In Part 2 of Why Using Tactics As A Freelance Writer Is Important we looked at three important objectives of your publications as a freelance writer:
1.) identifying the need or want of your target audience, then
2.) you need to focus on the perfect solution to satisfy that need or want and lastly
3.) you need to steer your reader into a sincere and honest Call To Action which simply means that you need to tell the person what you want him/her to do next after reading your masterpiece.
In Part 1 of Why Using Tactics As A Freelance Writer Is Important I went into identifying and targeting your one person you need to write for.
This part, part 3, holds close relation to Part 1 and finding your ideal and laser-targeted person. I want to delve a little deeper into the importance of narrowing down your niche and focusing your article or publication on a refined or fine-tuned subject rather than writing into the air so to speak.
Being a freelance blogger writing in more than one niche you might think that I am not practicing what I’m preaching and I can understand why you could possibly think that.
For the purpose of this post the idea behind narrowing down your niche and focusing on your target audience and their specific needs are article- or post-specific in that sense. As a freelance writer, you write for different niches to different clients. Specializing is the ideal but many prefer to have at least a couple of passionate topics or niches they like to write about.
Regardless of how many niches you prefer writing for, this is your purpose, your job passion and there is nothing wrong with that. Of course there are exceptions and limits to the rule as you always need to have good knowledge of what you are writing about and when you ARE indeed passionate about a certain topic it justifies the reason to write about the topic even more so.
However…
“The key is to keep each
articlemasterpiece focused and targeted at meeting a specific need and generalizing when writing in a specific niche for that article should be avoided as far as possible.” – click to tweet
This is of course an opinion based on experience and there are no set rules according to any state law with a conviction and sentencing procedure should you not adhere to the rule opinion.
As keyword research is not within the scope of this article, I have to mention that it has been proven over and over that longtail keywords perform better than their counterparts.
NOTE: – Did you notice what I just did there in the previous paragraph? If I were to go into keyword research in that paragraph, I would have more than likely got your mind steered into the direction of another topic/niche which is exactly what you need to avoid at all costs when you have a specific Call To Action and purpose in mind for the article you’re crafting.
Why Do You Need To Aim At Keeping Things Focused?
Apart from an SEO perspective and many other reasons I can think of why it’s imperative to keep your publication focused at a specific topic or need to be more specific, as a freelance writer one of my most important reasons for the above is that I know how easily I get distracted when too many ideas or points-for-thought are provoked at he same time.
Sometimes it can take me much more time than anticipated or what it really needs to take me to finish reading a certain article or any other form of information piece. I tend to have a lot of interests in a lot of areas and when I read something I don’t fully understand but I know it interests me, it will almost haunt me if I don’t go and find out more about it immediately.
As a writer, this is exactly why you need to avoid trying to squeeze too many thoughts into one article. There is a saying which I keep reminding myself of whenever I am writing and especially when editing afterwards. I have to concentrate constantly not to fall into the same trap. It goes in the lines of the following:
“Give your readers too many options and chances are they’ll end up not making a decision between any of them when you need them to.” – click to tweet
That is simply brilliant and I know that is nothing but the truth – I am living proof of that theory.
Your Take?
As mentioned earlier, I know there are most definitely a gazillion other reasons why narrowing down your niche article, blog post, report, eBook or any other digital information topic but I would love to hear what you as fellow bloggers and possibly freelance writers do to keep things targeted and why you think it’s important.
Share your ideas with us in the comments below, will you?
As always, it’s been a pleasure to share another part of my mind with you guys; I am looking forward to writing the next part in the “Why Using Tactics As A Freelance Writer Is Important” series!
About Ruan Oosthuizen
Twitter: freedom9to5
says:
Don’t write about different niches on the same blog. This could confuse readers.
Interesting post, i learned something new.
avin recently posted..multytenne
this is great blog for blog wrriting
I had a nice time reading your blog. I totally agree with every single word you said. As for me, I tried to always put myself on my reader’s shoes. By doing so, I can figure out the exact topics to focus on, just to make sure that they can relate to the contents of my blog.
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
Glad you enjoyed it, Stacey!
All the best of success to you!
Ruan recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 3: “Taking Massive Action”
In my opinion putting yourself in the readers shoes is a MUST.
bert recently posted..Ronde tafel Business Club bijeenkomsten Arnhem/Nijmegen
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
I completely agree! It’s all about them anyway. One doesn’t write for yourself but for your audience. There simply is no better way to resonate with your audience than putting yourself in their shoes and writing to yourself.
Ruan recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 3: Taking Massive Action
I enjoyed reading this series of yours, Ruan. Great points you have made. A great learning process it was. Thanks for the share.
Kelly recently posted..Flora Letter Box
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
It was a great pleasure writing it s far, Kelly! Keep an eye out; I don’t plan on closing it off just yet! ;)
Ruan recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 3: “Taking Massive Action”
Losing focus on what to write actually makes a writer lose their niche. Great post.
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
Wow that sounds like a lot of focus got lost!
All the best!
Ruan recently posted..Freelance Blogging Strategy: Getting Freelance Blogging Gigs
Every point is really great.I totally agree your post.
Thanks for the sharing.
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
Only a pleasure Jennifer!
Ruan recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Yes it is absolutely true that freelance writers need to target audience and leaver a good impact on them with the help of their well written conent. Their writing skills are the only tool they can use to impress the readers. Their aim to male the reader stay back and read their entire post as well as like it. In such a condition, tactics and strategies are necessary to hold back the readers.
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
Hi David!
I have to say that your first two sentences make sense to me. I think being able to resonate with your target audience is the most important aspect and in a way that can be filed under “writing skills.” I don’t think it’s that simple though as many aspects can be overlooked when all are being spoken of as “writing skills.”
After reading your third sentence I am able to understand that it’s essential to engage your reader and have them interested in returning again. I think it is safe to summarize this into “engagement is what we need to keep in mind when writing”, any content for that matter. This will encourage readers to share with others as well as have them hunger to learn more and possibly take action, which is important too.
I am not sure what you mean by “to hold back readers.” Would you like to help me understand?
Every point is one that I had not really considered,which is great…I know what its like when you have committed your self to a deadline but can’t meet it.
Rabia Akram recently posted..Firefox Beta 18 – First Look
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
That happens too sometimes, Rabia. The most important thing to keep in mind is clear communication between the person who needs to meet the deadline and the person to whom the deadline is to be met.
Humans understand as long as clear communication takes place!
All the best to you!
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Twitter: rancorinfotech
says:
Well, Everyone knows about their expertise and if you focus on them… then you can provide more quality and build your reputation.
Aasma recently posted..Paying Guest in Delhi
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
That is certainly true, Aasma. I think it’s important to focus on what you’re good at; it enables you to add passion and emotion to the mix, which are core ingredients to build trust and credibility.
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Great article Ruan! I think it is a great idea to target the specific audience.. Unless we do that the artice can go haywire!
Bina Besiege recently posted..Acceptable and profitable business models
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
I take it you mean it would be useless and worthless to anyone, right? :)
Thanks for stopping by!
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Twitter: semaglive
says:
totally agree with the content………these tactics are really impressive
hrmehrotra recently posted..BEST Cache Plugins for WordPress
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
Glad you learnt something!
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Twitter: HealthTipWealth
says:
I think strategy, not tactics, is the way to look at it. The “tactics” you have mentioned above are not really tactics but strategies that are definitely important for a freelance writer.
Steven Jude recently posted..4 Easy Health and Fitness Tips + The Threat of Spam and Basic Preventative Measures
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
That’s interesting Steven as the dictionary describes both as “a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end, result or goal.”
I’m interested to know how you see it though?
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Twitter: ashrafulayan
says:
Agreed, proper tactics is very important to become a professional freelancer. Though writing is not a easy bite, it require very neutral thoughts, grasping power and looking one thing in different prospective. It’s an art to provide pleasurable reading.
Ayan Blog recently posted..Simple Tips To Recover Your Stolen Android Phone
Twitter: FreeBlogginLife
says:
The good thing and what I like about being a freelance writer is, you get better with practice and you don’t need to be a professional when you start. Basic writing skills, a positive attitude and willingness to learn is all it takes to get started. Action and implementing what you learn should be added of course.
I do agree it’s not easy. It takes hard work. There are many myths that suggest you can write what you like. You can, but that’s what separates a professional writer from a beginner. Research plays a massive role in any publication being a success or not. That’s non-fiction writing of course.
I feel I have to give you a tip and please don’t take offense, I’m just trying to help – If you’re looking to learn and become better at what you do, you might start by looking at improving your tagline of your blog. It’s not encouraging at all and I simply did not have any interest in reading another line after that. I did though as I was trying hard to see anything that will change my first impression.
Your tagline IS your first impression :)
Keep it up, all the best and learn as much as you can!
Ruan Oosthuizen recently posted..Case Study | The Birth Of A Freelance Blogger – Chapter 1 Part 1: “Fertilization”
Twitter: ashrafulayan
says:
Woow!
Well I like what you said, actually i’m thankful to you that you suggested a real good tip, something that I never thought about. It’s worth commenting in your blog.
Thanks dude :)
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