What Should a Writer Do During Economic Downturns?

Introduction

Are you a writer or thinking to become one?

Then I’ve got good news for you.

Writing is a profession that offers lots of opportunities and a variety of jobs at all levels. These jobs are quite flexible, you can write for blogs, newspapers, magazines, textbooks or fiction books. Depending on the kind of writing you will do, your experience and qualifications will be different.

However, we are in the midst of an economic downturn as these lines are written. Things are not peachy for a lot of people right now, including writers. For technical writers, location is important in times like these. For those who do not live in hi-tech metropolitan areas, well-paying jobs might not be that easy to come.

Temporary Opportunities

So what should a technical writer do in-between jobs? Such temporary downtimes can actually be an excellent opportunity to work on basic skill sets and build up one’s portfolio.

For example, if you’re a beginner level tech writer I recommend you practice your indexing and TOC skills and write a great 20-page “User Guide” about a software you’re already using. If you do not have MS Office, download Open Office for free and write a sample guide about how to use the basic functions of Open Office. That way, when you go to a job interview in the future you’d have something to show as a proof of your tech writing skills.

Temporary writing jobs are a great way for aspiring freelance writers to get their foot in the door. Some of the best things about getting a temporary writing job are that you do not need to invest in expensive equipment and there is no need for your own office space.

Most people who take on a temporary writing job have no intentions of making it permanent. The company they work with usually has a set term length and they often just want someone with experience to help until they find the perfect candidate.

Some people might be hesitant to take on these jobs because they think it means that their skills aren’t good enough or that the company doesn’t think their work is worthy enough, when really, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Temporary writers play an important part in any company’s workforce and should never feel like they’re disposable.

Local Opportunities

You can also offer volunteer documentation work for your church or synagogue or house of worship, a membership club, or a sports or social organization that you belong to.

Perhaps it might be the local chapter of your party, if you are into politics?

Writers in Political Campaigns

Copywriters can get involved in political campaigns by volunteering as a writer or taking up paid positions with a campaign.

The writer’s job is to provide more than just text for a politician’s speech: they strive to capture the tone and personality of their candidate, synthesize a unique message for each venue, and craft an appropriate tone for different audiences.

There are three types of writing jobs in a political campaign which include speechwriters, press secretaries and digital communications staff.

Speechwriters craft speeches that the politician delivers at public events while press secretaries write media releases, press releases, and in some cases, media advisories.

The role of a digital communications staff member is to create content for the politician’s social media accounts and websites.

Speechwriters who worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign wrote speeches such as “The Audacity of Hope,” “A More Perfect Union,” and “Change We Can Believe In.” They included names like Dan Pfeiff er, Jon Favreau, David Litt, Peter Carlin, and Stephanie Cutter.

Start Slow

Today you can start writing Policy and Procedure Handbook for the campaign, handling their office correspondence, or writing a press release for them and doing other kinds of low-tech writing assignments.

And tomorrow? You never know…. if and when they need a full-time writer or have the budget to pay for part-time assignments, you would be the first one they would naturally consider thanks to your earlier volunteer work.

It’s important to keep networking and keep in touch with such contacts.

Education Option

If you are an experienced technical writer you can brush up on some advanced-level skills like learning XML, structured authoring and DITA. Enrolling in a graduate degree or certification program is another option to make the best of such temporary bumps on your career path.

Every writer has a different passion, need and therefore a different level of understanding. This is why there are so many different degree programs for writers.

A writing degree can help you become a more knowledgeable and experienced writer. It also teaches you how to apply the skills and knowledge you have while building your portfolio.

We all know that the time it takes to complete an undergraduate program is between four to six years; typically four to five years for an English major with a minor in another appreciable subject such as art history or business administration, but it’s not necessary if someone wants to go straight into graduate school. A graduate writing degree program will last anywhere from one to three years depending on the type of writing concentration that is being pursued.

If you are looking for a career as a writer, there are many different paths you can take. If you want to work behind the scenes and write scripts, screenplays, or novels, a degree in English Language and Writing is best suited for you. If you want to become an editor or critic, then journalism is a good option. For aspiring novelists and nonfiction writers alike, creative writing programs are available as well.