Pick the Copywriting Niche
That’s Right for You
Which industry niche is best for you? It’s an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. So first take a few minutes to learn how to best pick your copywriting niche. And then once you’re ready, learn about the most lucrative niches available today.
Finding Your Niche … The Easy Way
One of the most critical – and challenging – elements of effective marketing for new copywriters is identifying your market.
Many people try to promote themselves without focusing on a specific market. They tell themselves that everyone needs copywriting, so everyone – every company, large or small, no matter the industry – is a potential client.
And that may very well be true. But if you try to market yourself to everyone, your efforts will be spread too thin to be effective.
Unless you focus on one group of people in a particular industry – who have similar needs and will respond to a common message – your efforts will be haphazard and ineffective.
Start With What You Know
The best place to begin marketing your services is in a familiar arena. That’s where you’ll have the most confidence and credibility, and it’s an area in which you won’t have to start from scratch.
For example, if you worked as a mortgage broker for 20 years, this could be your “natural” market. You’re familiar with the industry and its needs, you already have contacts there, and your experience will enable you to provide potential clients with relevant samples.
Of course, most people have experience in multiple arenas. Resist the temptation to pursue them all at once. At the end of this article, you’ll find an action plan to help you identify your best market option.
Qualify Your Market
One or more of the potential markets you identify may not be fertile ground for your services. To qualify a market, ask the following five questions:
What is the current state of this market?
If it isn’t in a growth mode, it may not be a good time to get in.
What is the size of this market, and what types of projects are available?
Determine if you’re able to handle them, if you can handle them profitably, and if it’s work you would enjoy.
Does this market know they need your services?
If they don’t perceive the need, you aren’t likely to find work.
Are other service providers like you already working in this market?
If the answer is “no,” there’s a reason. The market may be unwilling to pay for these services, or may not perceive a need for them.
Do you like the people?
Doing business means working with people. If, for example, you quit your job as a hair stylist because you disliked all the gossip (generally speaking), you probably won’t be happy marketing your services to hair stylists.
If your answers to all five questions are satisfactory, then this market is a good match for you.
Action Plan
Identify Your Target Markets:
Identify 10 markets with which you have some connection, experience or familiarity. List each market, why it’s a good candidate, and mark down if you have – or could easily produce – samples. Use the examples below to guide you.
Market: Fundraising
Why: I volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, I regular donate my money and time to causes I care about
Samples: YesMarket: Software developers
Why: I’m married to one
Samples: YesTake a break – at least an hour or so – and return to your list. Review your list, and determine the three most promising candidates among the 10. Then, qualify each of the three with the five questions found in the section “Qualify Your Market” above.
Finally, to determine your most promising market, use the questions below to further research any of the three candidates that passed the qualifying questions from Step 2.
- How many prospects are there (locally, nationally, globally)?
- What is the average project size or purchase value?
- How often would they need your services per year?
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The Most Lucrative Niches for Copywriters
When selecting your niche, it’s good to know which ones pay the most! The following list contains the most lucrative niches for copywriters today.
Business-to-Business – Writing for a More Sophisticated Market
Businesses that sell their products to other businesses (rather than directly to consumers) need copy for direct-mail packages, brochures, case studies, white papers, and more. They need writers who can readily grasp the technical aspects of their business as well the emotional triggers of their target market. Becoming a specialist in B2B writing can keep you very busy … and be very lucrative.
Break Into the Business-to-Business Market
Become a Master Catalog Copywriter!
Every word in every catalog – whether it centers on fashion, sports, industrial supplies, electronics, or countless other product specialties – comes from the keyboard of somebody like you. Some of that catalog copy stimulates your buying impulse, and some doesn’t. That’s why effective catalog copywriters are in such high demand. It’s a copywriting niche that requires special skills. But because these are skills you can learn, you don’t have to be a “born” catalog copywriter.
Christian Market – Writing for a Higher Purpose
Now you can combine your passion for writing great copy and your spiritual passion into a new and fulfilling career in the Christian market. This exciting, emerging frontier in copywriting is hot right now … and shows every sign of growing hotter.
Discover the unique characteristics of this market along with all the critical nuances you need to know about to succeed. Get the tools and know-how to combine your passion and your work into a wonderful and meaningful career in one of the fastest growing markets today.
Break Into the Christian Market
Financial Services and Newsletters – The Most Lucrative Niche Around
Your clients in the financial industry are companies that publish newsletters that offer financial advice, highlight stock picks, or teach investment strategies. You could also write for banks, credit card companies, mortgage brokers, insurance companies, or financial advisors. In terms of opportunity for the direct-mail copywriter, this industry is a giant.
Break Into the Financial Market
Fundraising – Selling Your Services to Non-Profit Companies
There are 1.6 million charitable organizations in the United States. And a huge number of them depend on direct-mail copywriters for their fundraising efforts.
Becoming a specialist in writing fundraising letters for non-profit organizations can be very rewarding. Just think, not only do you get to live the lifestyle of a freelance copywriter, but you get to do it through helping causes you believe in.
Break Into the Fundraising Market
Health Market – Working to Improve People’s Lives
The medical and alternative health field is another example of the tremendous need – and opportunity – for good copywriters. In this market, you may find yourself writing a direct-mail package for a subscription newsletter, for a vitamin supplement, for a health-related book, or for a hospital or university. Writing for this market can be very rewarding, because your letter may actually help connect people with a life-saving product.
Internet Copywriting – A Market That’s Booming Like No Other
It’s no secret that top online copywriters make well in excess of $100,000 a year … just from writing for the internet. Others who are adept at writing for the internet have launched their own online businesses … selling their own products … with web copy they wrote themselves.
Now, AWAI has incorporated an amazing collection of proven million-dollar secrets into a new online copywriting program.
Break Into the Internet Market
Self-Help – The Market That Pays You Six Figures to Improve Your Life
Imagine experimenting with the latest yoga poses for golfers. Learning persuasive speaking skills. Discovering savvy real estate investing secrets. Healing through divine intervention with angels. Using mental push-ups to boost your intelligence.
All of these opportunities exist for you in the self-help market. Transform your life into a fulfilling, exciting adventure by tapping into this $8.56 billion industry.
Break Into the Self-Help Market
The Golden Thread for Today’s Top Niches
How To Write Catalog Copy That Sells
Bob Bly explains the key differences of writing catalog copy vs. long-form copy.
How to Target 10 Perfect Catalog Clients in Just 3 Days
Learn step-by-step how to target 10, 20, or more high-profit catalog clients in just three days. These are clients you’ll love working for … and who will pay you well.
Top 30 Mailers in the Catalog Industry
Discover the names and websites of 30 top mailers in the catalog industry.
4 Secrets for Developing a Powerful Catalog “Voice”
Will Newman explains what separates catalog copywriting masters from run-of-the-mill feature writers.
Industry Spotlight: Catalogs
Find out about trends and statistics in the catalog industry.
Top 10 Mailers in the Business Services Industry
Discover the names and websites of 10 top mailers in the business services industry.
Where to Meet Potential Clients … and What to Say When They Ask You What You Do
Copywriting Insider Editor, Heather Robson, explains how to find business services clients in your own hometown, and what to tell them when they ask what you do.
Industry Spotlight: Business Services
Find out about trends and statistics in the business services industry.
Top 10 Mailers in the Financial Advisory Services Industry
Discover the names and websites of 10 top mailers in the financial advisory services industry.
Financial Advisory Services – Your Key to the “Holy Grail” of Copywriting
Copywriting Insider Editor, Heather Robson, explains how writing for a financial advisor is a little different than writing for a financial newsletter publisher. Here’s what you can do to help your client increase his business while boosting your own income at the same time.
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