Being a Contributing Writer Vs Reviewer/Editor

A contributing writer is a writer who does not work normally work or write for a publication but contributes for a specific topic or series. A freelance writer is also called a contributing writer.

A freelance writer, in some cases, are better than being tied down as a Reviewer or Editor especially in the video game industry for a particular website. Recently, I found myself exploring the possibilities of being a freelance writer by accepting positions as a contributing writer. I would be contributing news articles on certain topics and series rather than reviewing games and writing about it.

Reviewing games on a timely basis can get real stressful and take up lots of time.This is why it’s important for me to pick and choose which games I want to review for my mission. These days there’s so many gaming blogs/websites that it’s hard to find very good quality. You don’t want to choose a website that will get lost in the shuffle because of its recycled content. Therefore the only site it has going for it are it’s featured articles and perhaps its quick posted news on certain subjects.

Contributing definitely has its perks. You’ll gain experience, knowledge, networking contacts, and better writing techniques. Contributing on blogs or websites about a specific topic can really spice things up. For example, one of my blogs shares insights on how sexuality can influence video games and vice versa. I have one contributor on the team for a specific series. If contributors focus on that main topic than more visitors have something to look forward to as you don’t see much of that point of view anywhere else.

Also, reviewing games can be a challenge. You’ll have to review games you might not even like if you were to write for a publication. At least being a freelancer, you have more freedom and contribute what you can. Contributing can have its cons too. Let’s say a site is only about a specific topic(s) and there’s more than one writer. It will be hard to find more content to write about unless you became a real journalist and contacted people in charge of giving info about the topics you’re writing about.

In the end, it’s about what your financial goals are, your time management skills and general interest about what you want to write about and where.

Related articles

• Being a Contributing Writer Vs Reviewer/Editor (vivaciousentrepreneur.wordpress.com)
• 5 Things a Freelance Writer Can Do to Make You Look Better in 2012 (insatiablesolopreneur.com)