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.

Jennifer Mattern

Today’s SpecialtyBuzz specialist is Jennifer Mattern. Jenn is a business and public relations writer, and is perhaps best known in the general freelance writing world as the founder of former “Worthy Wednesday” pick AllFreelanceWriting.com.

Here’s Jenn on the basics of what you need to know about business and PR writing:

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

My specialty area is business and PR writing. I have an educational background in that area which helped, but before going full-time as a freelance writer I ran a small PR firm. The writing aspect of that work (press releases, features, business blogging, media kits, etc.) led to the bulk of my business writing work when I decided I wanted to focus on the writing side and drop the consulting. Right now my primary services are blogging and press release writing. The vast majority of my work involves writing for the Web.

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

1. Copy and content are not the same thing. I’m always amazed at how many content writers just assume they can jump into copywriting without any training (and often without any understanding about what copywriting really is). You need a solid foundation in marketing and consumer psychology to be truly successful in any kind of marcomm writing (even if you’re self-taught).

2. You have to understand the true role of SEO. It’s not a be all and end all, but you have to understand the principles and you have to be able to apply them to anything from blog posts to press releases to Web marketing copy. It’s important that you pick up this information from top notch sources though — not e-books or most SEO blogs out there. A lot of the most common SEO advice given is actually terrible advice in the marketing / PR area, and you can’t sacrifice your marketing / PR value solely for SEO (if anything, keeping the focus on them nearly always improves rankings better than traditional SEO “tricks” — the fundamentals work for a reason).

3. You’re not going to get rich overnight. I see new writers wanting to jump into copywriting because they assume it’s where the big money is (and it is!). But you can’t do it just because you want the money. The money won’t always come quickly. For the record, you can earn quite well in Web content writing also, so if you truly prefer that style of writing then stick with it. Either way, it’s up to the writer to decide what to charge, who to target, and when to ask for more.

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

If you were willing to extensively research those marketing and PR fundamentals and you had a solid grasp of basic business you might be able to pick it up. Then again I’ve seen amazing marketing professionals who can strategize with the best of them but who can’t spit out converting marketing copy. In the end, while there are aspects you can learn (formally or not) you’ll either have the instinct for it or you won’t. Marketing and PR writing is about persuasion and influence. Blogging on the other hand could be picked up by just about anyone who can write informative or provocative content and who knows how to value themselves (biggest problem with wannabe professional bloggers is that they sometimes get sucked into believing that bloggers should earn far less than other types of writers – simply not true).

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

I can’t think of a single pitfall. It’s an excellent area to work in if you can cut it, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

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

Frankly, just about everyone is buying and selling. That’s the point. What company isn’t trying to sell something (whether that is a product or even an idea)? They need business, marketing, and PR writers to make that happen. It’s not just large corporations either. I actually focus on small and online businesses, some established and many just starting to build their Web visibility. The growth is phenomenal as more and more small to mid-sized companies enter the online playing field.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

I enjoy educating my clients actually. I’m so often impressed by how many of them don’t just want to hire a PR writer — they want to understand what PR tactics can really do for them. They’re open to learning. They’re open to trying new things. You can’t say that about every market or specialty, so in that sense I’m very lucky.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

While I shouldn’t complain about getting regular gigs (as in larger monthly contracts versus many smaller one-off projects), I’ll admit that sometimes some projects can feel a bit repetitive.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

First of all, writers need to remember that it’s not about being where other writers are. You need to be where the clients are. For me that’s relatively easy — I stick to webmaster and small business communities where those online and small business owners hang out. I’m not an association-joining, conference-going type. I find those things to be more distracting than anything else, and my networking (both in the PR industry and my client market) never suffered for it. My networking is done almost entirely online since I prefer Web-based work. In the end the absolute best networking tool though is your own writer platform — you visibility (your professional site, your blog, etc.). Then your network grows rapidly with little effort on your part. Clients and colleagues come to you.

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

Focus on those foundations of business, marketing, and PR. Real world experience in those areas is priceless. If you want to get into PR writing you might also want to spend some time building your network of media contacts. Most importantly though, forget the hype and techniques everyone else is using (directory submissions, article marketing, SEO’d to death press releases, etc.) and focus on your client’s ROI. That’s how you’ll set yourself apart – not by jumping on any bandwagon.

Jennifer Mattern is a professional business writer and blogger, sharing no-nonsense business advice for freelance writers at All Freelance Writing and The Query-Free Freelancer. You can learn more about her business and PR writing services at ProBusinessWriter.com or follow her on Twitter @queryfreewriter.

Jake Poinier

Today’s writer is corporate copywriter Jake Poinier. Feel free to use the comments to pick his brain about corporate copywriting, and don’t forget to read his bio for a little something extra to help us all with our freelance writing businesses.

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

During a decade in the editorial world, I had always done a bit of freelancing on the side – ads, magazine articles, annual reports, resumes. While in year three of a stint at a custom publishing job (that was rapidly reaching a dead end), I figured I could cobble together enough freelance jobs to make a go at it full time. Corporate copywriting was a natural fit since I had a background in several industries, from travel to banking to high-tech to healthcare, and had dabbled in various elements of advertising, sales and public relations. In August, I celebrated 10 years of being in business for myself, and I like it more than ever.

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

1) The breadth and depth of your general business knowledge is absolutely critical, because your clients aren’t just looking for nice-sounding words. They need content that communicates their image and drives business. If your client succeeds, so do you.

2) Relationships are paramount. Treat your best customers like gold and they will chat you up to other people. The best of those referrals will become gold, too. Rinse and repeat.

3) Be very wary of depending on one client for the bulk of your work. Each of us has to define what “too big” is, but I have friends who were forced back into corporate jobs because Sugar Daddy cut off the funds unexpectedly.

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

Much as they were frustrating, my 10 years in Cube World were invaluable training for understanding how business works–I couldn’t have succeeded at this right out of college, regardless of a degree in English or writing skill. Obviously you need to be a solid writer who has an ear for different styles and formats, but it’s equally important that you have an eye and a brain for sales/advertising/marketing, both for your clients and your own business.

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

If you focus on a single type of industry, topic, or medium, you may struggle to get enough business at first. Once you’ve grown your business, that risk flips around: You can get pigeonholed. If you love a particular topic, or exclusively write for print rather than web, perhaps you’re OK with that…but it scares me to death.

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

Despite the overall economic sluggishness, 2009 has been a decent year – not every industry is in bad shape.

1) Education and healthcare, particularly long-term care, are among the strongest in my portfolio at the moment.

2) Interestingly, the several mom & pop graphic design firms that I work with have remained busy, perhaps a testimony to the fact that businesses still need to market and advertise, and that small agencies offer a more cost-effective way to do that.

3) Clients in industries that have been hit hard, like construction and leisure travel, have been less active as budgets got slashed. I still maintain close relationships, however, so that they’ll call me first when things pick up.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

Too many to name, but I’ll name two. One, I get bored incredibly easily, which is why the editorial staff world eventually wasn’t for me. The best cure for my “undiagnosed ADHD” is to do something different every day – a typical week might include work on a web site, a magazine ad, copy for a video, and a newsletter. Companies always have interesting problems to solve, and I dig being a part of that process. Two, I thrive on the freedom of having my own business. I get to do things I enjoy to help people I genuinely like. What’s better than that?

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

Call me a Pollyanna, but I have no complaints…or at least none that aren’t self-inflicted. OK, OK, I hate past-due collections and I’ll admit that the occasional non-payment gets under my skin. If you’d lose sleep without a steady paycheck, freelancing isn’t a good choice.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

For me, organized groups are in the eye of the beholder. I’ve got several dozen freelance writer and editor friends that I talk with, but I’m not a part of any formal writer’s groups; I find it more interesting to hang out with designers at the local chapter of AIGA. I was one of the charter members of a group in the Phoenix area called “Creative Connect,” a group for all disciplines that recently launched new chapters in Minneapolis and Salt Lake City. I’ve worked with the Editorial Freelancers Association and they have a great reputation.

I know it’s technically not “networking,” but nothing beats cold-calling when it comes to unearthing new clients. The good news is that, if you do a bang-up job of it starting out, you might never have to do it again.

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

Freelancing sometimes gets a bad name, because it can connote flakiness or someone who is killing time between jobs. By positioning yourself as an independent business, including developing connections to other highly skilled creatives, there are countless companies that understand your value and will be willing to pay for it.

Jake Poinier was born and raised in Boston, moved to Phoenix in 1992, and is currently in the middle of a one-year stint in New Brunswick, Canada–living, breathing, freezing proof that you can maintain your freelance business anywhere there’s an Internet hook-up. Visit his company website at BoomvangCreative.com and his Jake’s Take blog, which delves into a variety of topics in freelancing and entrepreneurship. Jake invites all freelancers–and clients who hire freelancers–to participate in Freelance Forecast 2010. The second-annual survey will begin on December 1, but you can sign up to be notified here. (All participants receive a free copy of the final results.) A pdf of Freelance Forecast 2009, including freelance and client survey results, can be downloaded at his blog or web site.

Today’s SpecialtyBuzz guest is Katy Lindamood, and her appearance here marks a bit of a milestone when it comes to SpecialtyBuzz – this is the second subject matter writer I’ve covered who writes about sports. And both of our sports writing specialists have been female! Let me just throw in that Mr. Escalona, who works for one of those national cable news networks, tells me that their up and coming sportscasters are majority female. No pressure or anything guys, but sports writing and commentary doesn’t belong solely to you anymore. Right on, ladies!

In that spirit, are you a female NASCAR fan? Read on to the very end of this post for an opportunity that just might float your boat.

And now, I give you Katy Lindamood, NASCAR writer:

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

In reading blogs and websites covering the sport of NASCAR I noticed that nearly every site I visited had similar stories. It seemed like most sites were happy just regurgitating the same story you can find on 100 other racing related sites.  While I admire all the writers in the field for giving it their best effort I wanted to see articles that were thought provoking, questioned the status quo, and brought a different side of the story to the table.

I have been a fan of the sport since the age of 12 when, for some reason, my family chose to watch a race on television. Bored out of my mind, I sat there hoping for a wreck and then a car went into a barrel role down the backstretch and flipped at least a dozen times. From that point on I was hooked. Choosing to write about NASCAR began with my fan blog, The Biff Files, which I co-author with my best friend. From there I was given the opportunity to write guest posts for a few different sites. I recently accepted a position with Examiner.com covering driver Kyle Busch and have also been involved in the site’s coverage of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup covering driver Kurt Busch. This is by no means the end of what I am hoping to accomplish but it’s a good start.

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

When deciding if NASCAR or any type of motorsports or sports related niche is right it’s important to look for a distinctive point of view. There are thousands of sites and writers covering the same topic and if you can’t differentiate yourself from the pack you get lost. For instance, my choice to cover Kyle and Kurt Busch for Examiner.com doesn’t make me popular with a lot of fans. Why? Of the 43 drivers in the field each weekend these two brothers are among the most disliked. Most of the articles you see relating to them are negative and I wanted something that looks at them from the opposite point of view.

Secondly, anyone writing about this sport has to understand you are going to get criticized if your point of view goes against what the majority of the fan base believes. NASCAR fans are passionate about their drivers and team owners and if you say something against a popular driver it’s going get attention from his fans and followers. They aren’t always nice, but that’s one of the things that make this sport so entertaining and I love the back and forth between fans of rival drivers.

Finally, competition between writers is brutal when it comes to being the first to break a story. If you are the first to get a story out then you are going to get more readers than someone who covers the story 48 hours after it broke. You’ve got to be ready at a moment’s notice and stay on top of official NASCAR press releases and team releases.

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

You don’t need to be a mechanic or a member of a team to become a writer covering the sport, but you do need to have a basic knowledge of how it all works. The sport is very technical in terms of how cars are designed and set up for the race. If you don’t know the basics or at least the key teams, drivers, and terms used to describe the handling of a race car then you aren’t going to have much success.

As for education, I’ve seen writers that only have a high school level education successfully cover the sport. It depends on your point of view and how you present yourself and your writing. Some see those without a journalism degree as unworthy to write about the sport, but anyone with the talent and drive can become successful regardless of their educational background.

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

NASCAR has and always will be a male dominated sport and because of that it’s hard for women to break in as writers. There are quite a few successful women covering the sport, but they are largely outnumbered by men. For this reason it’s even more important that females covering the sport have a unique perspective.

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

Since I only recently choose to go all out writing about NASCAR, I’ve not yet had the opportunity to fully explore all the options that area available for writers. Finding a paying gig is difficult because even some of the most respected sites covering the sport don’t have the money to pay writers. Luckily many will allow you contribute articles. Even if you aren’t getting paid it’s a great way to build up a portfolio and get your name out there. If your contributions add value to the site your nonpaying gig might become a paid job in the future. Locally a writer may be able to get in with their newspaper writing a blog or covering the sport for the printed edition. Some writers who live in smaller communities may have more success with this. Most of the time the stories found in newspapers come from the Associated Press rather than local journalist, so if you can get your foot in the door that’s a great place to start.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

I love being able to write about something that I have a passion for. It much more fulfilling that writing for content mills or struggling to cover a topic that bores you to tears.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

The one thing that really aggravates me about writing about NASCAR is readers who personally attack the credentials or the ability of a writer to successfully cover a story rather than just disagreeing with your point of view.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

Twitter and Facebook are great resources to have in this specialty. Drivers, teams, tracks, and other media outlets use Twitter and Facebook for promotion. There is also a huge group of fans who tweet their play by play coverage of races and other related events each weekend.

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

Know your market, find your voice, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Other than that, become a member of NASCARMedia.com in order to get access to breaking stories, press releases, historical data, and photographs. Also make friends with the bloggers and sites that NASCAR officially recognizes. There are 25 sites that are considered Citizen Journalism sites. If you can contribute to any of those, go for it. It’s a step in the right direction. Finally, don’t give up. Your favorite driver doesn’t give up when his day doesn’t go as planned and you shouldn’t either.

Katy Lindamood is a freelance writer, blogger, and a self diagnosed NASCAR addict. Katy is currently the Kyle Busch Examiner for Examiner.com, covering one of the most hated drivers in the sport. Katy’s Examiner articles also appear on 4wide.com. In addition Katy, along with her best friend and fellow NASCAR fan, maintains a personal blog called The Biff Files and she is a contributor to The Final Lap. Katy resides in Ashland, Kentucky with her husband, 3 dogs, and 1 cat. If you are interested in contacting Katy for additional info on this topic or hiring her for a job she can be contacted via email or through Twitter.

Female NASCAR fans, listen up! Katy is in the process of creating, Skirts and Scuffs, a NASCAR site written completely by women. If you are interested in contributing the female point of view to NASCAR coverage, contact Katy via email or Twitter for more information.

If you are new to the Life and Times of a Freelance Writer or missed a SpecialtyBuzz specialist interview, I’m including this handy cheat sheet to help you navigate the waters of SpecialtyBuzzdom. And, of course, SpecialtyBuzz isn’t going anywhere. If you specialize in a certain type of writing and wouldn’t mind sharing your expertise with the less experienced, please feel free to drop me a line!

Writing Style Experts

Subject Matter Experts

Is there a certain style of writing or subject matter you would like to see? Let me know in the comments and I will go to heroic length to rustle up a pertinent specialist.

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

I work full-time as a technical writer for a small information assurance and online training company, so I’ve naturally carried that into my freelance writing, where I take on technical writing projects in the form of user guides, requirements documents, release notes, organizational processes and procedures, and other technical documentation. I kind of fell into tech writing, honestly. I was looking for full-time writing work at a time when I was changing careers and didn’t have much professional writing experience. I happened upon a small company looking for a technical writer, but without the budget to pay someone with a lot of experience. They took a chance on me and allowed me to learn on the job, giving me the opportunity to do a variety of writing and editing work, for which I will always be grateful. As I got more experience, I was able to use the job (although not the proprietary documents I created) as a reference for freelance tech writing work I went after.

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

1) As in all writing, knowing how to write well and organize a document effectively is a necessity. Organization is particularly important when you’re creating instructional documents or processes.

2) For technical writing in particular, knowing how to write for a specific audience and modify your style based on that audience is really important. For example, if you’re writing a user guide, you need to be able to write about technical topics so that a non-technical audience can understand. On the other hand, if you’re writing requirements documents for a software programmer, you need to be able to write for a more technical audience.

3) A technical writer also needs to have a strong desire to learn about things that they may not initially understand, a willingness to ask a lot of questions (even to the point of feeling ignorant sometimes), and the ability get along with technically minded people. (If you’re not sure what I mean, spend a day or two hanging around with a computer programmer or systems administrator and you should get the idea.) You also need to be comfortable nagging people endlessly for the information you need. Technical writers (and the documentation they create) can sometimes be pretty low on the technical staff’s priority list.

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

It’s hard for me to answer this question because of how I fell into technical writing. As a layperson myself, my instinct is to say “No training required”. Ideally, though, I think a technical writer would have technical experience of some kind and, depending on the types of technical writing you are doing, some experience with the systems, programs or technical field you will be working with or in. In fact, a lot of companies looking for technical writers prefer to hire former programmers, engineers or other technical personnel who are moving into the technical writing field.

At the very least, it’s important for technical writers to have a general understanding of the systems or programs that you’ll be documenting. I’ve found that if you are comfortable with science and technology and are willing to bug technical professionals for some hands-on training and ask a lot of questions, you can get by with minimal technical experience in an entry-level tech writing position or for basic freelance projects. Once you get some experience and learn more about the different types of technical documentation, you can move on to more advanced positions or projects.

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

Technical writing isn’t exactly a glamorous or exciting specialty. If you’re not technically inclined or at least a little interested in the products or processes you’re documenting, boredom or frustration can set in. If you’re not a natural tech geek (and I say that with love for all the tech geeks out there), you’ll want to choose your projects wisely so you don’t get burned out.

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

It seems to me that someone is always hiring technical writers. In particular, government contractors, software and hardware companies, web developers and programmers are often looking for technical writers to add to their teams. Unfortunately, with the current financial climate, I’ve noticed that a lot of full-time tech writer positions are being combined with other technical positions (e.g., database programmer/technical writer). Businesses that are looking to save money and tighten their budgets are also turning to their current employees and giving them additional tech writing responsibilities. On the other hand, smaller companies who already have overworked employees and can’t afford to hire a full-time writer are often looking for freelancers to meet their technical documentation needs.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

I get to learn something new almost every day. I also get to interact with really intelligent people who, once you get to know them, are often teachers at heart and really love what they do and want to share it. That makes a topic that could be pretty dull much more exciting if you’re willing to learn about it.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

Sometimes the subjects are really dull and there’s just no way around it, no matter how you spin it or who you’re working with. In these cases, it’s nice to have a more interesting project going at the same time.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

I subscribe to http://www.gettechnicalwritingjobs.com/, which lists technical writing-job postings from all over the country. I think it’s important to know what tech writing positions companies are hiring for, what skills they want in a writer, and what types of companies are doing the hiring. I’m also a member of the Society for Technical Communication (http://www.stc.org/), which may include local chapters in your area. STC also puts out a great publication, Intercom (http://www.stc.org/intercom/Index.asp), which has some articles available online even if you are not a member of STC.

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

If you’re thinking about getting into technical writing, Intercom is a great place to get an idea for what the specialty entails. When you’re ready to start pursuing tech writing work, you might want to develop a sample user guide, white paper and/or organizational process to submit to potential clients.

If you prefer having creative control over your work or doing all your research online and over email, you probably won’t last long as a tech writer. And that’s OK. Technical writing is not for everyone. On the other hand, if you like order and organization, learning and teaching, and working with teams of technical people, I’d say go for it.

Ami Spencer is always looking for opportunities to be creative and learn about new topics–and writing allows her this pleasure. She has almost a decade of writing and editing experience, with nearly half those years spent creating technical documentation and manuals. Ami’s other specialties include copywriting and editing for print and the web, as well as feature writing and editing for popular and trade publications. She also offers ghostwriting services for the busy professional who needs to write a speech, presentation or article, but just doesn’t have the time. To learn more about Ami or view her portfolio, check out her website and blog at http://amispencer.com.

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

If I were to claim a specialty, it would have to be reviewing since that is how I got my start in freelance writing, and a generalist when it comes to writing articles. A friend told me about a company that was looking for reviewers, e-mail is a wonderful thing. I applied, took a test to see how I would work out, the rest as they say; is history.

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

1. You must love reading.

2. Never give away the story.

3. Watch you writing.

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

A nonprofessional can pick up reviewing. It just takes time to become a good reviewer, and to learn how to write a good review. I have written over 70 reviews, and try to improve with each one.

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

The pay per review can be low, and authors may not like your review. The author may ask you to rewrite the review. You will also have to do review on genres you normally do not read.

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

There is a huge market for book review writers. There are many books published, and someone has to review them. Why not you?

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

The opportunity to learn something new, as a reviewer, there are a myriad of subjects and clients to write for. You can explore new and varied subjects. There always seems to be something new to write about. As someone who enjoys learning new things this is fun, not work. As an avid reader, there is always the next book to review without having to purchase it. After reviewing the book, donate it to your local library, this helps the library and the readers. You can read and help others in your community at the same time.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

As an independent contractor for a company, waiting for the next book assigned for review; and having to check the mail when one is assigned, also some of the subjects. Many authors want free reviews. This is not the case for the company I work for.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

Social media is good way to network and find other reviewers you can ask question about reviewing. The advent of the internet and high-speed connections, you will find it easier to connect with them. Look for authors and e-mail them with an offer to review their book for a complimentary copy. Most authors are willing to do it if your review will end up at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites. Do searches for forums and sites frequented by authors. Ask your librarian if they know of any writer’s groups or if they know of a local author. Put an ad in your local paper. Use your imagination.

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

Write the best you can at all times, and always strive to improve with every piece you write. Learn what it takes to work at home in your town or city. You may find that you need a license, or some type of certificate to work out of your home, even though no clients come to your home. Create a business and marketing plan. Learn about what records you need to keep for tax purposes. For this, you might need to consult with a tax professional.

First and foremost, remember that reviewing is a business. You need to treat it like one.

Robert Medak began writing professionally in February of 2006. He wrote most of his articles from late 2007 to early 2008. He has written both technical How-To while in telecommunications, and nonfiction articles, how-to, and blog content since retirement from the SBC. Robert was born in San Pedro, CA where he spent most of his life. In June of 2008, he with his wife, three dogs and three cats, moved from Southern California to a small town in Northwest Kansas.

Robert writes for four blogs of his own and maintains two for AllBook Reviews. The URL to his blog about freelance writing is: http://rjmedak.wordpress.com/

Robert also has a blog for children and about animals at: http://kidsandanimals.wordpress.com/

You can visit his website at: http://stormywriter.com.

Have questions for Robert on how you too can review? Leave them in them in the comments below.

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

Paintball is one of my specialty writing niches. I actually have a few. I believe that while it’s good to be an expert, it can also be limiting for someone looking to build a full-time freelance career. Unless your specialty is something huge, I feel like it’s safer to have a few different niche markets. Also, it keeps things interesting to write about so many different topics.

Dawn Allcot defending her tank

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

That’s a tough one. It’s really helps, it’s almost mandatory, to know a lot about paintball and to love the sport.

Second, sadly, you really need connections in the paintball publishing world. But that’s not as scary as it sounds, because knowing just one editor or a few writers can help you get your foot in the door.

Three: This is probably the one a lot of paintball writers don’t realize. It helps to know how hard a paintball editor’s job is, what they have to contend with every day. As an editor – and I know because I edited two paintball magazines – you have a very limited budget. You have new teams and players constantly bugging you for coverage but not willing to give you good reasons to do so. Teams approach without a good hook or angle and they’re just really wasting an editor’s time.

A lot of times, you have to deal with paintball enthusiasts that have good ideas but aren’t professional writers. If a writer keeps all these things in mind, and is considerate of an editor’s time, approaches an editor in a professional manner, and does everything possible to make the editor’s job easier, they will really stand out. I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m whining. I see it more as an opportunity for new, talented writers willing to work hard.

Can I add a plug? I have a 7-week course for paintball writers that takes interested people through everything from querying to writing game coverage and even how to team up with a photographer. When they finish the course, graduates will have two completed articles ready to submit to magazines or Web sites. Right now, you can find the course for sale at www.theabundantwriter.blogspot.com, along with my more mainstream writing course.

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

A talented layperson could pick it up, but a love of the sport really helps. Pay rates aren’t exceptionally high, but the perks are pretty good if you’re a player! That said, it’s a great market for beginning writers to accrue national clips, whether or not they play paintball.

Are there any potential pitfalls associated with specializing in your area? See above. The pay is low and it’s long work. For event coverage, for instance, you spend anywhere from a full day to a week at an event, then you go home, sort photos and write the story. You’re putting in many, many hours for, at most, a few hundred dollars. But really, I have a hard time calling it work. You’re hanging out on a paintball field, ideally in beautiful weather, talking to all sorts of wonderful and interesting people.

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

Like many other industries, the paintball industry has fallen on hard times in this economy. Several publications have gone all-digital in the past year, but the ones who are strong remain strong. As far as print, Facefull and its woods paintball sister publication, Jungle, is still buying, as is the new PBX3 and Action Pursuit Games (APG).

And, here’s some big news: a new digital magazine, Shooting Hot, is launching this October. The owners, Dale Ford and Billy Smith, love the game. Dale is one of the top paintball journalists and his wife Jamie is a talented photographer. Billy Smith is one of the most successful field owners in the country. I’m going to write for Dale and Billy, maybe even for the premiere issue, and I’m really excited to see the magazine.

I believe digital really is the future of paintball publications. That’s probably the case with a lot of niche markets. The overhead is just so much lower.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

The people. Paintball is like a giant, close-knit, sometimes dysfunctional family. I also love the reaction I get when I tell people I write about paintball. It’s such an easy answer to the question, “What do you write?” and it diverts people’s attention from the standard “writer” questions we all get tired of answering. Instead, people want to know if I play and then they want to hear about my tank, which is built on a Chevy S10 Blazer and has a cannon. My husband built it and we use it in high profile scenario games like the one held every May at Cousins Paintball.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

The slow and/or low pay. It really is a labor of love and if I were writing only about paintball to make a living, I’d starve.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

The paintball forums, including PBNation, are a great way to network online. Every February, the Paintball Extravaganza, a trade show for the paintball industry, takes place and most of the magazines have booths there. Look up the biggest paintball games in your area, contact the field owner or event producer for press passes, and show up at the game. Also, talk to your local field or store! I’ve done promotional writing for a number of field owners and tournament series’. Lots of people in paintball need writers for articles, press releases, product descriptions—anything you can imagine.

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

Even if you don’t play, it should be a labor of love. Many industry people haven’t picked up a paintball marker in years but just love the people and the atmosphere so much, it doesn’t matter that they don’t actually play anymore. I started out writing for the magazines before I started actually playing and I still enjoying covering a game as much as I love running around in the woods with my paintball marker.

Dawn Allcot is the former editor-in-chief of both Paintball Sports Magazine and RECON: The Magazine of Woods Paintball. Her work has also appeared in Paintball News, Paintball 2Xtremes, the Cousins Paintball newsletter and on the Paintball Sports Trade Association website. She has been playing paintball for nearly a decade and has been a freelance writer and editor for almost 15 years. You can find out more at www.allcotmedia.com and you can purchase her writing courses for beginners at www.theabundantwriter.blogspot.com.

Today’s SpecialtyBuzz guest is professional editor Nanette Littlestone. Don’t forget to pick her brain with your editing questions in the comments!

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

I remember noticing typos in the newspaper when I was in high school and I had the fleeting thought that it would be fun to proofread for the paper. But that was as far as that thought took me. My shyness inhibited further exploration on my part. I did, however, love to read – reading has always been my passion – and throughout my office administration career I read, composed, and edited numerous business letters, technical documents, legal papers, and more. I became a professional editor when I started to write, joined several writers groups, and discovered the joy of offering advice and expertise to the other writers in my groups. I have a fondness for fiction because of its ability to “take me away” to other settings and involve me with new and unique characters, but I also love working with the nonfiction side and helping authors explore their subject and their own potential. Show me something in print and I want to make sure it’s well-written.

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

1. The first thing to be aware of are the different types of editing. At one end of the scale lies proofreading, which includes spelling, typos, and grammar. A proofreader (generally) does not change sentence or word structure; he/she simply corrects mistakes. Copyediting or line editing comes next, which includes proofreading plus rearranging or rephrasing awkward sentence structure to enhance the flow of the language. Copyeditors read for content, so if something doesn’t make sense or feels out of context, then the copyeditor can make changes or contact the author for revisions. The more complex types of editing are called heavy, developmental, or substantive, and these look at the project as a whole. In addition to proofreading and copyediting, this editing evaluates structure, flow, point of view, narrative voice, characterization, plot, and more.

2. Decide which area appeals to you the most and then try it out. Take some grammar tests online. Review magazine or newspaper articles and see if you can spot typos or badly phrased sentences, or look at how you might rephrase some lines to add more emotion or description. Offer to edit a friend’s paper or essay and see what you can do with it.

3. Finding errors is just one part of the job. Helping the writer fix the problems often involves motivation and inspiration. This is where the editor becomes a coach. If the writing is dull, moves too slowly, or needs more description, don’t just circle the problem. Offer suggestions. Give the writer an example. If nothing comes to mind, seek out your favorite book. Maybe a passage there will have what you need. If all else fails, let it rest. Sometimes the answer doesn’t come immediately and may require time. Your client(s) will thank you for your efforts.

Does editing require any particular training or could a layperson pick it up?

Good editors have experience, a lot of knowledge, and a good grasp of the English language. Writing, teaching, or a background in journalism would be helpful. On-the-job training is a wonderful way to learn. There are also a number of editing courses available online. Different publications may require slightly different skills. Book publishers use the Chicago Manual style whereas journalists (magazines and newspapers) use the AP (Associated Press) style. I have a number of reference books on hand to help me with the different styles.

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

People buy books and magazines constantly, which means that authors are writing books all the time. Some of the major publishing houses have cut back and aren’t taking on as many projects right now, but self-publishing continues to increase. And the electronic book industry is doing well.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

Aside from the joy of reading, what I enjoy most is combining my skills with the author’s writing and turning a rough draft into a work of art. Good writing is more than just putting words down on paper. The story needs to be cohesive and flowing with strong characters that the reader cares about. Developing that cohesiveness and flow can mean cutting out extraneous material, adding in description, creating compelling dialogue, and crafting good hooks and riveting scenes that draw in the reader and make them want more. To do this often takes many revisions. I love taking the author’s vision and seeing beyond what’s in the first draft to that final, wonderful story.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

What I enjoy least is telling the author when I don’t like something, especially when that something has a major impact on the story. I once told a writer that the murderer’s point of view was unnecessary and I thought she should rewrite the scene from the victim’s point of view. I reasoned that the victim’s point of view had been used throughout the book, and throwing in the murderer’s point of view at the very end was jarring. She cried when she read my note. After several days of reflection she agreed with me and rewrote the scene.

Even though I’ve been writing for 15 years, I still don’t like to be critiqued. And that empathy goes into my editing. I worry how my clients will take “bad” news. But I’ve learned over the years that people appreciate honesty and they want to learn. So if I come from my heart and offer examples and suggestions for improvement, my clients are more than satisfied with me.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty?

Join your local writing organizations. Attend speakers’ and coaches’ functions. Go to writing conferences and book-selling events. You’d be surprised how many people want to be writers and every writer needs a good editor. Write articles about writing for your local magazines and include your web site and contact information. Submit your articles online. Spread the word. Let people know you’re available.

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

Be willing to under-promise and over-deliver. I see ads on the internet for one-day turnaround or editing a full manuscript in a week. I’m sure there are people who can do that, but I believe the clients aren’t getting what they need. The writing may be error-free, but does it make an impact on the reader? Good editing takes time, especially the substantive kind. Allow yourself the time to do a good job. You’ll be grateful that you weren’t rushed, and your clients will thank you for your extra effort.

Nanette Littlestone is a freelance editor, short story writer, poet, and songwriter who lives in Johns Creek, Georgia. Over 15 years of experience working with both fiction and nonfiction kindle her passion for helping authors achieve their own unique voice and message. Her poetry and short stories have appeared in The Writer’s Room, The Sidewalk’s End, Mystic Horizon Press, and Andwerve. Several of her edited works have received IPPY and ForeWord Magazine awards. Nanette is a member of the Georgia Writers Association and leads an ongoing writers group. For more information, please visit www.wordsofpassion.com.

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

I begin my career in fundraising at Covenant House New York (a nonprofit organization that caters to 18-21 year old at-risk youth).  It was fate that led to the industry. I have experience in direct mail fundraising and special events, but what I specialize in and have become an expert in is corporate, foundation and government grant writing.

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

1. Have a passion for wanting to help others

2. Be able to tell a compelling story on paper

3. Understand that the pay is not the same as in the for-profit industry.

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

It’s a little bit of both.  Anybody can write, but to tell a compelling story about an organization’s mission and service take training and technique.

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

Currently the economy.  A lot of corporations have shifted their funding priorities and are only giving to organizations they’ve supported in the past.  So the pool of potential corporations has shrunk from an ocean to a very small lake.

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

The current market for this industry is nonprofit organizations and start ups saving money without having to hire a full time staff person with benefits.

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

Being able to tell a compelling story that results in a corporation or foundation writing a check to support the organization’s mission and services.

What do you enjoy least about your specialty?

What I enjoy the least is proof reading.

How would you suggest networking within your specialty? Social Networking via  www.mashable.com, Association of Grant Writers www.agwa.us, Association of Fundraising Professionals www.afpnet.org.

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

If you have a passion for helping others then this is the field for you.

Zipporah H. Daniels-Browne is a Resource Development Director and Grant Writer.  She accumulated her knowledge from Dowling College (B.A./Sociology/Anthropology, Minor/Business Management) Metropolitan University of New York (Master Degree in Public Administration), Covenant House New York (homeless at-risk youth ages 18-21), Food Bank of South Jersey (under the leadership of Valerie Traore) and Presby’s Inspired Life an adult senior living community helping elderly adult with assisted and independent living. She resides in the Southern region of New Jersey with her Husband Adrian Browne and their two children Ciera and Aiden.

Are you a specialst freelance writer interested in sharing your expertise with new freelance writers in this very spot? I would love to interview you for SpecialtyBuzz. Please leave a message in the comments or contact me at here for more details.