These notes should help you think about where ‘your specialism’ lies, help you generate feature ideas and understand that even the most complex subject can make a compelling article.
Your interest could be one of many subjects: Politics – economics – ecology – energy – medicine – or promoting your business. It could also be: Travel – food – family – people profiles – motoring – leisure – technology – theatre – film – books – gardening – nature – mind and body – beauty and health – property – the list is endless.
You may be an expert in a certain subject.
You may be an undergraduate in, or lecturing on, War Studies.
Given your understanding of the cataclysmic situation in the Middle East you may be moved to write on the price of military force and the R2P – or ‘responsibility to protect’.
A 750 word to 1,000 word article giving background detail of nations’ responsibility to protect civilians with the choices facing governments past and present – would make interesting, moving, timely, and informative reading.
How do you get a technical subject into mainstream media and convey the complexity and nuances of your research in a few paragraphs?
Perhaps you lecture on climate change or nanotechnology. How do you get a technical subject into mainstream media and convey the complexity and nuances of your research in a comparatively few paragraphs?
You may be a solicitor wanting to produce some literature to help clients understand various legal situations. You may want to pull together a website to help new solicitors gain greater understanding of your business.
Simply, you will need to know how to write in ‘layman’s’ language. This doesn’t mean dumbing down your subject. But it does mean making your subject ‘accessible’ to those who do not have your level of knowledge or understanding. Lapwing Media can show you how.
However, most people are not experts. But, they do have interests.
Take this as an example:
You may have four children, but this doesn’t make you an expert in child rearing. However, children’s health, feeding, welfare, school etc may be a major interest of yours. You, therefore, certainly have an advantage when it comes to writing about family matters. You may want to write an article for a print publication, a website or your own blog.
And given your own involvement with all matters to do with family life, you will certainly know what questions you are interested in – and more than likely, what will interest other people (your readers).
So when it comes to interviewing experts in that field, you will know the questions which will interest other parents. Again Lapwing Media can help get your started, either on these pages or by contacting us.
Very few freelance writers write on every subject. Most have developed a specialism in an area – or a range of linked specialisms (eg. health and well being, fitness, running, yoga, mindfulness, healthy eating and mental health). You may fall into that group too. You may have a particular hobby (golf, surfing, sailing, computer games, horse riding) or a talent (singing, piano playing, drawing), or interest (art, photography, astronomy, walking, classic cars, reading, gardening).
They might seem ordinary to you – but it is more than likely you know more about your ‘interest’ than your neighbour or your colleague at work.
You know the language, you can talk the talk, you can visualise what you are talking about, you can talk to others with authority and confidence.
If you can do all that, then your interest is a good place to start making it your specialism.
There is no ‘right way’ to write a feature or article. The sole constraint is to write in the way that’s right for the publication and its readers. (See the Related Reads we offer on this site).
Features can be entertaining, perceptive, investigative, counselling, inspiring and informative.
If you have a particular interest – then you can indulge your enthusiasm for it in feature writing.
If you are running a business, you can use your knowledge and expertise to create awareness, promote your product and stimulate interest and debate.
If you are an academic or ‘expert’ in a subject, you can write for mainstream media. A few simple tips such as structure and knowing your audience will see you in print.
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