How to Pursue a Specialty Magazine Market

Many freelance writers choose to pursue a specialty magazine market, which may make finding potential markets more difficult but can also increase your chances of being published. Claiming a freelance writing niche allows you to establish your expertise in a specific area, thereby increasing the value of your work. This doesn't mean that you can't write for other magazine markets, but your primary focus would be on the specialty magazine market.

The first thing you should know about specialty magazines is that they are looking for writers who are experts, and not the other way around. Many professionals fancy themselves writers because they can string together a few sentences about what they do, but it takes more than that to be published in a magazine. If you are a writer who happens to be an expert in a particular area, then you've got what it takes to develop a freelance writing niche.

Your first goal should be to establish yourself as a writer, which means getting published anywhere possible. Some people believe that getting published on the Internet has no bearing on the print world, but this isn't the case. The lines are already beginning to blur as many print publications find it cost-effective to switch to electronic publication exclusively. The Internet is a freelance writer's most valuable tool because you can use it to further your career in a myriad of ways.

The best thing you can do is find websites on the Internet that will publish your work. This doesn't mean you should submit to just any old site -- there are plenty of electronic publications that can hurt your career rather than help it -- but you should look for Internet resources because you can be published faster than if you were to pursue only print publications.