Table of Contents
So, you’ve got some writing chops?
It’s your passion, your art. But what if it could be so much more?
Why not turn your love of writing into a career?
Writers are not just needed in the arts and entertainment industries. They’re needed in every sector—from education and government to healthcare and the CBD industry. The business ideas for writers are endless.
When you take time to develop your craft, you can create a career that gives you the freedom to work from home, dictate your working hours, and take on fulfilling projects.
From passion to profit: 6 business ideas for writers
The following business ideas for writers go beyond the basic “become a freelance writer” premise. Sure, that one is on the list because it’s a great side-gig that allows you to earn a living while working remotely. But it’s definitely not the only thing you can do with your writing skills.
1. Technical writer
A technical writer is someone that writes:
- Instruction manuals
- Professional journal articles
- How-to guides
They have a gift for communicating complex technical information in a way that’s easier for the layperson to grasp. Some industries that utilize these types of writers include:
- Science-based industries
- Computer
- Tech
- Management
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many companies that hire technical writers require a college degree, as well as some experience with the industry.
2. Editor
If you have incredible attention to detail, editing might be the career path for you.
As an editor, you can work as a freelancer, offering your services to freelance writers or small businesses (some do their own writing but do not employ a professional staff writer). Another option is to work for a magazine, newspaper, or other publication. Or, consider a publishing house, reviewing the work of well-known and not-yet-famous authors.
3. Columnist
A columnist is a writer that creates content for a publication, typically in a series of articles. Think Sex & the City’s Carrie Bradshaw.
Columnists’ work can appear in:
- Newspapers
- Online publications (like blogs)
- Print magazines
In most cases, the content created is written in the form of a short essay that offers the writer’s personal point of view about a specified topic.
4. Freelance content writer
One business idea for writers that has gained popularity within the past few years is freelance writing. If you’re a freelance writer, you’re self-employed and work with others as an independent contractor. You can choose full- or part-time work and earn a really good living, depending on what type of writing you do. Some options include:
- Blogs
- Web page content
- Social media content
- White pages
- Press releases
Freelance writers can submit articles to online or in-print publications. They can also write web content for a variety of businesses, including (but not limited to):
- Dentists
- Lawyers
- Doctors
- Coaches
- The hospitality industry
5. Video game writer
No, as a video game writer, you’re not just “playing.” Video games are now considered a legitimate sport—some people even anticipate that they’ll be part of the Olympic Games in the future.
There is a lot of money in the creation and development of video games, so if you’re a fan and have a creative flair, you might want to consider this career path.
As a video game writer, you will be part of the design team, which works together to create the storyline, characters and their backstories, and graphics. Knowledge of coding might help you communicate with your team more efficiently, whether you’re in an office or work remotely.
6. Marketing specialist
Communications officers create content to help reach their company’s marketing goals. They help create an abundance of marketing materials including:
- Digital content (emails, blogs, web page copy, eBooks)
- Brochures
- Press releases
To thrive in this role, you not only need good writing skills, but you also need to:
- Be able to follow branding guidelines
- Embrace the need for constant learning
- Be flexible
- Have great analytical skills
If you love social media, becoming a marketing specialist is a great option for you because social selling skills are so important for this position, too. Skills such as developing relationships with online followers/fans and building a community are vital to your success.
Skills every writer should spend time developing
Can you become a professional writer without having a college degree? Absolutely.
You do need to have knowledge of the particular industry, however, as well as the ability to take direction and follow any specific guidelines (what they want you to write and how they want you to write it). Or at least be willing to learn about those things.
Additionally, it is helpful if you’re willing to put effort into continually honing your skills. Just like a professional musician or athlete puts in the time to practice each day, you need to do this, too. Knowing how to write well is just the beginning. Here are some skills you’ll need to continue to develop as your career grows.
- Develop your unique voice (it will set you apart when you’re marketing your business)
- Read often and read writers who write better than you
- Learn new words (you don’t have to use words that no one else knows in your content but a large vocabulary will prevent your writing from sounding repetitive)
- Learn how to do research
- Learn how to self-edit
- Learn about cadence
As you write, keep the following process/steps in mind. They will make the writing process easier and help you create high-quality content.
Besides your writing skills, some other skills that will help you build a career include:
- Ambition
- Persistence
- Patience
- Strong communication skills
- Efficiency
- Focus
- Time management
Ready to start your side-gig? Don’t forget this important skill…
Sales is an important skill set to have as a full-time entrepreneur, side-hustler, or employee. If you want to work for your dream company as an on-staff writer, you’ll have to sell yourself at the interview. If you want to land clients as a freelancer, you’ll have to sell your skills in that scenario as well.
What if you don’t feel like you’re a competent salesperson? Try a part-time side gig with Vector Marketing. You don’t have to worry about investing in the company or a long-term commitment. Join us and get the training you need to become successful in sales and communication. Then, use those skills to build the writing career of your dreams.
Are you ready to start a side gig? Contact us today to request an interview.