When you think of the word “finance,” what one word comes to mind? Investments? Banking? Stocks? Earnings?
The world of finance is a large and wondrous thing; it has a business side and a regular Joe-Shmoe side.
The business side of finance may focus on all of the words previously mentioned: investments, the stock market, and corporate earnings. It can also touch upon the specifics of running a business such as working capital, business expenses, and worker’s compensation. Meanwhile, the regular Joe-Shmoe side of finance may cover an individual’s personal finances: checking accounts, savings accounts, home loans, mortgage payments, and even saving money to go on a vacation.
If you are a writer interested in taking your first steps into the financial world of writing, then the one thing you need to keep in mind is that the word “finance” is a catch-all phrase for anything that involves money and investing. So for people who want to become freelance finance writers, each person needs to decide on what niche of the finance world they want to specialize in. Here are a few tips that can help you hone your finance writing skills:
Choose a Niche
Whether you want to be a finance writer that specializes in everything about credit cards or one who talks about stocks and bonds, choose a finance niche and become as knowledgeable as you possibly can about that topic. There are numerous resources and industry news sites where you can get knowledge about the finance world. Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters are just a few newspapers/magazines that can whet your financial appetite. Also, keep in mind that most online and offline news sources, such as CNN, have a financial section.
Get Working Knowledge
Having a finance job can be a great asset to beef up your writing portfolio. Did you once run your own business? Did you handle the company payroll at your brick-and-mortar job? Were you a credit counselor or collections agent? Did you personally have to deal with bankruptcy and all the issues that come with it?
The more knowledge and experience you have, the better your chances are in getting clients to hire your writing services. Education can help too, but isn’t required to be a finance writer.
Have an Interest in the Finance World
The absolute worst thing is to read an article that is so stuffy and dry, it brings you to tears. Sometimes, talking about finances can be like this because the material can sound very technical and complicated. For this reason, you have to have an interest in finance.
When you are interested in the topic you are writing about, it becomes enjoyable and worthwhile. You can put your particular voice and writing style into the words, engaging the readers. You can have fun talking about finances as you educate people on the topic.
Michelle H is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
