A Content Writer's Life: What Kind of Writer Are You?

I think one of the biggest mistakes that I've seen writers make is to not to have a definition for the type of writer that they are. For example, I am a writer. That is a very broad term, and could mean just about anything in the writing world. If I had said I am a healthcare worker, that could mean that I am anything from a Candy Stripper to a World Class Surgeon. In order for others to understand what you do, you have to be more specific. Additionally, if you are new to freelance writing, it is essential that you define - for yourself - the type of writer you are, and the field or genre of writing that you are interested in.

Here is a list of various types of writers:

Freelance Writer
Staff Writer

As you can see, there are only two types of writers. As you probably know, a freelance writer writes for various clients. They are not employees of any of these clients, and are usually paid by the job, and not by the hour. A staff writer, on the other hand, writes for one client or company. These writers are usually paid a set salary, or paid by the hour, and are rarely paid by the job or written piece. A freelancer rarely works in the clients place of business, while a staff writer will either work in the physical workplace of their employer, but may also work from their home, or at a location specific to what they are writing about for their employer.

Now, with that cleared up, what kind of writing do you, or will you, do? Here is another list:

Copywriter - A copywriter typically writes content such as sales letters, short ads, scripts for commercials, sales copy for websites or brochures, and things of this nature. They may be freelancers or staff writers.
Journalist - A journalist usually writes about current events or less current events for periodicals. There are many different types of journalism, such as investigative journalism. Sports writers, who only write about sports, are also journalists. Journalists may be freelance writers or staff writers.
Academic Writer - Academic writers are rather hard to explain. These writers are usually already employed or studying in a specific academic field, such as science or a subset of science, and the writing that they do relates to the field that they work or study in. They are, for all intents and purposes, freelance writers, but they rarely write for money. Getting published is important to them, as their future in their chosen field depends on it.
Columnists - Columnists are another tricky breed to explain. They may write about one specific topic, or many topics in one field, or a variety of topics in a variety of field. They may write facts or opinions. They usually write for periodicals, such as newspapers, but may also write for online magazines. They may be staff writers or freelance writers.
Ghostwriter - A ghostwriter is almost always a freelance writer. They may fall into many fields of writing as well. The main thing that sets a ghostwriter apart from other types of writers is the fact that they do not get credit for the work. They get paid for it, but they do not get a byline or any other credit. Instead, they are paid to write something, and another person gets the recognition for the work. The ghostwriter goes into the assignment or job knowing this is to be the case.
Grant Writer - Grant writers are typically freelance writers, but they could be staff writers as well. They are typically employed or contracted by universities, non-profits, research labs, and things of this nature for the purpose of writing grant applications for government grant money.
Novelists - Novelists are also called authors, but not all authors are novelists. They usually write fiction, and their work is almost always found in the form of a book. These days, that could include an electronic book. Novelists are freelance writers, and there are many different types of novelists, based on the types of fiction that they write. One example of this is a romance novelist.
Play Writers - Also known as play-writes, these writers write scripts for plays or theater productions. They are freelance writers in almost all cases, and they typically only get paid for their work in the form of royalties.
Screen Writers - Screen Writers write scripts for television and movies. They can be staff writers or freelance writers, and they may work in groups with other writers for one television show.
Speech Writers - As the name indicates, these writers are in the business of writing speeches. Those speeches are written for other people to deliver. They may be freelance writers, but they usually work for just one client, or at the very least, one client at a time. Most politicians or those running for public office have a speech writer on staff.
Technical Writers - Technical writers write things such as manuals for products. They may also write documentation for products that are being developed, as the product is being developed. They may be staff writers or freelance writers.
Content Writers - Content writers write content on a wide range of topics or on a very specific topic. They may be staff writers or freelance writers. I am a content writer. Additionally, since I write content that is meant for use on the Internet, I am known as a web content writer. Some may even refer to me as a SEO Writer, or Search Engine Optimization Writer, meaning that I write content that contains keywords used in a certain way, not only for the purpose of engaging and informing the reader, but also for the purpose of getting the search engines to rank the web page higher in search results when that keyword is searched for. Content writers may also be staff writers for print magazines.
Business Writers - Business writers write about business. They may write about a specific aspect of business, or about a specific industry. Typically, they must have vast knowledge and personal experience in business. They may be staff writers or freelance writers.
Game Writers - Game writers are a relatively new breed of writers. These writers write story lines for video games such as role playing games.
Poets - Poets, of course, write poetry. They are freelance writers in most cases, but may also be staff writers for greeting card companies.
Resume Writers - As the name indicates, these writers specialize in writing Resumes for other people. They may be staff writers or freelance writers, and they usually have copywriting skills as well.
Reviewer - These writers write reviews, and little else. They also specialize within their field. For example, a food critique is a reviewer. After they have eaten at a restaurant, they write about their experience with the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant. A reviewer can be a staff writer or a freelance writer.