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

I've hired a few writers in the past that just blew me away. I could tell them I want a 1000 word article on quantum physics and they would have it to me in like an hour. Any random thing I threw at them they could do it and in a reasonable time frame too. I guess google really is your friend.

 

I don't do all niches, if i can help it. But i can write on most things, even if i don't know much about them. It isn't mere research, it also helps to have creativity, logic and a basic understanding of the workings of people and things. Which many writers are gifted with.

The difference is in speed and quality. I could write an article on something i know and love very quick and in high quality. If i write an article on something i don't know or can't grasp, it would take very long and the article would probably be average.

But once you get to know something you didn't know initially, your quality and speed improves. For example, my knowledge of laptops has improved a lot because of writing articles on them and various other work revolving around them.

So eventually such a writer, if he has the right stuff will be able to handle even things he didn't know initially, in a much better fashion.

 

Within your specialty of journalism, that may very well be right - I'm not arguing with you there, which is why I mentioned it being a specialty earlier. However, the same is very far from true in content writing (which is what the bulk of the writers here do, and therefore the focus of my comments). When it comes to content writing, niche specialists very often earn far more for similar work than generalists. Expertise in an area comes at a premium in that line of work. It's often one of the factors separating the content writers earning hundreds per article from those earning $5-10 per article.

 

I can write about almost anything but I am a very good researcher and have a widely varied background. I also have a pretty decent network of people that are experts in various areas so I can pick their brains, as well. I do, however, know my limitations and there are subjects that I cannot bring myself to do. I just recently was asked to do several articles on web design and the client wanted very detailed articles. In my mind, what he wanted called for a level of expertise and hands on experience that I just do not possess. I let him know that and referred him to a friend that does have that experience.

 

I do have specialties but I did do a demo for a accounting policy series and I'm far from an accounting expert. The key was research and it was not easy. But if there is a subject I'm not into, I'll just flat-out say it's not my thing.

But the intrigue is often in learning all you can about something new. When I first started researching things, we had to go to the library. I remember making appointments with librarians so they would help me with preliminary work so I could dive right in.

 

I do agree with people to an extent when they say they can write about anything. Like everyone else I have the stuff I can reel off easier than other topics as I know about it personally.

If I am ever in doubt then I would have to do research, you just have to find the balance because if you are getting $20 for the article and have to do a good few hours research, then write it - it wouldn't be cost effective (for me anyway).

I always ask what they need before any money is exchanged so we both know where they stand on the deadline and cost.

 

It is important to consider the amount of research you have to do versus someone swimming in the subject. You have to figure whether that's fair to you and the buyer.

But I always think it's funny when a client calls and wants to know my expertise in something like bath mats and wants to see samples of bath mat work I've done in the past. I think I got that one covered. It's quantum physics I'm going to pass on because it would take a decade for me to get up to speed on it. (I think)

 

I believe some people get confused with the term "niche" when they are generic writers and despite researching is the clue to cover many fields, it's obvious that specialization provides you with better paid gigs writing something you are familiar with, and depending on your niche that can simply be a pleasure

 

It hasn't been said, but even if you charge the same for an article on a niche topic and one you've had to research, you stand to make more per hour on a topic you already know.

If I charge $75 per article, I can make $75 in about twenty minutes writing a parenting or home related topic - I know those topics front and back. Not just because I'm an active parent, but because I legitimately research the topic all the time on my own time to stay current. (btw - Men out there, it was just shown in clinical research that your fertility decreases after age 40. Hello, Male Biological Clock!)

That same $75 would have to be stretched over a few hours if I were to write on something like World of Warcraft. I'm just not confident enough in that area to write a sentence without fact checking and that takes a huge amount of time. Plus my husband won't stop playing long enough to tell me what I need to know.

In my niche, I can make easily well over $100 an hour. Outside of my niche, I make $40-$75 an hour. Plus I have more free time when I work in my areas of expertise - and that time is worth a lot to a busy Mommy like me. LOL

So, with only 12-15 hours of writing time a week, it's pretty clear why I turn down jobs outside of my niche. My time is worth more than what I'd wind up earning.

Bottom Line? You might be able to throw an article together on just about anything, but it's probably not worth your time.

Rebecca

 

Nobody would ever hire one of these people / companies to explain the math behind Bayesian inference in writing.

Because they really mean "I can do all niches I'm likely to encounter." If you add in a low price, that implies low expectations, which has to take pressure off the writer...

 

So very true. That's why i don't write on most subjects.

I sometimes love jobs in which expectations are low. Let's you work freely and more creatively and experiment.
Better yet is writing for your own website, as there is no pressure, no expectation, no blaming if something goes wrong .....

 

I learnt to write about pretty much anything in my 5-years long writing career, but I charge differently for the topics I'm handling. I will obviously charge more for topics that I need a lot of research on (say "plumbing tips and tricks"), as I will need more time to wrap them up nicely and less for subjects that I'm very comfortable with (sports, gaming, HVAC systems, seo, etc) as the words will flow with more ease on these ones.

I'm confident that any good writer that has excellent research skills can write up about anything and do it well. Even without first hand experience on the subject he's covering, a quality writer can make his readers believe he's an expert in the field

 

That actually sounds quite backwards. Any reasonably high-paying clients pay more for experience / credentials in the subject matter - not more because you know less and have to research more. Maybe that works in places like the public DP market, but I'd say it means you're undervaluing your real asset, which is your expertise in specialized areas.

 

Since I cut the research costs (time wise) I can write faster, thus have a better income/hour ratio. That's why I charge less. Customer gets better content, I have fun writing and everyone's happy

Although I do understand your point, I just never thought of it in those terms before.

 

The benefit of specialization though (and charging more for it - in this case let's just say charging as much as you're charging for other work, so it's not in a completely new client range) is that

A) You get to write more about what you love (because you're focused on offering that service)

B) You get paid more to write about what you love (loving the topic is motivational, but more money for it doesn't hurt)

C) The more known you become in writing within your specialty niche, the more referrals you'll get and the less aggressive marketing you'll need to spend time on,

and

D) The client is happier, because they're getting expert content which is naturally more "original" in most cases than anything researched by someone unfamiliar with the topic.

 

I hate to admit it but you're right jhmattern (yet again ). But it's still difficult for me to find clients who need writing on my favorite subjects, so I'll just give the ones that I find a discount, if I get ongoing work.

 

You're just spamming this stuff on every thread you land on. Begone trollface!

 

I don't agree with topicstarter! Skilful copywriter should be able to write on any themes.

 

Anyone who ever read novels like "Hotel", "Airport" or "Wheels", by Arthur Hailey, have probably noticed an expert level of descriptions and a lot of industry specific facts in these books. Even though, the author didn't spend a day working as a car company top manager, airline pilot or an assembly line worker in Detroit (simply not possible.) This is what I call "I can pretty much write about anything" =)

 

IMO, a content writer coming from a background where extensive peer review of their writing is exercised, usually means they are a better and more disciplined writer. Such a background also suggests the writers have studied, learned and honed their craft.

Writers who dash off a few hundred words then have family and friends 'ooh' and 'ahhh' about how well they write are doing a disservice to themselves as well as their client.