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Breaking Into Writing: A Guide To Career Transition For Creative Niche Writers In India

Last updated on May 7, 2023

The creative world of writing has a lot to offer those who aspire to enter into this fulfilling career. However, the transition from being a content consumer to a content creator can be intimidating and sometimes overwhelming. To make the transition easier for aspiring writers in India, this blog is created to provide an insight into the process of breaking into the writing world, discussing salary expectations and sharing some real-life stories of people who have successfully switched to this profession.

Understanding The Writing Career

Writing is an ever-evolving profession that demands creativity and consistency. Job prospects for writers can vary from authoring books to writing for blogs, magazines and other online publications. Job roles such as script writing, technical writing, and content writing are some of the options available to a career switcher in the writing domain. As a writer, one can choose to work as a freelancer, full-time writer or take up part-time writing gigs. Writing pays well, with entry-level salaries starting at around ₹20,000 per month and the highest earners bringing in ₹70,000 or more each month.

Common Challenges of Career Transition

Switching careers is no easy feat and is often a daunting prospect. One has to face the reality of leaving their comfortable zone and adjusting to an entirely new job which comes with its own unique set of challenges. writers who start as freelancers have to put in extra effort and establish credibility before developing a steady stream of income. Others may find getting an entry-level job daunting due to the competition.

Stories of Successful Transitions

Hard work and consistent effort can help you push through tough times. Pranay Viswanathan, for instance, was a copywriter who managed to establish alliances with three major publications in India even before he graduated from college. Similarly, journalist and travel writer Anu Shivaiah, faced several rejections when starting her career and stuck to being freelance even in the face of unprofessional emails and unpaid invoices. But she never gave up and moved on to be the associate editor of an online magazine called The Caravan.

Tips To Make the Transition

You don't need to know everything there is to know before you kickstart your writing journey. Here are some tips to help you make your transition smoother:

Start writing - Generate content to build your portfolio. Also, equip yourself with writing skills by taking courses, reading blogs and connecting with other writers.
Know your ideal reader - Understand who you are writing for and create content to suit their needs and preferences.
Build strategic connections - Connect with people in different fields to get ideas and feedback for your writing.
Market yourself - Develop yourself as a brand and promote your work across various media platforms.
Organize your income - Create goals to meet your financial expectations from writing and try your best to achieve them.

Actionable Steps To Break Into Writing

Now that you are aware of the possible challenges and real-life success stories, it's time to take actionable steps:

Research your target market - Identify the content you are eager to write, find out what the writers in this niche are writing about and then draft a plan to stand out.
Identify working opportunities - Look out for opportunities to write on topics you are passionate about and make sure to optimize your resume and online portfolio.
Network and build relationships - Reach out to editors and other writers to get an understanding of the industry.
Actively market your work - Blog regularly, create an email list and share your content to increase visibility.
Don't get discouraged - Rejection is a part of the game, but remember that you have complete control over the quality of your work.

Conclusion

Breaking into writing can be an uphill task in the beginning, but it’s an incredibly rewarding profession with huge potential. Consistent efforts and the right resources can help you make the transition smoother and make a successful career out of it. Your writing skills, originality and marketing strategies can help you make a full-time living from writing and stay ahead of competition.