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5 In-Demand Writing Careers (for Non-Authors to Consider)

by | May 2, 2016

So you love to write.

The itch to put pen to paper is strong, but perhaps you aren’t interested in penning the next great American novel.

No need to give up on your writing dreams! There are dozens of career paths for you and those who have strong writing skills.

In our fast-paced, digital world, writing has almost become a lost art. So much day-to-day communication takes place online via email, social media, blogging and texting, and more than ever, companies are seeking employees who know how to communicate clearly through the written word.

Ready to find a job that allows you to shine doing what you love?

Check out these five in-demand writing careers and discover the skills you’ll need to land your next writing gig.

1. Writing tutor

Were you the person all your friends turned to when they needed someone to edit their college research papers the night before it was due? If so, becoming a writing tutor may be a great option for you.

Writing tutors are most often needed in academic settings, so consider checking out the job postings at local high schools, colleges and libraries. Similarly, parents often hire private tutors for their children, so posting fliers or business cards in physical locations in your town may help raise your profile.

Of course, there are also tons of websites offering tutoring services. For example, Varsity Tutors connects students with top tutors in a variety of different subjects all over the country.

Want to become a writing tutor? Here are some of the skills you’ll need:

  • A friendly and open personality
  • Strong spelling/grammar skills
  • The ability to clearly explain the English language and why certain rules apply
  • Patience

Average salary: $20,000 (usually paid hourly, may be best picked up as a side gig)

2. Journalist

If you love to investigate, research, dig deep and uncover untold stories, you might thrive in a career as a journalist.

The world of journalism has changed rapidly over the past 10 years, and while the field is shrinking, media outlets still need great writers to spread the news and communicate with various audiences.

Journalists and those with journalistic skills are needed for online media outlets (Think: BuzzFeed, Thought Catalog, Thrillist), content marketing firms, broadcast and radio stations, and more. Contrary to popular belief, yes, newspapers still exist, so becoming a reporter isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Want to become a journalist? Here are some of the skills you’ll need:

  • A curiosity to uncover stories
  • Ability to meet deadlines and turn stories around quickly
  • The desire to connect with others and share their stories
  • Knowledge of AP Style

Average salary: $38,176

3. Public relations specialist

The field of public relations isn’t all Samantha Jones glitz and glam, as you might think if you’ve seen any episode of “Sex and The City.”

As a public relations professional for six years, I can vouch for the fact that most of my days were spent at my desk drafting and editing content for press releases, pitches, social media posts, speeches, bylined articles and more.

The fun part of public relations writing is that you often need to think creatively and put on your reporter hat to craft messaging that captures the attention of the media.

Want to become a public relations specialist? Here are some of the skills you’ll need:

  • An ear for what’s newsworthy and will pique a journalist’s attention
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills
  • The ability to repurpose a piece of content for a variety of different media
  • Knowledge of AP style

Average salary: $43,398

4. Social media specialist

Dream of getting paid to spend your days on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest and Instagram? Social media specialists do just that, and a variety of other tasks, including community management and analytics reporting.

Creating awesome content for social media is important, but social media professionals need to be able to take it to the next level. They also need to be reactive and excel in crafting content on the fly for responses and replies on various platforms, staying true to the brand’s voice.

Want to become a social media specialist? Here are some of the skills you’ll need:

  • The ability to write succinctly for a variety of different platforms
  • A knack for community management
  • An interest in measurement and reporting
  • A zest for staying up-to-date with the ever-changing world of social media

Average salary: $38,100

5. Grant writer

Nonprofit organizations are always seeking strong communicators to help make a convincing case for their all-important grant submissions.

Better writing equals more funding for an organization to continue to function and serve its communities.

Grant writers should have a solid understanding of fundraising and nonprofit development and love working with a variety of team members — because it often takes a village to write a successful grant application.

Want to become a grant writer? Here are some of the skills you’ll need:

  • The ability to write persuasively
  • An understanding of data and statistics and how they play into written communication
  • Strong research skills
  • A passion for the topic/subject matter  

Average salary: $49,500

No matter how the world and technology continue to evolve, strong writers who can communicate in a creative, concise and clear manner will always be crucial to a company’s success. Keep your writing dream alive and sharpen your skills as you step into one of these fantastic career options.

What other jobs are great for people who love writing? Tell us in the comments!

National average salaries were gathered from Glassdoor.