Just Us Nerds

The wonderful thing about being a freelance writer is that it provides you with endless opportunities to learn and grow. When you get bored with the subjects you have been writing about, you can move on to brand new topics. You can even embrace subjects that interest you but which you haven’t really learned too much about yet. If you have passion, you can learn. If you want to learn, you can become knowledgeable in almost any topic.

The process of learning a new subject

There are five steps to learning a new subject as a writer. These steps are really a continuum. Once you get through step five, it is a good idea to go back to step one and reinforce everything you have done.

Learn the basics

The first step is to read about the basics of the subject. This can be done online or using an introductory book. You want to get familiar with the topic and the terminology.

Find out the latest developments

The second step is to become familiar with new developments related to the subject. This can be done by setting up online news feeds, reading the latest magazines and subscribing to relevant blogs.

Practice what you know

The third step is to practice what you know. For example, if you want to write about training dogs, then you really need to try to train a dog. You learn by doing.

Meet people with similar interests

The fourth step is to make connections. Find people with similar interest. It is especially helpful to find groups in your area so that you can meet people face to face and form lasting connections. This can also be done online by commenting on blogs, contributing to forums, and joining online groups.

Write about what you know

The fifth step is to start writing about the subject. This is the part that you have been hoping to get to all along. Even when you are doing the other steps, take notes and express your thoughts. It is a good idea to create a learning journal. You might also start by blogging about the learning process. This can be the beginning of getting your name out there. Eventually you will want to write articles for trade magazines and other potential paying markets.