Skilled writers can find work in a wide range of fields.
Learn more about the various types of writing jobs available and the skills
required to land a professional writing position.
5 Features of People Who Succeed in Writing Positions
Many different characteristics can contribute to a
successful writer. Here are a few distinguishing characteristics of great
writers:
1. Adaptability: In an increasingly digital world, writers
who can adapt to technological changes have a better chance of success. Keeping
up with trends in SEO strategy, content marketing, and social media platforms will give you a
competitive advantage and a better understanding of how to use your writing.
2. Curiosity: Many successful writers have a natural
curiosity to learn new things. A love of learning can help to add intricate
detail to a short story, accuracy to a news story, and poignancy to ad copy.
3. Empathy: Writers, regardless of their profession,
must consider the reader's experience. Empathy in creative writing allows the
author to consider how a work of fiction might make their audience feel. A
great business writer who uses empathy to understand the perspectives of
customers is more likely to convert.
4. Perseverance: Whether you're a freelance writer,
novelist, or in-house copywriter, professional writers must have a strong work
ethic. Writing can be demanding in and of itself, but when it comes to
freelance writing jobs, one must also manage sourcing freelance work from
potential clients in order to keep an income. There will always be highs and
lows in any writing job”successful writers learn to persevere when the going
gets tough.
5. Point of view: Successful writers provide more than
just subject knowledge. They also offer a distinct point of view. When scanning
job boards, look for writing niches that are of personal interest to you to
ensure your writing has a point of view. For example, a former engineer looking
to transition into writing might look for copywriting jobs at tech startups.
4 Common Skill Requirements for Writing Jobs
Most writing jobs, whether freelance, part-time, or
full-time, require the following skills:
1. Communication skills: Writing jobs require strong verbal
communication skills in addition to strong writing skills. Interviews,
collaboration with team members, and participation in brainstorming sessions
may be required of writers.
2. Research skills: Professional writers usually receive
assignments that are outside of their expertise. That is why it is critical to
understand how to research a topic effectively and quickly.
3. Strong writing skills: Although a bachelor's degree
will not hurt your chances of landing a professional writing job (in fact, some
may require it), writing skills can often speak for themselves. Professional
writers must have a strong working knowledge of grammar and syntax, as well as
the ability to proofread and self-edit their work.
4. Time management skills: Deadlines are an essential part
of any writing job. Successful writers understand time management, prioritize
tasks, and work well in fast-paced environments.
13 Types of Writing Jobs
There are numerous careers for skilled writers, ranging from
creative writing to content creation to journalism. Consider the following
popular writing jobs:
1. Blogger: Bloggers create and distribute their own
content on the internet. When applying for formal writing jobs, new writers can
benefit from starting a blog to showcase their work. Though not limited to
nonfiction writing, blogs frequently provide curious readers with fact-based
information on a variety of topics such as food, travel, entertainment, and
technology. Learning how to craft a blog post to reach your target audience
successfully is a valuable skill, whether you're a creative writer looking for
an easy way to publish stories online or an entrepreneur looking to capture
potential clients.
2. Business writer: Most business writers work for
newspapers or magazines that publish content for specific industries, also
known as white papers. If you have a knack for networking and a thorough
understanding of industry terminology and concepts, business writing may be a
good fit.
3. Copy editor: Copy editors have a particularly strong
command of grammar and syntax. They collaborate closely with writers and other
editors to ensure that writing is consistent with the brand's style and voice.
Copy editing may also include the creation or revision of style guides.
4. Copywriter: Copywriting is the process of creating
copy for marketing and advertising purposes. Copywriters can be in-house
employees at a company or an advertising firm, or they can be freelance writers
hired to create copy for greeting cards, product descriptions, landing pages,
and other purposes.
5. Ghostwriter: Ghostwriters specialize in writing for
others, which necessitates the rare ability to write convincingly in the tone
of another person's voice. Ghostwriters collaborate with their clients, who
include high-ranking government officials and media personalities, to create a
narrative and tell their story in the first person.
6. Grant writer: The job of a grant writer is to assist
non-profits and small businesses in obtaining the funding they require to
operate. Grant writing is an excellent way to use your writing skills to help
communities in need. Discover how to write a grant proposal.
7. Journalist: Journalists, also known as news writers,
write everything from op-eds to news articles. A reporter, for example, uses an
expository style to report facts on a news story. A features writer or
editorial writer, on the other hand, may use a more persuasive tone and share
their point of view to persuade an audience on a specific issue or topic.
Discover how to become a journalist.
8. Media relations specialist: Public relations
professionals who specialize in media coverage distribute press releases to
newsrooms in order to gain exposure in newspapers, magazines, and television
programming. Well-written news releases can result in free marketing for a new
product or increased visibility for a small business.
9. Nurse writer: A nurse writer is a medical writer who uses
their nursing experience to write health-care articles. Nurse writers are
typically freelancers. They may write for medical journals, professional blogs,
health-care magazines, academic papers, and grant committees, among other
places. They may also serve as consultants for nursing-themed TV shows or
films.
10. Screenwriter: Screenwriters, also known as
scriptwriters, create original scripts for television shows and feature films.
Aaron Sorkin offers eight tips for aspiring screenwriters.
11. SEO writer: SEO, or search
engine optimization, is the process of attracting targeted traffic to a website
via organic (unpaid) rankings on a search engine results page (SERP). Organic
search results listings, as opposed to paid results such as pay-per-click
advertisements, are based on query searches and key terms.
12. Technical writer: Technical writers are frequently
employed in-house by businesses and corporations. Producing copy for
instructional manuals and system documentation is part of technical writing.
This type of work frequently necessitates the writer having in-depth knowledge
of a specific field or industry.
13. Web content writer: Writing web content entails
creating various types of content for the internet and social media. Some web
content writing jobs fall under the categories of content marketing, SEO, or user
experience writing.
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