Picking a niche is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a freelance writer. There’s no such thing as “get rich quick” in this line of work. But working in the right niche feels pretty damn close. Choosing a freelance writing niche isn’t black and white—and chances are, your first niche won’t be your last. Making a mistake when niching down can open doors down the road, or it can keep you stuck in a loop of underpaid, uninspired work. So before you go through the latter, let’s talk about five of the biggest niche-related mistakes writers make (and how you can avoid them). Mistake #1: Chasing a Niche Solely Based on Income PotentialI can’t blame you for getting starry-eyed at the prospect of making $1.00+ per word as a medical writer or landing a four-figure retainer as a fintech ghostwriter. You should choose a niche where clients are willing and able to pay for your work. But choosing a niche just because it’s lucrative is a fast-track to burnout. Clients in high-paying niches expect a lot. If you aren’t genuinely curious about the space, you’ll struggle to keep up. Worse, you’ll start dreading your work. That resentment will show up in your writing, and eventually, your client relationships. ✅ Miss the Mistake: If you’re in a niche you chose only for the money, revisit your last five paid assignments. For each one, rate how much you enjoyed the work on a scale of 1–10. If your average score is under 6, pick a topic you’ve always been curious about and write a short sample piece on it. Use that piece to test the waters and start looking for clients in a niche more aligned with your interests. Mistake #2: Skipping the Market ResearchFalling in love with an idea is one thing. Building a sustainable freelance career from it is another. You might love writing about indie publishing, historical fiction, or vegan dog food, but if no one is hiring for it, you’ll be spinning your wheels. Too many writers choose a niche based on passion without asking the critical question: Is there a market for this? While it’s great to follow your interests, it’s even better to back them up with data. Are businesses actively hiring freelancers in the space? Are they paying reasonable rates? Is there recurring demand or just seasonal work? ✅ Miss the Mistake: Before you commit to a niche, check out the 2025 State of Freelance Writing report. It has the data-backed insights and in-depth market analysis you need to make an informed decision. Mistake #3: Ignoring Your Own ExperienceSome of the best niches are hiding in plain sight. Yet, many writers don’t think about them when niche hunting because they ignore their own lived experiences. Were you a nurse before you started freelancing (*raises hand*)? There’s a massive demand for authoritative healthcare writers. Did you manage social media for an environmental non-profit? Boom. You’ve got marketing experience and sector insight. Don’t start from scratch. Leaning into the knowledge you already have will let you establish expertise in your niche (and expertise = money). ✅ Miss the Mistake: Reflect on the last 2-3 jobs you’ve had. Then consider how each one connects to industries that hire writers (think: health, HR, SaaS, education, etc.). Choose one connection and pitch a client in that space this week, highlighting your previous experience. Mistake #4: Getting Too Specific Too SoonIf you know me, you know I’m all about specialization. But some writers try to narrow their niche so much they end up with a client pool the size of a puzzle. “I write email sequences for AI-first, seed-stage CRM startups in the medical supply industry.” That’s great if you’re in a full time role for one of those companies. If you’re looking for freelance gigs, you’ll find the market for that work usually just isn’t big enough. If you’re early in your career, niching too far too soon can cut you off from opportunities before you know what actually works for you. It’s okay to test different directions. Take that job about bathroom architecture even if your main focus is personal finance. You never know what might catch your interest or lead to more opportunities in the future. ✅ Miss the Mistake: If you don’t already have a specialty, create a “niche sandbox.” Choose a handful of broad content areas you’re curious about. Then, aim to complete at least one paid project in each of them over the next three months. Let your results, not your assumptions, guide your final choice. Mistake #5: Staying in a Niche That No Longer Serves YouSometimes the niche that worked at first doesn’t anymore. Maybe it’s no longer profitable. Maybe the audience or industry has shifted. Or maybe… you’ve just outgrown it. That’s okay. Niches aren’t tattoos (I would know 😉). You’re allowed to change as you and your goals evolve. Boxing yourself into a niche that no longer serves you does more harm than good. Don’t be afraid to pivot. ✅ Miss the Mistake: Honesty is key here. Once or twice a year, sit down and do some self reflection. Are you excited about your niche? Is it profitable? If your gut says it’s time for a change, trust it. Trust the ProcessThe right niche is a foundation for a successful, sustainable writing career. It gives you clarity, confidence, and a stronger pitch every time you reach out to a potential client. Just remember, your niche should work for you. And if you’ve made one (or all) of these mistakes… it’s okay! You aren’t behind. You’re just finding your path. If you need some help finding the right niche, my free course Niche to Rich is open now. In one hour, you’ll walk away with a profitable freelance writing niche tailored to your skills and market demand. Click here to learn more. Cody’s Top PicksThis is the part where I share some of the content I’ve been enjoying lately. Hope you enjoy! (This section may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small percentage, which helps support this free newsletter at no extra cost to you.)
“Mistakes are the stairs we climb to reach success.” — Tim Fargo, Entrepreneur
💼 Jobs for Writers1️⃣ Bridget Olson from Allrecipes.com is looking for writers to contribute recipe articles for “Midwest Salad Week.”
2️⃣ VegNews is open to freelance pitches for plant-based lifestyle articles.
3️⃣ SlashGear is looking for freelance automotive writers to write news and evergreen content.
4️⃣ Outkick.com (Fox) is looking for a freelance writer to create sports, news, and pop culture stories.
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What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
(Guest Post from Stephanie Mickelson): In Cody’s April 2 newsletter, he talked about the fact that freelance writing can be
