By Lisa Mason
Do you specialize your writing? Do you have a niche that you stick with more than others and that most of your writing centers around? If so, then it’s time you learn to market this for its full potential. You could be missing out on more earnings and higher rates because you don’t know how to benefit from writing specialization.

Some freelancers are so eager to get a paying gig that they’re willing to write literally anything. However, once you’ve been doing it awhile, specialization can help you earn better rates. It’s also a great way to break into a niche you don’t have previous experience in. Here’s why it’s important and how you can do it.

Why You Should Specialize

When I first started freelance writing, I would write about anything from advertising, Web copy, brochures and magazines, newsletters on varying topics, journalism for local newspapers and magazine or Internet articles on every topic you can imagine. I was never at a loss for work but this method wasn’t very efficient either. I felt like I was always working or searching for work and not getting a good return on my investment.

I had less and less time to spend with my family which were the main reason I choose a work at home career in the first place. It was stressful and I was determined to find a better way. This is when I narrowed my niches to the things I knew the most about and the things that I was most passionate about–parenting, video games and fitness/healthy living.

This allowed me to narrow my focus, get more work in the fields that I already loved and earn more money on my writing. I also spent less time scavenging for jobs and I was making double the money with half the time invested working.

Keep in mind that to specialize does not mean you can’t ever write on anything else or that you can’t take other projects that interest you when they come along. It just means you can set yourself apart from the many other freelancers trying to do the same thing and that you can narrow your focus to allow you to earn more while spending less time at your computer.

Choosing a specialty also means it will be easier for you to break into the market. Sometimes when you don’t have clips and experience to show, it will be hard to get a job writing for a magazine or website. But when you can show that you have personal experience, it can make all the difference. So how do you know what your specialty should be?

How to Choose Your Specialty

Choosing your specialty doesn’t have to be difficult. You just need to think about the things that are unique to you or that you are especially good at or have knowledge in. Here are some tips and ideas to help you choose your specialty:

→ Make a list of your interests.

→ Make a list of your life experiences.

→ What work and career experience do you have?

→ What school and education experience do you have?

→ Do you volunteer in the community, play an instrument or have an interesting hobby?

→ Consider lifestyle–are you a vegetarian, physically handicapped, etc?

Then you can take a look at your lists and you should start coming up with all types of story ideas. This is what you will use to start breaking into the industry.

One great example of how to specialize is from freelancer and homeschooler, Lyn Lomasi. Lyn Lomasi is a happily married “momtrepreneur” who supports education choice, including home school. She lives for helping others and promoting positivity. She made a mark for herself online as a writer with specialties in parenting, home-schooling and education.

Another great example is Rick Steves who built an entire empire for himself and his family through travel writing. He took something he enjoyed and was passionate about and found a way build his own business around it. What began as a self-published travel guide has now exploded. He even has a TV show, Rick Steves’ Europe.

How to Market Your Specialty to Increase Earnings

Now that you have your specialty, you need to learn how to market it.

Website and/or blog: This is a must today for building an online presence for yourself. This is your opportunity to include a bio, resume, clips and any other pertinent info to help potential clients find you online. This is also where you will point people when you apply for a specific job or position.

Social media: Using social networking to your advantage is a great way to market your specialty and increase earnings. Twitter and Facebook are popular choices and there are many tools available to help you manage these accounts without eating away your precious time.

Word of mouth: Put the word out online and in person about what you do. Have some business cards made up and pass them out when you meet people. Include your specialty in your email signature. Each and every time you meet someone is an opportunity to promote your services.

The most important thing to remember about marketing your specialty is not to spam. You don’t want to run into Cyberspace shouting, “Hire me! Hire me!” Instead, you want to create something of value to share with the reader which also links back to your website and/or blog.

For example, if your specialty is in the legal field, you might use Twitter to send out tips and hints regarding law or daily legal facts. This draws the reader in and your followers will already have a general interest in what you have to offer. With all of these tips combined, you can specialize your writing and start making more for working less. This is the type of investment that builds over time and will pay off again and again for the longer that you do it.

About the Author Lisa Mason is the author of How to Earn a Living Writing for the Internet and 100 Days to Better Article Writing. She gives free writing tips daily from her blog and writes full time. She’s also an Associated Content Community Guide and featured Video Games, Parenting and Green contributor.