Much like any industry, finding your niche in copywriting is as essential as the quality of work you deliver and the connections you have. It can be easy to think of content creation and copywriting as one giant, umbrella job. But when you get down to the smaller details, there are hundreds – maybe even thousands – of copywriting niches to choose from out there. But which one is right for you?
We help clarify some of the best copywriting niches in the market today, take a closer look at what a copywriting niche is, and give you the tools for content creation success. Sounds good? Read on to find out more.
What is a copywriting niche?
According to the American Writers & Artists Institute, "A copywriting niche refers to any specific industry or market that you specialize in writing for." In the simplest of terms, a copywriting niche is a specialisation.
Much like you may prefer fantasy books or science fiction, your copywriting niche reflects what you enjoy doing – as well as what you’re best at. Perhaps you’re exceptionally skilled at writing travel content. Maybe you’re amazing at writing for beauty and makeup companies, or perhaps you do your best work for technical, engineering-focused industries. Your niche isn’t exhaustive, and it isn’t all you can do, but it can give your copywriting career a little more structure as you grow and develop.
A niche doesn’t have to be an industry – as Jacob McMillen notes, content is made up of dozens of different forms. Your niche could be creating posts for social media, for example, or producing product descriptions. You could specialise in blog posts or be the go-to person for SEO-focused website copy.
A niche is exactly what you make of it, and by choosing your niche, you’re better equipped to succeed in the world of copywriting.
What kind of copywriting niches are there?
There are hundreds of different copywriting and content creation niches out there, but here are just a few to give you a taste for what to expect:
SEO writing
One of the most common forms of online copywriting, SEO writing as a niche offers countless opportunities across numerous industries and sectors. Any market that sells online promotes their business digitally or wants to climb search engine rankings will have use for an SEO copywriter.
You’ll need skills in SEO, user experience and keyword analysis and research to succeed in an SEO writing career. Still, with so many different industries to try and specific niches to fill, there’s plenty on offer for the average copywriter.
Digital marketing
From social media to email marketing to creating meta descriptions, digital marketing is another copywriting niche that encompasses a wide range of skills and fields. Content writing for digital marketing requires a strong understanding of sales and brand marketing – so if that’s something you enjoy, this niche might be an excellent fit for you.
Even better, digital marketing is so diverse that you can specialise in your niche even further. Maybe you particularly enjoy creating social media advertising posts, or you love creating email content to market brands. Build a customer base for specific digital marketing work you enjoy, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities for success.
Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting is a popular kind of copywriting that’s often overlooked. Requiring the ability to write to a specific tone of voice, ghostwriting also covers a range of different categories. You could ghostwrite a whole book, for example, or a blog post under that individual’s name. You could create letters or emails acting as a ghostwriter for an executive or professional, or provide creative ghostwriting for biographies and novels.
Ghostwriting is a profitable and exciting kind of copywriting if you have the connections and experience to access this field. This type of writing is an excellent option for those who prefer long-form content over shorter posts and articles and can sometimes provide more creative outlets.
Blog and magazine articles
Magazine and blog article content is a popular option for many copywriters searching for a specific niche. Whether it’s creating reviews for a popular website or writing articles for use in physical or digital magazines, this copywriting is an excellent fit for anyone interested in journalism-style writing and content creation.
Experience and skill in writing to a specific audience are vital for success as a blog and magazine copywriter. While it may be tougher to get into writing for magazine and popular blogs in the first place, it’s often well-worth the up-front effort to be able to work in this specific niche.
Technical and legal writing
While there are many, many more types of copywriting niches to go into, the last one we’ll feature here is legal and technical writing. If you’re not interested in creative content or writing focused on marketing and SEO, technical and legal copywriting may suit you perfectly. Even better if you have a background in a specific sector.
This kind of content requires an analytical mind, the ability to write about complex subjects and the capability to produce high-level content that’s both accurate and thorough. From white papers to legal guidelines, you might enjoy technical copywriting if you like things black and white.
Top trending areas in copywriting
Once you know what type of copywriting niche you enjoy, the next step is picking the industry that suits you the best. Maybe you have already amassed years of experience working in an industry or sector. But if you’re looking to branch out or capitalise on rising demand, here are just some of the current top trending areas for copywriting you might want to consider looking into:
- Thought leadership and long-form content
- SaaS (software as a service) and digital tech
- Cryptocurrency
- Pet care and wellbeing
- Amazon A+ content
- Mental wellness & self-improvement
- Alternative health/CBD
- Sustainability & eco-friendliness
- Food trends like veganism and raw diets
- Online gaming/casino reviews
- Challenger banking
- Automated email marketing
- Small business/subscription model eCommerce
With thousands of different niche markets out there, finding something you love is easier than you might think.
Because the economic landscape is changing all the time, but especially amidst a shift to ecommerce in light of the pandemic, new sectors and niches are emerging all the time. One good way to stay on top of potential new niches is to check in with business news regularly and explore the latest developments in your industry.
How do I choose my copywriting niche?
So, how do you decide which kind of copywriting is best for you? The best place to start is by asking these three questions:
- What do I like writing?
- What experience do I have?
- Where am I most skilled?
Your responses will help you to find a niche that works for you. Ideally, you want to specialise in something that you have experience in, are skilled at, and enjoy. With that trinity in place, you stand a far better chance at success.
Loving the content you create is a fantastic place to start, and you can pick up skills and improve your knowledge over time as you grow into your specific niche.
How to succeed in your copywriting niche
If you want to succeed in copywriting going all-in for a niche that you’re great at is a fantastic place to start. Instead of overwhelming yourself with hundreds of possibilities, homing in on what you’re great at can be rewarding, enjoyable and profitable in the long term.
Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond to become the best copywriter in your field – every great journey starts with the first step.
Main image: Art Rachen
Embedded images: Sigmund, Campaign Creators, PIRO4D