The Most Profitable Freelance Writing Niche

I saw something on Twitter yesterday that made me click.

It was a blog post promising the most profitable freelance writing niches right now. I read through the list. Uh huh. Some of them I agreed with.

But all of them sounded limiting.

I won’t fault the blogger for pointing out what in essence is a list of projects a writer can focus on. That’s a great idea to come up with new project areas you can pitch to current clients. What didn’t work for me was that these niches — case studies, video scripts, etc. — were sending a message that a writer needs only one project type in their toolbox.

That may be so. But my lord, how boring.

That’s my opinion, of course. You may be perfectly fine with writing 40-50 white papers a year or 80-90 sales emails or 65 video scripts or….

You get the idea.

Here’s the only freelance writing niche you need:

You.

Yep. That’s your niche.

What makes you so special — what makes you a niche — is what you bring to the project in front of you. A client hiring you is getting someone who isn’t going to work like any other writer. You bring these things and probably more to the table:

• Specialized skill (even if you’re a generalist)
• A unique voice and style
• The ability to handle multiple project types
• The way you build the client relationship
• Your experience
• A familiarity with the market needs of your clients

Didn’t know you had all that in you, did you?

In a way, your niche is also your brand. Who you are, how you work with clients, what results you deliver — that’s all you. You’re in control of the message you send to clients and of the way you write.

Look at the writers you know in your circle. Do they work exactly like you? No. They can be fantastic writers just like you are, but they’re going about their business in their way. A client working with them is going to have a different experience than the one they’d have working with you.

How do you sell your niche (basically you)?

Know how to talk to your target audience.

Don’t go all business jargon-y or authoritative (unless that’s who you are), but do read through their websites and get a sense of how they communicate. Then write a note that tells them who you are (briefly) and how you can benefit them. Introduce yourself and ask for a future conversation. Be yourself in your communication.

Know what you want.

If you want to sell to your potential client right out of the gate, that’s up to you. I wouldn’t, but I’m not you. Knowing the purpose of reaching out helps you get the words right.

Clarify your message.

If you send an email like this, you’re going to lose customers:

I’m a freelance writer who specializes in insurance writing, but I’m also a budding poet and novelist, and for fun I like to journal. I can write everything from shopping lists to annual reports, and I’ve worked for children’s magazines and even had my article in Vogue.

Who are you exactly? That’s what that potential customer is wondering.

Keep your message focused on who they are and what they need. Remember, it’s not about you (well, only just a little).

Writers, describe your niche (you).
How do you convey that to your potential clients?