Nonfiction encompasses a broad range of forms. That’s good news for a versatile writer with many interests. You might find you can become quite well versed at more than one of them, thus earning your keep by producing a variety of nonfiction work.
Or you can hone your skills and become an expert in one particular area, such as restaurant reviews or corporate communications. This allows you to sell your services to a specific market. For example, as a restaurant reviewer, you can sell your articles to local newspapers and magazines. As a specialist in corporate communications, you can sell your services to companies of all sizes.
Wondering where to start? Here’s a list of 30 types of nonfiction you could try:
- advice columns
- memoir
- news reporting
- personality profiles or interviews (Q & A)
- copywriting (for websites or blogs)
- advertorials and ad copy
- marketing copy
- creative nonfiction
- travel writing
- lifestyle articles
- prescriptive nonfiction books or articles
- how-to books or articles
- manuals
- technology writing
- grant writing
- report writing
- educational materials (reports, whitepapers, books, and articles)
- blogs
- newsletters
- business writing
- feral journalism
- business writing
- op-eds or opinion pieces
- personal essays
- field notes
- food writing or recipe writing
- product, service, restaurant, or entertainment reviews
- sports writing or reporting
- corporate communications
- social commentary
How to Choose a Nonfiction Writing Specialty
Decide on your nonfiction specialty by considering four things:
- your expertise
- your passion
- your purpose
- your inspiration
You will find it easiest to market your writing services—and actually obtain clients—if you have expertise in a particular area. For example, when I first began my freelance business, I targeted small businesses that might need a newsletter or copywriting. Why? Because I had just left two related jobs: one as the associate editor of corporate communications for The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, and the another as the editor of four award-winning newsletters run by a corporate communications consultant. The people I contacted knew I had the expertise they needed. Also, when I wanted to write articles about dance for Dance magazine, I let them know I had a son who had been dancing for 12 years.
Next, you will write better query letters and articles if you are passionate about your topics. So don’t decide to write about business if you hate everything to do with business. (I did this for a while; it’s not fun.) And an editor can smell a fraud from a mile away.
It’s always better to make your choices from a place of purpose. How will writing a memoir, op eds, lifestyle articles, or manuals help you reach your goals? Are these choices on purpose? Do they line up with your mission for yourself or for your career? Of course, you have to know your purpose. Is it to make a living, to tell your story, to inspire readers to change, to find an enjoyable way to write and create a small income at the same time, to build platform, to become a journalist or professional writer, or just to express yourself?
Last, do your nonfiction writing choices inspire you? It’s all well and good to take up lifestyles article writing because you think you can make money at it, but if doing this doesn’t inspire you in the least, you will soon lose interest. Plus, your writing will be flat and uninteresting. Even if you choose one of these nonfiction forms as a way to create a career, you will achieve more success if you pick a form that inspires you.
Choose wisely from the many nonfiction writing forms. Add to my list with a comment if you can think of more forms. And tell me which is your favorite form of nonfiction and why.
Learn “How to Start Your Freelance Writing Career” when you attend the January Nonfiction Writers’ University members-only teleseminar! Join the Nonfiction Writers’ University (NFWU) to ensure your spot. (Members also get recordings of the events, access to the NFWU forum, bonus products, and more…) Learn about the benefits of membership when you click here. Introductory membership fees now available!Image credit: dimijana / 123RF Stock Photo
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