10 Best Writing Careers You Should Consider
Jun 11, 2024
If you grew up with a love of reading and writing, it's only natural to ponder if a future as a writer would be right for you. However, what career opportunities are available for writers? Contrary to popular belief, you can choose from plenty of well-paying writing jobs.
In this blog, we'll explore the best writing careers, their salaries, responsibilities, and the essential skills you'll need to succeed in them. So join us and discover the best fit for you.
Understanding the Basics
A writing career offers diverse opportunities across various industries, such as marketing, communications, publishing, motion pictures, etc. The broad range of writing careers is a precursor of the potential for success in the field. However, it depends on your passion for writing, adaptability, persistence, skill development, and ability to capitalize on market opportunities.
Why Pursue a Career in Writing?
Pursuing a career in writing has several benefits, some of which are:
- Flexibility: Working as a writer opens many doors to different types of writing and mediums, such as technical writing or scriptwriting.
- Creativity: Writing provides space for creative expression, allowing you to explore ideas and concepts in various formats.
- Impact: A writing career allows you to make a meaningful impact on readers' lives by inspiring, informing, or entertaining them on a particular topic.
10 Best Writing Careers You Should Consider
Let's explore the best writing careers, including their potential salaries, required skills, and nature.
1. Content writer
Average annual salary:
Content writers are professionals who create and manage written content for businesses and organizations. They utilize their writing skills to communicate ideas, information, and stories in an engaging and informative way. Content writers can work for in-house businesses, content marketing agencies, or as freelancers.
Some of the critical duties and responsibilities of content writers include:
- Creating concise and straightforward content
- Revising and editing content
- Researching information
- Writing different types of content like blogs, articles, website copy, social media posts, and marketing materials.
The essential skills for a successful career as a content writer include the following:
- Originality
- Time management
- Editing
- Research
- Adaptability
- Search engine optimization (SEO).
2. Copywriter
Average annual salary:
Copywriters are professionals who write with the intent of educating, persuading, or influencing their audience to sell a product or service. They write blog posts, product descriptions, email blasts and sales letters, social media posts, press releases, newsletters, and banner advertising. Copywriters work for advertising agencies, internally within the marketing department of a company, or as freelancers in various industries. Some high-demand industries for them are pharmaceuticals, private education, healthcare, real estate, etc.
But what do they do? The day-to-day duties and responsibilities of copywriters involve:
- Writing accurate, well-researched content for a website that reflects the company's voice
- Proposing copy concepts in an engaging way for clients and carrying them out once they're approved
- Collaborating with PR and marketing departments to brainstorm and develop various marketing materials
- Meeting with clients to understand their brand voice, target audience, and message
- Conducting research to formulate ideas or support writing.
Furthermore, the essential skills for being a copywriter include:
- Critical thinking
- Audience understanding
- Marketing knowledge
- Attention to detail
- Research skills
- SEO knowledge
- Interpersonal skills.
3. Technical writer
Average annual salary:
Technical writers are professional writers who focus on producing instructions and how-to guides for consumers. Although they can work in a variety of industries, they primarily work in the computer and management, scientific, and technical industries. The typical daily tasks of technical writers include:
- Working with technical staff to make products and instructions easier to use
- Writing or revising supporting content for products
- Determining the needs of users of technical documentation
- Incorporating animation, graphs, photos, or illustrations to increase users' understanding of the material.
Crucial skills and qualities in the line of work of technical writers are:
- Attention to details
- Critical thinking
- Technical skills in fields like engineering or science
- Teamwork.
4. Freelance writer
Average annual salary:
Freelance writers are professionals who work as self-employed contractors and generally work for multiple clients at the same time. This career path offers a flexible lifestyle, including remote work, and a wide variety of subject matter and companies to work for. However, this profession also has potential drawbacks, such as irregular work, lack of social interaction, and insecure income.
Here are some helpful tips for building a successful freelance writing career:
- Identify your niche
- Learn how to negotiate your rate
- Network with other writers
- Learn how to edit your own writing
- Take constructive criticism well
- Develop strong research skills.
5. Grant writer
Average annual salary:
Grant writers are professional writers who create proposals for organizations to receive funding from governments or other agencies. They can work with nonprofit organizations, public institutions, or entities seeking funding.
The duties and responsibilities of grant writers involve:
- Researching funding opportunities, either federal or private
- Writing grant proposals that outline the organization's mission, programs, and funding needs
- Developing a detailed budget that aligns with the proposed project
- Collaborating with program managers or experts to gather data for grant proposals.
The skills and traits needed for a successful career as a grant writer include:
- Organization skills
- Practical thinking
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Persistence
- Industry knowledge
- Project management
- Research and analysis.
6. Scriptwriter
Average annual salary:
Scriptwriters or screenwriters are creative professionals who create storylines and narrative lines for films, television shows, video games, advertisements, and music videos. Depending on the size and budget of the projects, they may work on a script alone or collaborate with a team of writers. The typical duties and responsibilities of scriptwriters include:
- Writing and editing scripts based on unique ideas or actual events
- Creating narrative ideas and concepts to offer to filmmakers
- Curating adaptations of specific mediums to match the forms of cinema, television, or video
- Revising scripts as needed
- Creating genuine speech for each character
- Collaborating with filmmakers to create scripts based on various artistic visions.
By the time they write their first script, scriptwriters must possess the following skills:
- Passion
- Networking
- Flexibility
- Persistence
- Consistency
- Research
- Storytelling.
7. Ghostwriter
Average annual salary:
Ghostwriters are writing professionals who write articles, books, newsletters, blog posts, speeches, and other content using someone else's name. Because they publish content under another's name, they must be able to mimic various literary styles.
Although the ethics of ghostwriting remain a topic of debate, the ethical implications depend on the context and intentions behind it. The ethical concerns can be mitigated if the content doesn't misrepresent the author's expertise and is produced with integrity.
The essential skills necessary in the line of work as a ghostwriter include:
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Organizational skills
- Publishing knowledge
- Adaptability
- Research skills.
8. Editor
Average annual salary:
Editors are professionals who ensure that the written content meets quality standards and effectively communicates with the intended audience. They play a crucial role in proofreading, editing for style and clarity, and overseeing the editorial process from acquiring content to publication. In their line of work, editors do the following:
- Read content and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors
- Evaluate submissions from writers and decide what to publish
- Rewrite text to make it easier for readers to understand
- Work with writers to help their ideas and stories succeed
- Verify facts cited in material for publication.
Important skills and qualities they need to succeed include:
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
- Good judgment
- Creativity
- Writing skills.
9. Content strategist
Average annual salary:
Content strategists plan and execute content strategies to help companies reach potential consumers. Essential tasks and responsibilities of content strategists include:
- Defining key brand messages for content
- Creating and communicating a content value proposition
- Briefing colleagues and delegating content tasks
- Planning, delivering, and promoting content for multiple channels and audiences
- Mapping content to stages in the user journey.
To work successfully in the field, content strategists must have exceptional skills and knowledge in:
- Organization and time management
- Storytelling
- Leadership
- Analytical skills
- SEO techniques
- Branding
- Data-driven mindset
- Social media skills.
10. Author
Average annual salary:
Authors are creative writers who create written content, such as books, short stories, articles, plays, or poems. This title can also apply to journalists, essayists, and bloggers. Although the adventure of writing and publishing a book is unique to each individual, let's explore some helpful tips and tricks:
- Develop a writing habit
- Define audience and purpose
- Create a writing outline
- Master skills like researching and observing people and places
- Set realistic writing goals
- Write, write, write
- Revise and edit
- Seek feedback and professional editing.
A career as an author is a rewarding endeavor. It provides creative fulfillment and an opportunity to impact readers' lives. However, it also involves dealing with rejection and financial uncertainty.
Educational Requirements
Although there aren't strict educational requirements for a writing career, earning a bachelor's degree and certifications can enhance your skills, knowledge, and credibility in the field. Relevant bachelor's degrees for a writing career include English, journalism, communications, etc. You can also pursue a master's degree in creative writing or English. Additionally, valuable certifications include Content Marketing Certification, Technical Writing Certification, Copywriting Essentials Certificate, etc.
Is Writing a Good Career Path?
Writing as a career path offers an outlet for creative expression, personal fulfillment, and diverse opportunities across various industries. However, a writing career can be unpredictable and lead to job insecurity. It can also be a solitary pursuit, resulting in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Regardless, whether writing is a good career path depends on your preferences, skills, and goals. It can be a highly rewarding career choice if you're passionate about writing and are willing to navigate its challenges.
The Bottom Line
The world of writing offers a legion of exciting and fulfilling career paths. From technical writing and content writing to ghostwriting, there's a writing career available to suit every interest and skill set. Although you may face rejections or setbacks, use them to refine your craft, and don't let them stop you from pursuing a rewarding career!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where do writers work?
Writers can work in publishing companies, newspapers and magazines, radio and television stations, advertising companies, etc.
Is writing a realistic career?
Yes. Writing is a realistic career, with many job opportunities across various industries. Some of them include marketing, media, publishing, and more.
What is the highest-paid writing job?
The highest-paid writing job is content strategist, with an average salary of $93,586 per year.
How do I start my career as a writer?
To start your professional writing career, you can:
- Earn a degree in journalism, creative writing, communications, English, or professional writing
- Network and seek like-minded writers
- Join a writing group
- Create your writer's website and build a portfolio of your writing
- Establish your niche.