Freelance writer? Heard that specialties are where it’s at and exploring the idea of a freelance writing niche for yourself? Then my weekly SpecialtyBuzz segment is for you. Every week I post an interview with a specialist freelance writer who shares what they know about the ins and outs of their particular area of expertise.

Melissa Taylor

Today’s expert is Melissa Taylor, a subject matter who writes about education and parenting. Feel free to ask her question in the comments!

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

My specialty is education and parenting.  My M.A. is in Global Education, my B.A. in English and I hold a teaching certificate from the state of Colorado.  I worked as a teacher and literacy trainer for many years.  Now, I’m earning my parenting experience as a mom of two very surprising and clever kids.

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

1. The foundations of literacy

2. How to teach and/or parent individuals, because children differ.  One does not learn like another.  One does not motivate like another.  Look at the child and know the child.

3. How to make learning fun – in any and everything.

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

You need a background in education to write about education.  With parenting, you need some experience with children, but it would be easier to pick up than education.

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

Yes.  There is no money in education!

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

I find that I can sell articles to parenting magazines on education.  I’m still figuring out other clients.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

I love the topic!  Anything to help kids learn, to be successful, to become who they are meant to be, all of that, I just LOVE!  I could blather on for days about any number of things related to education and /or parenting.  I love getting paid to do so.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

Nothing.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

Get to know editors – stalking is frowned upon, but try to meet editors in person, offer them something that they need – your expertise. I network all the time – it’s good to be open to all possibilities.  I like the chamber of commerce, entrepreneur groups, LinkedIn and all the forums I can manage.

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

I’m probably too new at freelancing (9 months) to be helpful here.  I would get a writing coach like Yolander Prinzel – she’s really good and is steering me in the right direction.

Melissa is an expert parenting and education writer with a M.A. in Education from the University of Denver.  As a classroom teacher for many years, she lived the educator’s life.  Now, as a mom, she knows and experiences education from a parent’s perspective.  Daily life, research and continuing education developed Melissa into the parenting expert she is today.  Melissa’s school district, Douglas County Public Schools, awarded her Outstanding Teacher four years in a row.   (She’s still waiting for the mother of the year award and thinks this might be her year.)  In May 2009, she created Imagination Soup — a blog about fun ways to learn at home in math, science, reading and writing.  Melissa’s writing portfolio is online at http://melissatayloronline.com.