Types of Freelance Writing Jobs
Writing provides several ways to make an income, either on the side or full-time. Here are a few different types of online writing jobs you can get:
1. Content Writing
As a content writer, you’ll be responsible for almost all written words posted on the internet. Your tasks could include writing anything from blog posts to white papers, guides, how-to articles, and social media content.
You aim to help brands promote products, inform their audience, and improve sales through carefully crafted texts.
Apart from writing skills, you’ll also need to know how to convey clear messages in your pieces and address your articles to a diverse target audience.
2. Copywriting
If you become a copywriter, you’ll have many of the same tasks as a content writer. You’ll rely more on several psychological tactics to gently nudge readers to go through a company’s marketing funnel.
In this case, your writing should be informative and compelling enough to get a consumer to convert. Using these persuasion tactics is what makes a successful copywriter.
3. Business Writing
If you’re not into creative writing, then business writing may be more suitable for you. These types of freelance jobs involve creating materials such as:
- Reports
- Emails
- Memos
- Internal SOPs, etc.
In this role, you’ll handle all communication for a company, whether it’s intended for external or internal use. In a way, you become the company’s voice, sending out important information to employees, customers, stakeholders, and more.
4. Newspaper Writing
Newspaper writing involves all the different types of texts you could see on an online news site or even traditional print media.
For example, reporters need to convey their message clearly, often in short articles that present the readers with key facts about an event.
Investigative journalists often combine news writing with storytelling techniques to ensure their pieces aren’t only clear but also engaging and able to make a greater impact.
But you don’t necessarily need to write about the news. Papers and online media sites can consider you for other positions, such as being a:
- Travel writer
- Critic (food, music, movies)
- Tech writer
- Health writer
- Collaborator (such as opinion writers)
- Lifestyle writer, etc.
5. Technical Writing
As a technical writer, you must have in-depth knowledge of certain technologies to communicate their key facts to a specific audience effectively.
You’ll most likely work on staff at certain newspaper and tech companies, where you’ll create user manuals or reports for shareholders.
In all these cases, you’ll need to simplify the information to ensure the target audience (regardless of their knowledge levels) understands it.
6. Social Media Writing
As a social media writer, your most important job would be to create engaging content that helps a brand meet its bottom line.
This could include improving brand perception, growing a large following, or even selling more products. You’ll also need to match the brand voice and ensure consistent communication across all channels.
And so, you must have in-depth knowledge of these platforms and how they can be efficiently used.
7. Editing and Proofreading
Your writing skills can also be used in an editor or proofreader position. Knowing how to make an engaging piece also means you can help others do the same.
As an editor, you’ll look at the overall text to help writers improve flow, language, make it more engaging, or improve its clarity.
As a proofreader, you’re more concerned with grammar and word choice and the one who makes all published articles free of any mistakes.
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