Writing can do things no other creative art can. With simple marks on a page/screen, it can move a reader, excite them, paint a picture in their imagination, and make them want to turn the page. Working in writing means that you wield that power. And there are a lot of different ways you can do so. Here are seven careers in writing to get your creative cogs in motion.

#1 Content writer

The goal of a content writer is to entertain, instruct, inform or educate a reader (or all of the above). That typically means stretching your creative muscles out over longer-form content. Think articles, blog posts, newsletters, reports and even eBooks. So, rather than explicitly selling products or services, you’re sharing information that engages your audience and, hopefully, keeps them coming back to your content and eventually hitting the ‘Buy’ button. These days, the majority of copywriting is done online. So you’ll need a good grasp of SEO (search engine optimisation) to ensure readers find your writing. Plus, you’ll keep across the trends in digital content to ensure your words get the eyeballs they deserve.

#2 Copywriter

If a content writer is all about informing a reader, a copywriter is focused on persuading them. Content writing focuses on selling a brand or organisation to its target audience. That means you’ll be writing ads – for both off- and online channels – crafting compelling slogans and taglines, and honing website landing pages so they compel users to take the next step in their purchasing journey. Typically, you’ll work on shorter-form content than, say, a content writer. However, you would still apply the principles of great writing, top-notch editing, audience analysis and, increasingly, the ins and outs of SEO.

#3 Grant writer

Grant writers are also in the persuasion game. But in this case, it’s not customers they’re seeking to influence, but the people holding the purse strings. So as a grant writer, you’ll use your content crafting skills to secure project funding. These could be research projects, not-for-profits or even government initiatives. You’ll create a compelling case for why someone should invest in a project. Often working to tight deadlines, you’ll also need to be across potential sources of funding, the details of the project you are ‘selling’ and the benefits investors could see. As a grant writer, you can help make important things happen.

#4 Content strategist

You can think of a content strategist as the person who creates the blueprint for content writers to work from. It’s about planning: how content is created, delivered, governed and measured for effectiveness. Consider a content strategy as the roadmap for crafting content to help a business or organisation meet its goals. Whether that’s a business marketing their services to attract customers, a not-for-profit seeking to get people to donate, or a government agency keen to ensure citizens are informed about their initiatives – content strategy is key.

#5 Technical writer

If you are a writer who loves to wrangle, take complex information and make it clear, concise and user-friendly, then technical writing could well be for you. At its core, technical writing is one of the careers in writing that focuses on explaining how processes, products and services work. So people can use them. Whether it’s documentation about the software a company has just bought, a user manual for a gadget, a corporate style guide, the details about how a vehicle works – or indeed, any other form of instruction (putting an IKEA wardrobe together, anyone?) – technical writers help make things easier. Help people make things work.

#6 Script writer

If narrative is more up your street, how about becoming a scriptwriter? You could work in television, film or theatre. Whichever type of story you want to bring to life, you’ll use your scriptwriting skills to captivate audiences. From Hollywood blockbusters to the next episode of your favourite soap, scriptwriters work to weave narratives together, create compelling dialogue and craft characters who might elicit sympathy, terror or admiration. So scriptwriting is about combining the elements of narrative in a way to move an audience – and that’s powerful stuff.

#7 UX writer

Think about when you interact with a digital product. Whether it’s talking to Alexa, using a banking app or communicating with a chatbot – in all those interactions you are engaging with UX (user experience) writing. This is the copy that helps people use a product. It’s all about crafting clear, concise and user-friendly content for digital interfaces. As a UX writer, you’ll play a crucial role in the success of these digital products. It really focuses on how you can finesse words to make things as easy as possible for your reader. Add in user research, data analytics and design theory, and you’re in a pretty sweet spot at the cutting edge of tech writing.

A few extra ideas

These seven career paths just scratch the surface of what you would do when you turn your love of words into a career. You could also consider becoming a…

• Speech writer – Craft speeches for politicians, executives and other public figures.
• Academic writer – Uncover new ways of reading texts.
• Social media manager – Write short form to engage your audience.
• Ghostwriter – Help people tell their stories.
• Journalist – Write news articles, features and reports.

Buzzed about careers in writing?

Whichever of the many careers in writing you want to wield your pen/typewriter/laptop in, getting a degree is the best way to put yourself on the career track you want. Take Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Communication.¹ Not only does it give you all the fundamentals you need for a writing career, but you can also major in a particular area that ignites your passion: design and content creation, news and media or strategic communication.

¹Cricos: 0101020