What Type Of Online Writer Are You Looking For?
New writers looking for a career do not always realize just how many paths there are to choose within the writing field. It is easy to see the writer's role in the production of a book or a newspaper. However, writers are present in practically all types of scripted activities for public viewing be it the evening news, the morning cartoons or political speeches. Of course, most writers find it necessary to do more than one type of writing! The art of shaping words is employed in an incredible number of job types.
Types Of Writers
1. Web Content Writer
Writing for the web has its own set of requirements and unique opportunities. Web content ranges from various types of categories:
- website microcopy (somebody has to write those alerts that ask you to log in before you can continue)
- social media content (it’s harder to express an idea in 140 characters than it sounds)
- blogs (throw a dart at a wall covered with random topics, and you can bet someone’s got a blog about whatever you hit) to full-length articles and white papers (referred to as "long copy”).
Within those broad categories, web copy can further be narrowed down by specialty. You might focus exclusively on projects related to finance, technology, entertainment, or medicine, or you might be a generalist who uses mad research skills to write copy on everything under the sun.
Regardless of the assignment, a good freelance web content writer meets deadlines, uses web copy best practices, skillfully weaves keywords into engaging prose, and writes to specific word counts. A great web content writer does all that while producing compelling, relevant, and informative content that drives site traffic.
2. Technical writer
A technical writer puts complex, technical descriptions, explanations, and procedures into non-technical language for consumption by the average reader. Technical writers often write user manuals for computer hardware and software, as well as consumer electronics. In addition, they put together procedures manuals for high-tech industries, such as engineering, robotics, and aeronautics.
3. Business writer
Business writers tackle white papers, reports, articles, press releases, pamphlets, business proposals, prepared speeches and more. They might even write a little advertising. The advent of the Internet changed the means by which communication is transmitted, but businesses still require well-written copy to stay competitive in today’s market.
4. Newspaper or periodical writer
Newspapers and periodicals (in print or online) have traditionally paid full- or part-time staff writers. However, the Internet has made it easier for freelance journalists to sell their work to such publications in a timely manner, which has significantly changed the news writing landscape.
Newspapers and periodicals are generally divided into sections featuring different types of articles. News writers inform readers of the facts surrounding an event as soon after the event as possible. When writing a news article, the writer must be as objective and unbiased as possible.
Editorial writers, on the other hand, get paid for their opinions. Editorials interpret or analyze political, economic, and other current events for readers. Feature articles typically focus on human interest stories. Additionally, many publications also pay writers for movie, book, and music reviews.
5. Instructional (or curriculum) writer
Instructional writers compose educational content. This may include online lessons and tutorials, standardized test questions, K-12 curriculum or tutoring materials, textbooks, or full online courses, such as real estate or insurance licensing exam programs. While some companies hire instructional designers to handle both course development and writing, others rely upon experts in the relative fields of study to compose the copy, which is then transferred into the course platform once it is written.
6. Ghostwriter
Ghostwriters write blogs, articles, books or other works and someone else gets the official credit. Many celebrities and politicians hire ghostwriters to compose their autobiographies, and some book series are credited to a single author when, in fact, multiple authors participated in the project.
If you are just starting out as a freelance writer, you may be trying out a number of different styles and assignment types. As you practice, you will undoubtedly become flexible enough to take on assignments in a number of categories. You will be happiest and at your best, however, if you can narrow down your individual groove and rock it.