t bring in the money. Thanks for the great ideas.
Hi, glad you all enjoyed. And just in case someone is wondering which of these I’ve done, I have had some luck in mid-level editing, I have a translation business “on the side” and I used to do FT PR/marketing writing and FT grant managment.
I am a freelance writer from India. I have written for four magazines apart from our national newspaper, The Times of India. I have 42 published articles in all the links of which are on my blog- http://wplay.wordpress.com/
Since it is impossible to make a career out of Freelance writing in India, can you suggest something for people like me?
Allena,
Thanks for the list. I would like to know more about freelance reading. Where can we find information on companies hiring? Thanks, Margo
Hi Hiren,
I see many writers from India on bidsites such as http://www.elance.com and http://www.guru.com. You’ll need to set up a paypal account (www.paypal.com) in order to be paid, but it’s easy and safe to do that.
Margo:
well, I’m not sure of the career path for an agent, although my assumption is that they come from publishing.
Here are some book review markets: http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/001002_12172003.html
Getting paid for book reviews works like getting other freelance writing jobs- for example, I got a book summary client through ELance.com.
As for audio book reading, I’d go right to the source- the publsihers- for that one.
Thank you for always giving solid advice for freelance writers! I would like to offer free e-books to anyone who visits I Love To Write Day at http://www.ilovetowriteday.org The e-books are: “How I Made $66,270 in 9 Months Writing for Websites” and “Getting a Book Contract in 30 Days or Less.” I launched ILTWD in 2002 to have people of all ages practice writing every November 15. Over 20,000 schools all across the country hold special ILTWD events and activities every year. I Love To Write Day is FREE; please visit and help spread the word!