Types of Writing Jobs: 13 Careers for Writers

Many different qualities can make a person a successful writer. Here are a few notable characteristics of great writers:

1. 1. Adaptability: In an increasingly digital world, writers who can adapt to technological changes are more likely to succeed in their careers. Staying on top of trends in search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, content marketing, and social media platforms will give you a competitive edge and a better understanding of how to use your writing.
2. 2. Curiosity: Many successful writers have an innate desire to learn new things. A penchant for learning can help lend a short story intricate detail, a news story accuracy, and ad copy poignancy.
3. 3. Empathy: Regardless of your job, writers must consider the reader’s experience. In creative writing, empathy enables the author to consider how a piece of fiction might make their audience feel. A great business writer who uses empathy to understand customers’ points of view is more likely to get conversions.
   
4. 4. Perseverance: Whether you’re a freelance writer, novelist, or in-house copywriter, professional writers must possess a significant degree of stick-to-itiveness. Writing itself can be demanding, but when it comes to freelance writing jobs, one must also manage sourcing freelance work from potential clients to maintain an income. Regardless of the type of writing job, there are bound to be highs and lows—successful writers learn to stick it out when the going gets tough.
5. 5. Point of view: Successful writers offer more than just knowledge of the subject matter. They also provide a unique perspective. To ensure your writing has a point of view, look for writing niches that are of personal interest to you when scanning job boards. For example, a former engineer waiting to transition to a writing career might consider looking for copywriting jobs at tech startups.

Whether freelance, part-time, or full-time, most writing jobs require the following skills:

1. 1. Communication skills: In addition to strong writing skills, writing jobs screen for strong verbal communication skills. Writers might need to conduct interviews, collaborate with team members, and contribute to brainstorming sessions.
2. 2. Research skills: Professional writers often receive assignments outside of their wheelhouse. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to effectively, and quickly, research a topic.
3. 3. Strong writing skills: Although having a bachelor’s degree won’t hurt your chances of getting a professional writing job (some might even require it), writing skills can often speak for themselves. Professional writers must have a solid working knowledge of grammar and syntax, including how to proofread and self-edit their work.
4. 4. Time management skills: Deadlines are an essential feature of every writing job. Successful writers have a firm grasp of time management, know how to prioritize tasks, and can work efficiently in fast-paced environments.

From creative writing to content creation to journalism, there are many careers for skilled writers. Here are some popular writing jobs to consider:

1. 1. Blogger: Bloggers self-publish content online. Beginner writers can benefit from starting a blog to present their work when applying to formal writing jobs. Though not exclusive to nonfiction writing, blogs often provide curious readers with fact-based knowledge on various topics, including food, travel, entertainment, and technology. Whether you’re a creative writer looking for an easy way to publish stories online or an entrepreneur looking to capture potential clients, learning how to craft a blog post to reach your target audience successfully is a valuable skill.
2. 2. Business writer: Most business writers work for newspapers or magazines, also known as white papers, that publish content for specific industries. Business writing can be a good option if you’ve got a knack for networking and in-depth knowledge of industry-related terminology and concepts.
3. 3. Copy editor: Copy editors posess an especially strong grasp of grammar and syntax. They work closely with writers and other editors to make sure that writing adheres to brand style and voice. Copy editing may also include drafting or updating style guides.
4. 4. Copywriter: Copywriting involves writing copy for marketing and advertising purposes. Copywriters can be in-house employees at a company or advertising firm or freelance writers contracted to create copy for greeting cards, product descriptions, landing pages, and more.
5. 5. Ghostwriter: Ghostwriters specialize in writing for other people, which requires the unique ability to write convincingly in another person’s tone of voice. Ghostwriters work with their clients—such as high-ranking government officials and media personalities—to craft a narrative and tell their story in the first person point of view.
6. 6. Grant writer: A grant writer’s job is to help nonprofits and small businesses receive the funding they need to operate. Grant writing is a great way to use your writing skills to give back to communities in need. Learn how to write a grant proposal.
7. 7. Journalist: Journalists, also known as news writers, write everything from op-eds to news stories. There are many kinds of journalistic writing; for example, a reporter uses an expository style to report facts on a news story. On the other hand, a features writer or editorial writer may use a more persuasive tone and share their point of view to influence an audience on a particular issue or topic. Learn how to become a journalist.
8. 8. Media relations specialist: Public relations managers who specialize in media coverage send press releases to newsrooms to get coverage in newspapers, magazines, and television programming. Well-crafted news releases can lead to free marketing for a new product or increased awareness for a small business.
9. 9. Nurse writer: A nurse writer is a medical writer who uses their experience as a nursing professional to write health-care-related articles. Nurse writers are usually freelance writers. They may do medical writing for different outlets, including medical journals, professional blogs, health-care magazines, academic papers, and grant committees. They may also serve as consultants for TV shows or movies about nursing.
10. 10. Screenwriter: Screenwriters, also known as scriptwriters, write original scripts for TV shows and movies. Get eight tips for aspiring screenwriters from Aaron Sorkin.
11. 11. SEO writer: SEO, which stands for search engine optimization, involves attracting targeted traffic to a website through organic (nonpaid) rankings on a search engine results page (SERP). Unlike paid results such as pay-per-click advertisements, organic search results listings depend on query searches and key terms.
    
12. 12. Technical writer: Technical writers are often in-house employees for businesses and corporations. Technical writing involves producing copy for instructional manuals and system documentation. This work often requires the writer to have hyper-specific knowledge of a given field or industry.
13. 13. Web content writer: Web content writing entails writing different types of content for the internet and social media. Some web content writing jobs fall under content marketing, SEO, or UX writing.

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Roxane Gay, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.