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I don't understand to "i can do all niches" people

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Maxiorel, Jun 19, 2008.

  1. #1
    Hi,
    what do you think about people offering writing services for a low price and in all niches?

    I think no one could write quality article about anything. It is simply impossible. One could be software specialist, other could write very good articles about children or cars.

    So why people offer "i can do all niches" writing services?
     
    Maxiorel, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  2. wyattt

    wyattt Active Member

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    #2
    Some people are just excellent researchers. Journalists, for example, can pretty much write about anything with research. They aren't an expert on every subject, but they can get the job done, and often with a really high quality of work as well.
     
    wyattt, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  3. Maxiorel

    Maxiorel Active Member

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    #3
    I think that the readers find very soon if the article is written by someone who can they trust or by someone who only "research".
     
    Maxiorel, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  4. SFolega

    SFolega Peon

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    #4

    I think it depends on how good a writer can research. I have written about things that were totally new to me and that I didn't understand until I researched the area.

    I wouldn't say I was an 'expert' in all niches, but I can write articles on a large variety of subjects.
     
    SFolega, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  5. impact-productions

    impact-productions Well-Known Member

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    #5
    A good copywriter is a 'jack of all trades'. They can adapt to most areas, unless highly specialised (e.g. I wouldn't expect them to write an article on mathematical topology for instance). The point is that they can research an area and synthesise the information to meet their client's needs. They don't have to learn about the area; they might never have to write about it again.

    Any copywriter who does have highly specialised knowledge would be better creating their own site on it, rather than writing for other people.
     
    impact-productions, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  6. Online Writer

    Online Writer Peon

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    #6
    Luckily I have a near photographic memory. I can write on any niche. If you want articles on surfboard wax, fire ants, plumbing, video games, diet products, wrinkle creams, pets, broccoli, sand crabs, blackjack, whatever, you name it.

    I typically decline topics that are mind numbingly boring or topics I have written about 1000 times. Real Estate ....Aughhhh. I'd rather write articles about nymphomaniac lesbian Mongolians.
     
    Online Writer, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  7. Trusted Writer

    Trusted Writer Banned

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    #7
    I would consider this for hiring you :D

    I have an adult-related site focusing on dating but because this is not my niche and just a monetizing site, I find somewhat difficult write on this topic, not impossible but involving a different writing aproacch and additional researching :rolleyes:
     
    Trusted Writer, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  8. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #8
    All good writing requires research by the way. So, let's not use "research" as a dirty word.

    Writing has many levels. Sure, most writers can write low-level stuff on food, real estate, medical issues, etc. However, those same writers can't do it on a pro level (magazines, etc.). It's one thing to write simple blog posts, SEO articles, etc. It's another to write on a true media level. It takes a lot more out of you, that's for sure.

    While some of us can indeed write in any field (technically), the level of that writing is ultimately limited. At some point, the amount of research/learning needed to complete the task far outweighs the payoff.

    For instance, I could write you an article about the affect of hydrogen-based vehicles on the global economy (or whatever). However, if that article only pays $500, I'm out. ;)

    Anyway, the thing to remember is a specialized writer (niche) is worth more and has more credibility. :)

    That's how it works on the pro circuit anyway. And that's why most pros do the bulk of their work in 1-2 areas.

    The more detailed an article must be, the fewer writers capable for the gig.
     
    marketjunction, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  9. EspressoChick

    EspressoChick Well-Known Member

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    #9
    I have to admit that I can't write about "every" topic. There are some topics I just can't write about. Like I won't take on heavy-duty medical topics or topics in the "adult" (wink, wink) industry. I don't know that much about real estate -- but if someone twisted my arm a bit -- I guess I could research it. :)

    About a month ago I landed a gig writing about Ireland for an Irish gift shop in the USA. The client was nice, the job looked like fun. But it turned out I just wasn't right for it. I didn't have enough background. I didn't know the symbolism. I didn't know common Irish words. Things like that. I suggested the client try to hire a writer from a local Irish newspaper and teach them about writing web content. Then they'd have the knowledge they needed. I knew I wasn't right for the gig within half an hour of doing the research.

    I agree that a good writer needs to have strong research skills. But a good writer should also know their limitations. It is just my "two cents" -- but saying you can write about "everything" is like saying you can cook "everything." There are topics out there that are hard to research on the Internet -- or ones that require deep knowledge. Knowing you are headed for deeper water than you can handle is just the sign of a smart swimmer, not a bad one. :)
     
    EspressoChick, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  10. Maxiorel

    Maxiorel Active Member

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    #10
    Hi EspressoChick. I absolutely agree with you. The background and knowing own limitation is at least the same important as good writing skills. It is very annoying, that more and more people doesn't know their limits.
     
    Maxiorel, Jun 19, 2008 IP
  11. yew123

    yew123 Peon

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    #11
    It's not necessarily so that they are jack of all trades - many of them have a team which they share work with - but they market as a one-stop service... so that they pass work around and increase the job flow for all...
     
    yew123, Jun 20, 2008 IP
  12. Tori

    Tori Peon

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    #12
    I know this happens often but many times they advertise themselves as one person which I think is wrong of them to do. If you are a group then you need to state that in your ad or response to an ad. It is only fair to enter into an agreement being honest, but of course that is just my .02 ;)

    As for writing about any topic I think there are several writers out there who can write well about almost anything but there are many who can write an excellent article on subjects they have a vast knowledge on. So it is really a case by case issue.
     
    Tori, Jun 20, 2008 IP
  13. EspressoChick

    EspressoChick Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Hi Maxiorel,

    It is just my "two cents" but I think sometimes it is not necessarily a case of not knowing one's limits, but being open to trying something. When you are a brand-spanking-new writer, how on earth are you going to know what your niches are? You obviously are going to need to try some things......

    I know I can't write on "everything" -- but I have also written about topics I've had no knowledge of before I was handed the project. I don't seek out those type of projects but it seems to me that a writer needs to be open to flexing their muscles. Some writers may be better at research than others.

    I think sometimes too - when you take the chance you can realize that you are very good at a particular niche. And another niche can mean more money for you. But obviously you won't know that unless you are willing to be a little uncomfortable and try some new projects where you don't have experience with them.

    This may be a different conversation -- but I think it is kind of "funny" how people wind up developing a niche sometimes. Sometimes you write about something because someone gives you a lucky break, you do a good job and all of a sudden you've got a new niche? All from taking a chance..... lol :) Has anyone had that experience?
     
    EspressoChick, Jun 20, 2008 IP
  14. Tori

    Tori Peon

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    #14
    When I first started out writing I was scared to take anything I was not knowledgeable about. Then one day a client asked me to do an urgent project on a travel destination. The money he offered was good and he was not worried about the fact I had never done any kind of travel articles. So off I went and I have to say for being my first time around those articles were pretty good. Now I love to write travel articles. Moral of the story is, you never know what you're good at until you try it. :p
     
    Tori, Jun 20, 2008 IP
  15. EspressoChick

    EspressoChick Well-Known Member

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    #15
    I agree with you Tori, I think you have to be open to trying things. But there is a big difference between that and saying "I can write everything." Like I already know I couldn't write about heavy-duty medical topics. I'm squeamish and medical topics require deep knowledge that I don't have.

    But I totally agree Tori, I think being open to writing about new topics can lead to great opportunities. :)
     
    EspressoChick, Jun 21, 2008 IP
  16. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #16
    I look at it this way... if they haven't done this kind of background research, and spent time developing credentials first, then they're not prepared to be managing a serious freelance career to begin with. You don't figure out what you want to do after you've made the leap - if you're responsible, you put the planning in long before that. The problem is that many (if not most) freelancers aren't responsible about managing the early phases of their careers. Then again, that probably contributes to the fact that most fail in the first few years.
     
    jhmattern, Jun 21, 2008 IP
  17. danhoof

    danhoof Peon

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    #17
    When I was working as a journalist there was no choice but to be a general writer - a real journalist can research any topic, cut out all the jargon and make it understandable to the average reader.

    The real skill of a journalist is to make even the most boring topics sound interesting, I'm sure you can think of a view things that are horrid to write about - for me, it's medicine. I worked freelance for a medical magazine all through university however, and it helped me leave debt free - some people wouldn't have written so heavily about a subject that bored them. I found the trick was to make the whole experience a challenge to see if I could convert the boring rubbish thrown infront of me in the form of a jargon filled press release in to something that would make people sit up and take notice.

    Regards,
    Dan at Hoof PR.
     
    danhoof, Jun 21, 2008 IP
  18. EspressoChick

    EspressoChick Well-Known Member

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    #18

    I agree that writers should get their credentials. No argument there. :) But if you are writing articles about bridal showers....or budget traveling....exactly how much of a "credential" does one need?

    I won't write about deep knowledge topics I know I can't handle, like medical stuff because I know I can't write about them. But research an article about vacations to the Carribean even though I haven't been there? Sure, why not? I think there is a big difference between that and writing an article about juvenile diabetes research. Just my "two cents" :)
     
    EspressoChick, Jun 21, 2008 IP
  19. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #19
    Dan, journalism is a specialty though. Types of writing are just as much specialties as specific niches (which are simply specialties of content writers in the primary context of this forum - of course you can be even more specialized as a journalist as well).

    You'd be surprised about what you can have credentials in. They don't have to be formal in all cases. For example, if you're writing about poker, being someone who's been highly successful at poker in the past is enough - you'll know how to write about it well from that perspective in a way no one could just through research. For budget traveling, if you've never traveled on a budget, you have no credentials / experience. You can get that by doing it. Someone with extensive experience in traveling on a budget will have unique experiences to share because they lived it - they didn't just read about it. For bridal showers, a professional event planner would have obvious credentials that would give them insights a general writer wouldn't have (and they can write in a niche of event planning - niches don't have to be as specific as something like bridal showers, but it's certainly encompassed within that).

    To each his own. My philosophy is to be the best at what you do, and a general writer can never do that in any area in which they write. Why? Because they completely rely on what others have done before them. There's nothing unique about what they can deliver, and that's precisely why they're generally not paid as much. For instance, you may make $25 for that travel article (just using a random example), but a travel agent specializing in Caribbean vacation planning who also happens to be a decent writer (not even a great writer), may make 5 times that much for something otherwise comparable. No reason not to do the absolute best you can in any line of work - freelance writing included. ;)
     
    jhmattern, Jun 21, 2008 IP
    danhoof likes this.
  20. danhoof

    danhoof Peon

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    #20
    Sometimes in my career it has been the reputation I have as a journalist who can extensively research an extremely specific area well and write about it fluently which has got me work, both in-house and freelance. Why? As you say, journalism is a specialty, and the specialty I pride myself in is being able to write about anything I can research adding a fresh, unique angle to it - otherwise as you rightly say it is simply repeating what others have written in the past. The key is that new angle. In my professional experience in the UK, a journalist who can write to a very high standard about a variety of topics will be taken over a specialist in one area nine times out of 10, and in the 10th occasion, it's likely they will both be taken!
     
    danhoof, Jun 21, 2008 IP