25

May

Writing Gigs: Recognising Opportunities

There are a lot of opportunities for freelance writers, yet the competition is fierce. There are too many other  freelancers bidding for the same jobs .Many writers are happy to work for free to gain exposure to their work. Others will take any opportunity given even if the financial benefits are poor. There is always the hope that one day they will be noticed and that the work they do will ultimately open a gateway to riches. It may of course happen, but in the meantime the writer will have to contend with all the other freelancers waiting for their big breakthrough, and all eager to stand out from the crowd.

Perhaps then it is time to think outside of the box! There are hidden opportunities out there for the budding writer, and while they may not give you wide exposure, it is possible that some financial incentive could be worthwhile.

Consider the following as suggestions:

Weddings

 Do you know somebody who is getting married? Can you exploit them for financial gain? Of course not, that would be rude and it may cancel out your invite. However perhaps you could offer to help them write their vows. You could help the best man write his speech. Perhaps you could document the wedding and present a book to the couple as a wedding gift instead of the deep fat fryer they always wanted. With or without this experience of wedding writing you could perhaps offer your services online, maybe on one of the wedding websites. If you have been fortunate to present your writing as a gift or assistance to a happy couple it may be too that word of mouth will get you more opportunities. Make their happy day your happy day!

Funerals

 Funerals are not a happy occasion and it would be wrong to try and make money out of them, surely. Yet the writer in you could have a valuable part to play and there are opportunities online on obituary websites. People often struggle to know what to say at a time when emotion and grief are high, but you may be able to help the bereaved express what it is they want to say. As well as contacting appropriate websites online you could also contact local funeral homes who may benefit from the service you can provide.

Local News

 Do you have specialist knowledge of the area you live in? Could you share something online or off to newcomers to the town? Consider contacting your local newspaper. Perhaps you could generate yourself a regular column on the website or in the newspaper itself. Have you ever picked up a leaflet about a local attraction and thought I could do a better job at advertising than this? Then contact them and offer your services. Are there local businesses which could benefit from your creative thinking to boost their income and yours? Get in touch.

There are many opportunities out there to write. The written word surrounds our daily life, and as well as the suggestions above consider making approaches elsewhere. Examples could be restaurant menus, school brochures and employment handbooks. Consider too bus and train timetable leaflets, just don’t be creative with travel times. They are quite capable of doing those themselves.

Be prepared to look for those niche areas then. Hidden around every corner of your life could be a potential goldmine. So keep your eyes open and good luck to you.