Finding a New Freelance Writing Niche: When and How to Switch

Publication Date

July 12, 2022

Summary

So how do you know when it’s the right time to pivot? Here’s how to tell — plus how to find your next niche without starting over from scratch.

4 Signs It’s Time to Pivot Your Freelance Writing Niche

1. You Don’t Like Your Niche

If you don’t like your niche — pivot!

It doesn’t matter if it makes you money or not. If you’re not excited by what you’re writing, it’s going to be tough to stay motivated long-term. I’ve seen so many writers stick with a “safe” niche because they think it’s more profitable — only to burn out fast.

That said, for brand new freelancers, focusing intensely on one niche for the first 6–12 months is smart. It gives you time to network, test your rates, build a portfolio, and learn how to get clients.

But if you’ve given it time and you’re miserable? Start pivoting now! (Keep reading for how to do it.)

2. You’ve Pitched for 3+ Months With No Clients

No clients after a week? Normal.

No clients after three months of full effort? It might be time to reconsider.

Full effort =

Sending 10+ pitches per week
Following up 2+ times on each pitch
Sharing your work on social media
Polishing your portfolio
Exploring every angle for clients in your niche

If you’ve done all that for 3+ months and you’re still hearing crickets? A pivot could open new doors.

3. Your Rates Are “Too High” for 5+ Clients

If multiple prospects say your rates are out of budget, it’s worth paying attention.

Example: After three years writing for coding bootcamps, my prices outgrew their budgets. So I pivoted:

I now pitch SaaS companies for content writing
I offer multi-service packages for outdoor brands
I still do copywriting for coding bootcamps, but only at rates that match my value

When clients say “You’re too expensive,” find a niche (or a niche adjacent) that can afford you.

4. You’ve Tried Niche-Adjacent Clients

Niche-adjacent means finding an intersection between your current niche and something new.

For example:

B2C hotel writer → B2B hospitality tech writer
Coffee shop writer → Espresso machine brands or roasters
Fitness writer → Women’s mental health apps

When you find that sweet spot, you can charge more and keep using the credibility you’ve built so far.

Try This: How to Pivot Your Niche

Ready to pivot? Start with Niche-Adjacent Opportunities.

Step 1: Pick two niches — the one you’re in and the one you want.

Step 2: Find where they overlap.

Example:

👉 You write for SaaS companies but love the outdoor industry. Turns out, there are lots of outdoor SaaS brands:

FarOut Guides (Guthook)
Safety apps (Noonlight, Flare)
Strava, AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Garmin, CalTopo, Spot
The Dyrt (camp finder)
VanSpace (campervan design software)

Pitch them!

Another example:

👉 You write about fitness, but want to shift to women’s mental health. Combine them:

Calm
DownDog
Insight Timer
In The Flo
Forest Therapy
ThriveTalk

Not sure where to look? Grab the Find Your Niche workbook and use the Follow the Money exercise to spot those overlaps.

FAQ’s About Changing Your Freelance Writing Niche

When should I change my niche?

If you don’t enjoy it
If you’ve pitched hard for 3+ months with no clients
If you’re consistently priced out
If you’ve explored niche-adjacent options with no luck

How many times can I change my niche?

As many times as you need. Freelancing is flexible for a reason — you grow, your interests change, and the market evolves. I’ve done it multiple times myself.

Can I have more than one niche?

Yes! But if you’re just starting out, pick one niche for at least six months. Build relationships, get clients, and learn the ropes. Once you’re steady, you can expand.

Looking for something else?

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