How to finally find your high paying freelance writing niche

freelancing basics getting clients Oct 18, 2021
 

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Does this sound like you? You want to become a full-time freelance writer. You dream of replacing your current 9-5 income by becoming a copywriter that works from home, without a boss, but you still feel stuck. The amount of information online is overwhelming and you just don’t know where to start.

The problem could be that you haven’t started this journey with one of the most fundamental steps: choosing a freelance writing niche.

Having worked as a copywriter and content marketer for several years, I've seen the mistakes that writers make when they pitch me. The most common mistake is not having a clear niche.  When starting on the freelance journey, choosing a niche should be your first step. However, this step is often overlooked. 

How choosing a niche leads to freelance success
 

Cold pitching is the fastest, most effective way to start a freelance copywriting business. For those of us without experience or connections, the best approach is to create our portfolios and start cold pitching to get freelance writing jobs.

However, to be successful at cold pitching, you need to know who you're reaching out to and what you need to say in your pitch to get them to read it.

Why do writers often miss this fundamental step?

So why does choosing a niche so often go overlooked?

Most new writers are afraid to "box themselves in." They're afraid they're limiting their opportunities or they're afraid of getting bored writing the same thing over again.

I can tell you from experience that choosing a niche can help you gain clients. Here's why...

The possibilities available to you when you choose a niche

Despite the myths thrown around in copywriting communities online, choosing a niche does not limit your opportunities. 

With a niche, you actually increase your chances of getting more high-paying writing opportunities. It sounds counterintuitive, but only writing about one subject makes it very clear to clients that you can do the job, which increases your chances of landing the job.

Your niche choice doesn’t have to be set in stone. I wasn't certain that I would stick to my niche, which is why I used my first and last name as my web domain URL. Adding another niche later on is always an option, but in the beginning, you want to focus on one niche. Don't be a jack of all trades and a master of none. 

How choosing a niche helps you finally take the leap to full-time freelance
 

In addition to being more desirable to clients, choosing a niche gives you a focus. It’s critical for freelancers to be clear about their ideal client before cold-pitching.

Finding a niche gives you direction and a clear path, because you'll finally know:

  • Who to reach out to with your cold pitch
  • What to say in your cold pitch that will capture clients’ attention and get them to respond
  • How to create a website and LinkedIn profile that speaks directly to your ideal client

A process for finally choosing your niche: 

Today I’m sharing a module right out of my online course 30 Days to Paid. This video tutorial covers:

1. The two biggest benefits of choosing a niche and why it’s so powerful. 

2. The difference between B2C (business to consumer) and B2B (business to business) and how to choose one. 

3. How to choose your niche based on your background and what you already know (versus choosing your “passion”)

4. How to research companies to ensure that you’re choosing a valid, high-paying niche

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