How to Learn a New Freelance Writing Skill

By Dana Prince

It’s great to specialise in specific writing areas or genres. A lot of writing blogs will tell you that you need a niche. (I’ve said it myself!) It helps you get good, get fast, and command higher rates. But at times it can be good to add a new skill to your repertoire, too. Offering clients new services can help you maximise your earning potential with them. And, can help you diversify your writing work sources as well as keep you challenged. How do you learn a new skill? Here are some tips:

Analyse the Experts

Want to be a press release writer? Look up a writer who specialises in this area and analyse how they write. Find someone successful that dominates the search engines for the term “press release writer”. Check their business site and then look online on press release directories for press releases they’ve written. You can dissect their methods and create a template to practise on.

Want to be a great sales copy writer? Find out who dominates that area of writing (Bob Bly!) and investigate their methods. They may even offer tips and advice to others via their blog or an e-book.

Take a Course / Workshop or Read a Book

I’ve seen and taken great free and low-cost courses offered online for writers. Some are offered by online schools but some are offered by other writers who have a highly developed skill. And, don’t be afraid to take it offline. Reacquaint yourself with your library or local bookstore. There are great books by writers who will help you develop your writing skills in various areas such as business or creative writing through writing exercises.

Write for Someone Else

I love that what I do for a living helps me earn while I learn. I learned a lot in my early days of freelance writing through sub-contracting for other writers. This was a great way to get mentored and develop my skills while getting paid to write.

Practise!

Want to expand beyond web content or blog posts? Learn how to write press releases, resumes, create white papers, be a master sales copywriter by teaching yourself.

Take some initiative and try your hand at it:

• Write press releases for your writing business and distribute them.

• Write a white paper to give out to your customers about your business.

• Tackle affiliate marketing and sell something online on your own.

Not only will you develop your skills but you’ll be marketing yourself and increasing your writing income, too.