Q: Article writing is my strength and I enjoy it more than any other type of business writing. I’m beginning to make the move from full-time staff writer to freelance writer, and I’m hoping to eventually make an annual income of $120K. My question is: Can I be successful—and make the income I want—by specializing in articles for company publications (e.g., intranet newsletters, online publications, employee magazines)? Or is this focus too narrow to achieve my income goal?
A: I’d never tell anyone they couldn’t do something, and sure it’s possible. It can be more difficult because you do have a narrower focus, but you can also do better because you’re specializing. I’d try to go after articles in trade publications, because when you get to know a particular industry well, you can command higher rates for specializing—and start getting into $1.50-2.00+ /word kind of rates. I’m no expert on the article end of things, so I’m afraid I can’t offer much more than that, but I do know that the more general you are, and the more mainstream the publication, the less you’ll probably make (except of course if you get to the major national weeklies/monthlies).