10 Types of Writing Jobs You Can Pursue
Do you want to be a content writer or perhaps explore the world as a travel writer? Learn more about the various writing careers that are available here!
Updated 03 May 2019
Have you ever dreamed of pursuing a career in writing? The person writing this article certainly has! Although you may have some doubts about this career, it certainly isn’t a dead-end job as many envision it to be.
Whether you want to be a novelist like Stephen King or a journalist for The Guardian, the best way to discover your ideal writing career is to first know what options are out there.
Check them out below!
#1. Reporter / journalist
As a reporter or journalist, your role is to cover newsworthy events or compelling stories and produce write-ups about them.
Your job scope will involve searching for credible sources, interviewing people, following up on leads and writing unbiased news articles and stories.
Being a journalist can be rather demanding, as you may need to work long hours and be flexible in your schedule to accommodate for breaking news, even in the wee hours of the morning. However, if you enjoy a fast-paced life, love storytelling and have grit in your DNA, it may be the perfect job for you!
#2. Web content writer
As a web content writer, you will be required to churn out content such as website copy and articles for online platforms, e-news portals, corporate blogs and other online mediums.
But your responsibilities don’t stop there! In order to write for the web, you will also need to understand Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and keyword usage so that the content you write can be easily discovered on the world wide web.
Depending on the requirements of your employer, you may also need to craft social media posts (say hello to surfing Facebook and Instagram all day for interesting content!), create and send email newsletters and analyse content marketing insights.
#3. Copywriter
While content writers create copy with the intention to inform and educate readers (which hopefully leads to sales), a copywriter’s main objective is to coax audiences to take action. For example, copywriters craft short and catchy copy that will prompt readers to click the “Sign up” button on a website’s homepage.
As a copywriter, you will need to think outside of the box in order to come up with advertising campaign ideas, slogans for brands, creative messages for pitch decks and jingles or scripts for adverts.
Compared to web content writers who only write for the web, you may be given the opportunity to produce content for various mediums — print, web, radio and television.
#4. Corporate communications executive
A corporate communications executive is involved in managing all internal and external communications of a company so that a consistent message is sent out to everyone.
Internally, you may write emails and memos for the company’s employees to share information about the company’s activities.
Externally, you may produce content materials for the public, such as the company’s annual reports, speeches and press releases. Other responsibilities include overseeing marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers and digital banners, to ensure that they stay true to the company’s brand guidelines.
#5. Technical writer
Have you ever had a glimpse of some of the complex medical equipment in a hospital? With the number of buttons and intricacies, how will a user know how to use it? Well, that’s when a technical writer comes in!
Technical writers transform complex, technical information into content that is easy to understand. This includes describing commercial and industrial products in simple terms, as well as writing easy-to-read instruction manuals.
As part of your job as a technical writer, you may need to work alongside engineers, researchers or software developers so that you can fully understand the products, services and applications and document the proper guidelines and procedures.
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Start now#6. Translator
A translation writer converts written material from one language to another. Often required for books and literature, translators can also find work translating other types of content, such as commercial, educational, legal and scientific documents.
As a translator, you must have an excellent command of at least two languages. You will also need to ensure that the meaning of the message is translated as accurately as possible, while preserving the ideas and facts of the original content.
#7. Travel writer
The main perk of being a travel writer is the opportunity to travel for free so that you can write about your experience in travel magazines or other online travel platforms.
Sounds like a dream come true, doesn’t it? However, making it in the industry is harder than it looks as there are not as many job vacancies for travel writers.
#8. Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter does exactly what a regular writer does, except they do not receive recognition in the articles, books or any materials they have written.
If you are a ghostwriter, you would usually be hired by people (e.g. celebrities, business executives, politicians) who have a story that they want to tell but may lack the flair for writing or have busy schedules.
While ghostwriting may not be as rewarding due to the lack of recognition, it can be lucrative once you’ve established yourself and can be a good way to supplement your income.
#9. Scriptwriter
Scriptwriters write dialogues between actors and actresses for various types of media, such as movies, TV shows, stage plays, video games and even radio shows.
As a scriptwriter, you will need to generate exciting plots and ideas, conduct research for your story, set stage directions and develop characters when writing your script. You may also need to revise your script from time to time, based on the producer’s feedback.
#10. Book author
This is the ultimate dream for many writers! It involves publishing either fictional or non-fictional work in one of the forms below:
- Fictional books (e.g. novels)
- Biography
- Children’s story books
- Poetry book
- Non-fictional books
As an author, you would usually work alongside an editor who will ensure that there are no errors before your work is sent for publishing. After that, there are two ways for you to get your book published — by emailing your drafts to publishers or publishing on your own (self-publishing).
Becoming a successful author is not an easy task to achieve and it may take years before it happens — but don’t give up! You can always work on this while you take on another writing job.
We hope this has inspired you to pursue a career in writing! Remember that it is essential to read and write extensively so that you can generate new ideas and enhance your writing skills. Pursuing a related degree will also help. Good luck!
Are you interested in pursuing writing with a Mass Communication course? Find out more here!
Josephine Serena
Media studies and journalism graduate. Buy me coffee and I'll spill the beans. Also really tall.
