Comments for Make A Living Writing http://www.makealivingwriting.com Frank advice for writers Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Leslie Miller http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75502 Leslie Miller Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:46:11 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75502 I have been copy-writing for three years, but am now trying to break into magazines. One previous job had me covering a lot of consumer issues, things like "Know your rights when a collection agency calls" or "How to negotiate a lower interest rate with your credit card companies." I enjoyed those pieces, so I suppose that could be my niche. But what I am really passionate about is personal growth. I can put that type of slant onto just about any topic. Do you think this is a good niche, Carol? I wonder how many markets there are interested in that... I do my best, most powerful writing in that area. I have been copy-writing for three years, but am now trying to break into magazines. One previous job had me covering a lot of consumer issues, things like “Know your rights when a collection agency calls” or “How to negotiate a lower interest rate with your credit card companies.” I enjoyed those pieces, so I suppose that could be my niche. But what I am really passionate about is personal growth. I can put that type of slant onto just about any topic. Do you think this is a good niche, Carol? I wonder how many markets there are interested in that… I do my best, most powerful writing in that area.
Leslie Miller recently posted..For a Newbie Trying to Break Into Magazines — Could Being Blocked at Every Turn Be a Gift in the Long Run?

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Lori http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75501 Lori Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:42:53 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75501 Thanks Carol, great idea about the tab. Actually I'm interested in the nonfiction how-to aspect of creative writing for teens. So thought of pitching some articles to see if there's an interest and then looking toward a book. Thanks Carol, great idea about the tab. Actually I’m interested in the nonfiction how-to aspect of creative writing for teens. So thought of pitching some articles to see if there’s an interest and then looking toward a book.

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Carol Tice http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75499 Carol Tice Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:31:49 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75499 Love this story, Mikalee. I certainly had never run a business, much less a large public company, when I started writing about business. But after being thrown into the pool - as I recall one of the very first stories I had to write at one staff gig required analyzing a 200-page IPO filing - I found myself fascinated by the world of business. Thanks for adding a great story about how getting out there and writing a lot helps you discover where your good-paying niches are. Love this story, Mikalee. I certainly had never run a business, much less a large public company, when I started writing about business. But after being thrown into the pool – as I recall one of the very first stories I had to write at one staff gig required analyzing a 200-page IPO filing – I found myself fascinated by the world of business.

Thanks for adding a great story about how getting out there and writing a lot helps you discover where your good-paying niches are.

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Carol Tice http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75498 Carol Tice Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:28:37 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75498 I don't think so, Lori. You might start a tab for that on your site. But mostly when you're submitting fiction you submit the completed piece, and it's your calling card. Just knock their socks off with the story. I don’t think so, Lori. You might start a tab for that on your site. But mostly when you’re submitting fiction you submit the completed piece, and it’s your calling card. Just knock their socks off with the story.

]]> Comment on Why Freelance Writers Need to Make $100 an Hour by January Recap and Lessons Learned « Startup Freelancer http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2011/08/15/freelance-writers-100-hour/#comment-75497 January Recap and Lessons Learned « Startup Freelancer Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:22:10 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1267#comment-75497 [...] on my first $100 per hour assignment (not a huge one, but still an amazing [...]

[...] on my first $100 per hour assignment (not a huge one, but still an amazing [...]

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Mikalee Byerman http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75496 Mikalee Byerman Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:58:20 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75496 I have found two so-called recession-proof niches that are both lucrative and compelling: healthcare and education. I write for both major hospitals in my town, and I also write for numerous colleges at my state university (each college has its own budget for its own marketing materials). Of course, one of my most popular blog posts is called "Dear Universe, Can You Hear Me Now?"; in it, I essentially make endless fun of "The Secret" and the power of suggestion. The irony is that I'll probably end up afflicted with cancer, considering how much I write about it (both for the hospitals and the university). Seriously. I know more about cancer than I ever thought possible -- especially given my medicine- and healthcare-free educational background! I guess that just proves you really can learn just about anything through research. It also underscores the influence of a powerful profile -- most of my writing centers on people, not medicine. I have found two so-called recession-proof niches that are both lucrative and compelling: healthcare and education. I write for both major hospitals in my town, and I also write for numerous colleges at my state university (each college has its own budget for its own marketing materials).

Of course, one of my most popular blog posts is called “Dear Universe, Can You Hear Me Now?”; in it, I essentially make endless fun of “The Secret” and the power of suggestion. The irony is that I’ll probably end up afflicted with cancer, considering how much I write about it (both for the hospitals and the university).

Seriously. I know more about cancer than I ever thought possible — especially given my medicine- and healthcare-free educational background!

I guess that just proves you really can learn just about anything through research. It also underscores the influence of a powerful profile — most of my writing centers on people, not medicine.

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Cynthia Rosi http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75494 Cynthia Rosi Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:49:15 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75494 I'm finding my niche through my husband's winery. I've found I really enjoy talking to people about grape growing, wine production and sales. Who knew! Now I have to leverage that into new publications. The articles I'm doing now show that I can tackle business information, as well as technical articles about growing grapes. I’m finding my niche through my husband’s winery. I’ve found I really enjoy talking to people about grape growing, wine production and sales. Who knew! Now I have to leverage that into new publications. The articles I’m doing now show that I can tackle business information, as well as technical articles about growing grapes.
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]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Pinar Tarhan http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75488 Pinar Tarhan Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:40:41 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75488 The good news is I have several niches that I enjoy writing about. The bad news is that one of them is entertainment. The pay isn't great, and as you said it is a bit crowded. But I love it so much, I don't want to give up on it yet. While I don't enjoy writing about technology, I love business topics. I am a Business Major so I highlight that when I'm pitching to clients. I also noticed a new niche- teaching ESL right after I got my Celta certificate. I love teaching English and writing so it is perfect for me. The good news is I have several niches that I enjoy writing about. The bad news is that one of them is entertainment. The pay isn’t great, and as you said it is a bit crowded. But I love it so much, I don’t want to give up on it yet.

While I don’t enjoy writing about technology, I love business topics. I am a Business Major so I highlight that when I’m pitching to clients. I also noticed a new niche- teaching ESL right after I got my Celta certificate. I love teaching English and writing so it is perfect for me.
Pinar Tarhan recently posted..How to Make Your Editor Happy with Linda Formichelli’s Editors Unleashed

]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Catwoman http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75487 Catwoman Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:37:59 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75487 Really nice text, it is really hard to find the right niche. You are totally right, there some niches which are payed better than other. But the first thing is, to get passionate about the niche you're writing about. Without passion, there won't be a content from a high quality. The optimal way is I think, that we have to choose from the well-payed niches the one, which has something to do with our favorite things, hobbies etc. Thanks for sharing this useful and informative article! Really nice text, it is really hard to find the right niche. You are totally right, there some niches which are payed better than other. But the first thing is, to get passionate about the niche you’re writing about. Without passion, there won’t be a content from a high quality. The optimal way is I think, that we have to choose from the well-payed niches the one, which has something to do with our favorite things, hobbies etc. Thanks for sharing this useful and informative article!
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]]> Comment on How to Figure Out Your Best-Paying Freelance Writing Niche by Lori http://www.makealivingwriting.com/2012/02/06/figure-best-paying-freelance-writing-niche/#comment-75484 Lori Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:48:23 +0000 http://www.makealivingwriting.com/?p=1641#comment-75484 I found my food/nutrition and health niche through my writing friend and mentor. She's an R.D. turned freelance writer who took me under her wing and now that's what I write about. I began writing for parenting magazines but always gravitated toward health and fitness so the nutrition slant is right in my interest. I love it but I also am a former writing instructor and want to get started on creative writing articles and eventually a book for young adults. The problem is I don't know how to get started when my website and all my clips are food related. Do I really need another website to showcase what I can do? I found my food/nutrition and health niche through my writing friend and mentor. She’s an R.D. turned freelance writer who took me under her wing and now that’s what I write about. I began writing for parenting magazines but always gravitated toward health and fitness so the nutrition slant is right in my interest. I love it but I also am a former writing instructor and want to get started on creative writing articles and eventually a book for young adults. The problem is I don’t know how to get started when my website and all my clips are food related. Do I really need another website to showcase what I can do?

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