How I Used Scripted to Discover My Niche
I always wanted to be a writer (and ultimately an author). It’s just one of those things that you know since childhood. Language resonated well with me during my earliest years. Expressing opinions, spreading information, and entertaining with words - well, these bring me genuine joy. However, with all cotton candy, bubblegum, and rainbows aside - it’s a challenge to write professionally.
For years, I wrote to an audience of one - myself. I filled my journals with fancy ideas, concepts, and reflections that never see the light of day. My wife constantly pushed me to make the best out of my talents, to embrace my calling and passion. But I kept telling her that passion doesn’t pay for most people. Specifically, I believed it’s just something you do for fun after a busy day of obligation at the office.
But the longer I kept up with the mundane routine, the more frustrated I felt. It’s like living a lie every day in my professional life. My performance started to slip at the workplace, and it’s like the lights gradually came on upstairs. I decided to take a leap of faith, to write professionally and see where that took me.
Professional Writing is a Bumpy Ride
Shortly after leaving my full-time job, I got straight down to writing. It was liberating, and anybody who saw me then would have compared me to a caged animal freed. I wrote religiously, for everyone and anyone - primarily for immediate contacts (i.e., friends with businesses and near non-existent budgets). It was satisfying for a while until I realized that the bills weren’t going to pay themselves.
So, I started to look for paid writing opportunities. First, I began to charge the regulars I partnered with for free (it was quite an awkward transition). Then I started to try hot and cold pitches to companies/brands I found online. I’d send dozens of emails (or 100s on some days) pitching a project. As you might guess, I experienced a dismal response - since most companies/brands either had an in-house writer or did not actively seek site content.
Desperate, I decided to try a few writer mills and checked out some free job boards. While those options did break the dry spell, they were either paying a mere pittance or featured flaky clients who mastered the legendary vanishing act. But still, I took on as many jobs as I could to refine my writing skills - I felt it was a great test of my endurance and passion as a writer.
However, I’d be outrightly lying if I said that the process didn’t erode my morale. Some days, it felt so bad that I regretted pursuing my passion. And let’s not forget the occasional disembodied and slightly sarcastic voice in my head that went, “told you so!” worsened the process by manifolds.
I was about to throw in the towel, perhaps look for a full-time job and make writing a side stint. It was a painful realization, but I needed to take the practical path for myself and my family. I remember staring at the words I was typing for a writer mill project. It felt like grunt work - I provided top-quality (and my precious time) at a few dollars - hardly enough to buy a bagel. And the person in charge of the writer mill wasn’t exactly polite.
So I thought, “what am I doing as a writer?” While I was submitting a flood of CVs, I stumbled upon the Scripted platform. And at the time, since I had nothing to lose, I applied as a writer. Let’s just say that it turned my narrative around.
The Scripted Process
I won’t lie; I was hesitant at the beginning. I’d been "burned" so many times by so-called writing opportunities that by the time Scripted appeared, I had the jitters. Imagine a gazillion application steps and tedious processes only to receive low-quality writing jobs - I was not about to have any more of that vicious cycle.
However, the first thing that changed my perspective was the Scripted application process. I took a language proficiency test and had to wait for the results. It was all there was to it. In the past, I’d have to submit an original writing sample to prove my worth before qualifying for jobs on a platform. Then I never hear from those sites/clients again.
On a side note, if you are a new writer or wish to begin a writing career - NEVER submit a free unpublished writing sample, no matter how trustworthy a site seems. Newcomers get exploited all the time - just check the writing forums, and you’ll see an insidious pattern.
So I waited, and within a few months, I received news of being selected as a writer!
Every Writer Needs a Niche
Scripted is a highly intuitive platform that simplifies the whole process for a writer - no kidding. But specifically, it enabled me to discover my niche. I always believed that every writer should have a niche or topic specialization, but freelance writers often face a catch-22 problem.
Specifically, you’ll need experience in a specific subject to gain your client’s trust, while you’ll need clients to hire you to build that said experience. It’s a highly frustrating process that Scripted can help resolve.
When I first started on the Scripted platform, I was a generalist still searching for my niche. I had little luck securing projects with companies/brands seeking writers with many years of relevant experience. They would often pass on my application without giving it a second thought or offer me a chance to prove my technical skills.
So for the longest time, I worked exclusively with clients who sought general content. The process severely restricted my growth as a writer. A specialized writer opens doors to more opportunities in the long term, providing reliable and exclusive content in a market saturated with generalists.
While everybody needs to start somewhere, Scripted provides an excellent launch pad for specialized writing. Many quality clients use the Scripted platform, who are willing to give first-timers a chance to prove their mettle. And when you do a great job, leaving a superb impression, you can conveniently expand your Scripted portfolio to discover and develop your niche.
One of my first successful Scripted projects involved a client who dealt with educational software. I remember submitting the proposal with little confidence in being chosen since IT wasn’t my strong suit, and I believed there were many more qualified freelance writers on the platform. But I bit the bullet, and the client chose me out of all the candidates!
With the golden opportunity, I gave my 150%, and the client absolutely loved the results! He was so pleased that he went on to invite me for a chain of projects. From that chance encounter, I discovered that I had a knack for IT, and the more I wrote, the better I got.
Scripted had essentially provided the spark that lit a flame!
It’s a Great Journey for Writers
Scripted has opened many doors for my career as a writer, and I’ve discovered multiple niches since I began. Each day on the platform presents unique opportunities to hone my standard writing skills while developing my specialized subjects. I’ve met countless wonderful clients over the last two years, and it’s been a highly fulfilling process!
It was pure serendipity for me to discover the platform while I stood at my lowest as a writer. The priceless lessons and collaborations have improved my writing skills and pitching strategies as a whole. If you wish to realize your passion as a professional freelance writer, Scripted is the one big step you shouldn’t miss.
Join Scripted as a writer today to discover and thrive in your specialty as a wordsmith!
Scripted Writer Laurenzo Overee
