I talk to a lot of writers in my line of work. Through all of my conversations though, one thing I’ve noticed is that many writers do not see the advantage of establishing a niche. The usual argument is that they don’t want to limit the number of opportunities available to them.
While I can understand the desire to want to get as much work as possible, I think finding a niche is a huge opportunity rather than a limitation. I’m not saying that writers shouldn’t be adaptable. But if you can be especially strong with one or two types of writing or an expert on a few select topics, your value to clients can significantly increase.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but you’ll have more success if you narrow your focus to a few particular niches. Here are just a few benefits of focusing on a writing niche
1. You’ll Develop a Stronger Portfolio
While it’s natural to want to grab as much work as you can, being a jack-of-all-trades can have its downsides. Your portfolio may seem scattered to potential clients who are looking for something specific in their niche. Additionally, a portfolio that represents you as a generalist can keep you stuck in areas of writing that you’d prefer to leave behind.
If your portfolio still features your articles on home improvement while you’re trying to break into the field of science writing, you’re probably going to still attract more clients looking for content about roofing. A cohesive portfolio that represents work in your chosen niches will make you more appealing to the clients you want in addition to being able to produce higher quality work more easily.
2. You’ll Gain a Loyal Pool of Clients
Time is money and every hour you spend vying for new work or learning a new client’s style is time you could have spent writing. If you can build up a loyal client base that keeps coming back to you with assignments, you’ll find it easier to maintain a steady income and you’ll have better luck negotiating rate increases as time goes on.
3. You’ll Have More Opportunities to Create Unique Content
Becoming a leader within a niche can help you stand out. The more writing you do in your chosen niche, the more you establish a reputation as someone who can write with ease on those topics. This type of reputation helps you gain more quality clients.
If you’re a content writer who focuses on real estate financing topics, potential clients who are looking for a writer are much more likely to want to hire a specialist.
4. You’ll Enjoy Your Work More
If you’re lucky enough to become established in a niche you love, it won’t feel like a burden to do your research or stay on top of industry trends. That enthusiasm will show in your work and clients will appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for your area of interest.
5. You’ll Make More Money
Specialists earn more money than generalists. This is true in the worlds of medicine, law and consulting, and writing is no exception. Your in-depth, specialized knowledge and experience has real value and clients are going to be willing to pay for it.
It’s Up To You To Take Charge
Casting a wide net may seem like the safest way to pay the bills as a writer, but it’s likely not the best bet for long-term success. Establishing a niche can help you develop your professional reputation, attract more loyal clients and command better rates. If you haven’t already, think about some possible areas you might want to focus on, and start building your brand as an expert writer.
