Becoming a content writer is a dream for many. That is because freelance content writing is a lucrative career option that can be pursued by anyone who has the necessary skill set.
Content writing jobs are such an attractive option today. It can be an excellent way to earn more money than you would in a full-time job, if pursued long term. It also gives you the freedom to work from home or your own office space.
In order to make more money as a content writer, you must know the different types of content writing currently in demand. This way, you can choose the right option for your freelance writing career.
In this article, we will explore 12 best types of content writing that freelancers need to know to get started and make more money online.
12 Types of Content Writing for Freelancers:
1. Creative Writing:
Creative writing is a form of writing that focuses on the expression of feelings and emotions, and not just facts. Creative writers can write fiction or non-fiction. They can also write poetry, drama, and scripts.
A freelance creative writer is someone who writes pieces for journals, magazines, newspapers or other publishing outlets in exchange for payment.
For example, you can write short stories and sell them to magazines, newspapers, or other publications. You can also write for yourselves and publish your work on the internet.
2. Copywriting:
Copywriters are writers who create content for various purposes such as advertising, public relations, marketing and other forms of media. Copywriters are skilled in the art of persuading people to take actions or buy products through written text.
Copywriting requires a lot of creativity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to understand different audiences.
3. Grant Writing:
Grant writers are freelance professionals who are responsible for researching, writing and submitting grant proposals on behalf of their clients.
Grant writers can be found in a variety of industries, including education, public health, social services and the arts. They are also often found in government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Grant writing is a complex process that can be difficult to master. It takes time, effort and expertise to understand the nuances of nonprofit grant writing. As a result, many freelance grant writers are now offering their services to nonprofits that are looking for help with the process of securing grants.
4. White Paper Writing:
A white paper is designed to be an authoritative source on a particular subject. It may also be designed for marketing purposes.
A white paper writer is someone who specializes in writing and designing documents that provide an overview of the product or service. A white paper writer writes these documents, which are often used to educate potential customers about a company's products and services. They are also used by companies to educate their employees about new products, processes, and policies.
5. Blog Writing:
Blog writers are internet writers who use blogs to express their thoughts and feelings. They might work for an organization or company and write about their work, or they might be an individual who writes about their life, family, interests, etc.
Many blog websites hire freelancers for publishing unique content on their blogs.
6. Editing and Proofreading:
Editors and proofreaders are professionals who work with authors to improve the quality of their work. They make sure that the content is consistent, well-written, and free of errors.
Editors and proofreaders have various responsibilities. Some editors may also be in charge of formatting or designing a book for publication. A proofreader will check for typos, misspellings, grammatical mistakes, and other errors in content that has been written by an author or copywriter.
If you are a freelance writer with a keen eye for detail and excellent writing skills, editing and proofreading might be the right choice for you.
7. Technical Writing:
Technical writing is a form of communication that is specifically designed to help people understand how to use a product, software, or other technical topic.
The development of technical writing has been influenced by the need for clarity and attention to detail. Technical writers are often required to possess expertise in the subject matter they are writing about.
Technical writers have a variety of responsibilities including: identifying the audience for their work; understanding the context in which their work will be used; developing an outline for their document; researching and gathering information from sources such as interviews with subject matter experts and existing documentation; organizing that information into sections within the document; creating headings, subheadings, lists, tables, charts and graphs as appropriate; adding images or illustrations where necessary; and editing content for grammar, spelling errors, style etc.
8. SEO Writing:
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a marketing technique that is used to increase the number of visitors to a website by ranking higher in search engine results pages.
Freelance SEO writers are professionals who offer their writing services for companies who want to rank higher on search engines. They write articles, blogs, and other content for websites which are optimized for search engines. While some SEO writers work on-site with the company they are working with, others work remotely.
9. Academic Writing:
Academic writing is a specific type of writing done by academic writers. Academic writers are generally freelance, or they work for an academic institution. They often have a PhD in their field and years of experience in academia before becoming an independent writer.
10. Ghost Writing:
A ghostwriter is a type of freelancer that writes for clients. They work mostly with celebrities, politicians, and business people. The term "ghostwriter" refers to the fact that they are not credited for their work.
Ghostwriters write books, articles, speeches and more for their clients. They are often hired to help those who don't have the time or skills to write in-depth pieces themselves.
11. Business Writing:
Freelance business writers are in high demand. They are needed for a variety of writing tasks, like writing press releases, business related articles, or blog posts, content marketing brochures and newsletters, product descriptions for e-commerce portals etc.
12. Journalism:
In today's digital age of journalism, the freelance journalist is an increasingly popular career choice.
Freelance journalists are independent writers who work for themselves and do not have a permanent job. They often work for different media outlets, companies and organizations to report the news or write articles.
Depending on the organization, freelance journalists may be responsible for their own expenses, such as travel costs, phone bills, research materials, and equipment.
Final Thoughts:
Now that you have understood the various types of content writing options that freelancers have, take your time to reflect on these content writing types and decide which one is the best fit for you.
What type of content writing would you choose as a freelance content writer? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!