Writers are needed in every field. Here are a few job titles to consider if you want to be a professional writer.
When people hear the word writer, many imagine an author of bestselling novels. What many don't know is that there are many different types of writers. Some will never publish or even write a book, but they are just as important.
I have compiled a list of some of the different types of writers and what each of them does. If you are a writer (which, honestly, anyone who writes can hold this title) and are looking for ways to make money from it, then here are some options for you!
1. Copywriter
If you have ever gotten a catchy jingle or slogan stuck in your head, chances are a copywriter came up with it. The name can be a bit deceiving for some. Rest assured this position does not involve copying. In fact, the copy part is actually referring to sales copy.
This type of writer works in marketing & advertising, writing the text for ad campaigns and other forms of public material. If you search for writing jobs online you will often find positions for copywriters since almost every company out there has a marketing team.
2. Content Writer
This type of writer is probably the most well-known since it covers many different platforms. Content writers can be bloggers, social media/website writers, and you could loosely include journalists although they normally require more skills and training.
This is a position that does not require a degree, but keep in mind that some companies might want you to have one. Since a blogger writes content for their blog, they are considered a content writer. Most companies hire people to make content for their Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms. These people can either be called content creators or content writers depending on how much writing they do.
This is a great position if you are a passionate writer and enjoy writing articles or social media posts.
3. Technical Writer
The simplest way to explain a technical writer is to say that they are the people who write instructions. It may not sound like the most enjoyable or rewarding writing job, but it is definitely one of the most essential. This position most often will require a degree, but that is only because the type of work being done is so important.
Technical writers can work in any field. They can be responsible for writing manuals for home appliances to working with software developers and medical professionals. The options are limitless since everything needs some kind of explanation.
If you are considering this type of writing position it would be a good idea to find subjects other than writing to specialize in. Depending on the company, having a basic knowledge of the subject you are going to write about may not be enough. Extra study may be required, but it will be worth it.
4. Transcriptionist/Captioner
If you are a decent typer and understand punctuation & grammar then these might be positions for you. I put these two together because they are so similar in nature.
Transcriptionists are writers who type up recorded audio. There are different companies that offer these positions and the topics they cover vary. This type of position usually requires training or someone with the skills for it. There are free resources out there if this is something that sounds interesting.
Captioners are basically the people who write captions. There are specific rules and style guides that the captioner will have to learn, but there are also resources available to help.
5. Screenwriter/Playwright/Scriptwriter
These positions are ones that would be best for writers who enjoy a different style of storytelling. If you enjoy writing plays or dialogue these may be great ways to make money. These types of positions are not as common to find and may require specific searching.
These are only a few of the many types of writing jobs out there. Writing can be a fun hobby or a means to make money. Not all writing positions pay the same, so keep that in mind when pursuing a career as a professional writer.
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