Today is Thursday and that can only mean one thing – SpecialtyBuzz! SpecialtyBuzz is a weekly segment where I ask specialist freelance writers to reveal all the juicy details about their particular specialties. Today’s featured guest is Maryan Pelland, a a multitalented writer who focuses on technology topics for baby boomers and women’s issues. (How do I know that she knows her stuff? Note that she calls me out for using the word “layman” in the interview.)

Here’s Maryan with some valuable advice for new writers:

What is your specialty and how did you get started in that particular area?

Dual specialty – I write about writing, particularly for women, and I do tech topics aimed at baby boomers.  I did service pieces for general interest mags, but markets changed and I saw an opportunity to target baby boomers, the largest generation we’ve ever had. More people, more readers. Besides, I am a baby boomer and a tech junkie. Writing for writers is a natural extension of being in this business for so many years. You learn and pass it on.

What are three things a writer needs to know before choosing to specialize in your area of specialty?

Need to know marketing inside out and backwards. The print and online publishing industry is flooded with writers who have lost other work and wannabes. You’d better know your audience, your topic and how to sell yourself. Write 30% of the time, sell it the rest.

Does writing in your specialty require any particular training or could a layman pick it up?

There’s a question that could start flame wars in web forums. I’m a trained writer – experience and education have taught me things a “layman” (fairly gender specific word) wouldn’t know. My tech knowledge comes of training and experience. But the biggest challenge in writing is that the buyer’s perception of value often outranks the writer’s perception of expertise – you get what you pay for, in general.

Are there any potential pitfalls associated with specializing in your area?

Technology changes minute by minute. Rumors abound. Best to know reliable sources, build relationships with major players and keep tuned in to changes. If Apple or Nintendo has a new release, for example, I’m on their list of people to tell it to. Getting recognized as a relevant writer who understands consumer tech takes work. Try to fake it and you’ll lose your audience.

What is the current market for writing in your specialty? Who is buying and who is selling?

Web sites like PC World hire staff bloggers. Places like CNET use columnists, or regular contributors. Some web work comes as one-time assignments. In print, magazines are beginning to value baby boomer experts. Lots of conglomerate sites offer rates based per page clicks – but you won’t make a living that way. You have to market yourself, submit articles, develop expertise and keep yourself visible.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

The freedom to work from anywhere and getting new products before other people know they’re there.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

The glut of unskilled writers out there who don’t learn their market before they dive in.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

Follow sites like Engadget, DemystifyingDigital or CNet and make intelligent, non-marketing comments to the articles. Use Twitter – lots of techies hang out there – but consider what you post. Once you post it, you can’t take it back and if you get a rep for not really knowing the industry, it lasts a long time. Read, read, read – figure out where you need to be and get there.

What advice would you give to freelance writers interested in specializing in your area?

Wow – I’m just about adviced out. Every writer needs to learn the mechanics of good writing – spelling, grammar, syntax. Marketing is key. Knowing your audience and your subject just can’t be faked.

Maryan Pelland is a working, independent writer in technology, freelance writing and women’s issues. She’s an associate editor at DemystifyingDigital.com, widely known as the DigitalGrandparent, and her byline is seen in dozens of print and online publications. See more of Maryan’s work at Ontext.com.