| Want an easy way to build your freelance writing | | | | This is the thing about life stage and lifestyle |
| career? Here it is. Specialize. When you become | | | | writing: write about them when you can. You've |
| known as an expert writer in a topic or an area, | | | | got rich material all around you. Once this period |
| editors come to you and give you commissions. | | | | of your life is over, you won't have the interest in |
| The areas you can specialize in are unlimited. | | | | writing about it. |
| In this article we'll discuss areas you could | | | | 2. Write about your job's industry |
| specialize in, but here's the big tip: specialize in an | | | | Your job is part of an industry. It may be the |
| area you're passionate about. Your own deep | | | | health or the financial services industry. Whatever |
| interest makes research easy, because you're | | | | industry it is, you can write about it. (Always |
| "researching" anyway. It also means that your | | | | remembering not to reveal proprietary |
| enthusiasm comes through in your tone, which | | | | information.) |
| makes your writing highly readable. | | | | Make the most of the contacts and the |
| I started writing for computer magazines some | | | | information your day job brings you, and write |
| 20 years ago, and I'm still writing for them today. | | | | about your industry. |
| Once you become known for specializing in an | | | | Keep a notebook to help you to find ideas for |
| area, you'll get writing jobs, and will keep them for | | | | article topics. |
| a long time. This cuts down on the biggest time | | | | 3. Write and make fun profitable |
| waster of a freelance writer's career - job | | | | You can make your fun activities profitable. You |
| hunting. | | | | can write about travel, wine, antiques - anything |
| So let's look at three ways you can find areas in | | | | fun-related, which other people are interested in |
| which to specialize. | | | | too. |
| 1. Write about your life-stage or lifestyle | | | | How to Specialize: Just Write About the Area |
| Whatever life stage you're in, or lifestyle you | | | | Specializing is easy. Just start writing about an |
| have, you can write about it. | | | | area, and keep writing about it. You'll soon |
| For example, if you're in college, write about it. On | | | | discover whether specializing in an area is for you, |
| the other end of the time line, if you're a retiree, | | | | or not. |
| write about that. Every life stage has unique | | | | Many writers hit their specialist topic by accident. |
| challenges and concerns which provide rich | | | | An editor asks them to write about a topic, and |
| material for a writer who's experiencing them. | | | | then asks for more material. Before you know it, |
| Writing about lifestyles will never go out of fashion | | | | you're a specialist. |
| either. Lifestyle writing includes not only "home" | | | | The benefits of specialization are many: writing |
| and real estate writing, but also milestone writing - | | | | jobs come to you, you can charge more because |
| weddings, and so on. | | | | of your expert status, you may find book |
| Lifestyle writing also includes health issues: dieting, | | | | publishers approaching you with ideas - everyone |
| and health challenges like arthritis and cancer. | | | | loves a specialist. |
| If you're a new parent, or are home schooling | | | | Start thinking about the areas in which you could |
| children, those are prime areas for specialization - | | | | specialize today - your writing income will improve, |
| until your children grow older of course. | | | | and so will your status as a writer. |