Four ways to use your writing skills in a down economy

Writing is writing. Unless you write sonnets or haiku or dig iambic pentameter, if you can write, you can write. It's just a matter of doing it, learning how to apply your skill to the needs of a specific type of writing.

If you believe the prognosticators, 2009 is going to be a difficult year. And let's face it, in a down economy, if you get laid off today, it might be months before someone hires you to another "permanent" gig. Now is the time to expand your horizons and prove your writing flexibility. And if you can't prove it now, start laying the foundation so you can prove it later.

Here are a few possibilities to consider:

1. Technical writing. Technical writing doesn't mean computer manuals. A technical writer can develop anything from process documentation to recipes. If you can write instructions, you can write technical documentation. My first technical writing assignment was about playing baseball.
2. Blogging. If you aren't blogging, you need to. Blogs are great ways to build an online network. Combine your writing ability with a blog. If you're a technical writer who restores antiques, create a blog describing how to restore antiques.
3. Courseware. Courseware isn't much different than technical writing. You're providing steps that tell readers how to do things they need to do, and backing it up with exercises. The key is determining the most important thing users need to learn.
4. Press releases. Press releases are a specialized form of writing and require practice and instruction. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources on the Internet that can help you learn.

Whatever you do to expand your writing, you need to be able to prove you can produce output that will help someone make money. In other words, you need samples. If you can't get someone to pay you, volunteer your time. The local church or senior center could probably use some computer documentation. Local public-service organizations can always use press releases. The senior center might like to use your courseware to teach basic computer skills to seniors.

Whatever you do, get referenceable clients and a portfolio. And blog about it. Talk to people who write for a living. Offer to help if they need it.

Getting laid off is a horrifying experience. But expanding your skills and keeping the mortgage paid in spite of the obstacles can provide a heady high.