20 Underrated Types of Content Writing Services You Can Offer
Most content writers stick to the obvious services like blog posts and website copy. But if you want to stand out and tap into profitable niches with less competition, it’s time to look beyond the basics. This list highlights lesser-known content writing services that businesses need but struggle to find qualified writers for. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your offerings, these hidden gems can help you build a more interesting and profitable writing career.
- Legiit Platform Services
Legiit is a freelance marketplace that specializes in digital services, and it’s surprisingly underused by content writers who could benefit from its focused audience. Unlike massive platforms where your services get lost in the noise, Legiit attracts clients specifically looking for marketing and content help. You can offer specialized writing packages, build a reputation in a community that values quality work, and connect with clients who understand the value of professional content. It’s a smart alternative to the overcrowded freelance sites most writers default to.
- Grant Writing
Nonprofits, research institutions, and small businesses constantly need grant proposals, but few writers specialize in this area. Grant writing requires the ability to tell compelling stories while following strict formatting guidelines and demonstrating measurable outcomes. If you can learn the basics of grant structure and research funding opportunities, you’ll find clients willing to pay premium rates. A single successful grant proposal can earn you anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the grant size and complexity.
- Technical Documentation
Software companies, manufacturers, and tech startups desperately need writers who can create user manuals, API documentation, and installation guides. Most creative writers avoid this niche because it sounds boring, which means less competition for you. The work requires clarity and attention to detail rather than flowery language. Companies value writers who can make complex processes understandable, and they pay well for it because good technical documentation reduces support costs and improves user satisfaction.
- Podcast Show Notes
Podcasters need written content to accompany their episodes, but creating show notes is time-consuming work they’d rather outsource. This service involves listening to podcast episodes and writing summaries, timestamps, key takeaways, and resource links. It’s straightforward work that doesn’t require specialized knowledge in most cases. Many podcasters release weekly episodes, which means recurring income for you once you establish a relationship with a client.
- Course Curriculum Writing
Online educators and subject matter experts know their topics inside and out, but they often struggle to organize information into a coherent course structure. As a curriculum writer, you help them outline modules, write lesson descriptions, create learning objectives, and develop quiz questions. This is different from instructional design, which is more technical. You’re essentially taking someone’s expertise and shaping it into a logical learning path. Course creators value this service because it saves them dozens of hours and produces a more professional result.
- Amazon Product Listings
Sellers on Amazon need product titles, bullet points, and descriptions that are both persuasive and optimized for Amazon’s search algorithm. This is a specialized skill that combines copywriting with an understanding of keyword placement and Amazon’s specific requirements. Most general copywriters don’t understand the nuances of Amazon SEO or the character limits for different sections. If you learn the platform’s quirks, you can charge per listing and work with sellers who have dozens or even hundreds of products that need professional copy.
- Chatbot Scripts
Businesses implementing chatbots need conversation flows that sound natural and guide users effectively. Writing chatbot scripts requires thinking through multiple conversation paths and creating responses that feel helpful rather than robotic. You need to anticipate user questions and write clear, concise answers that move people toward a solution. This service is in demand as more companies adopt chatbots for customer service, but few writers have added it to their service menu.
- Video Scripts for Internal Training
Companies create training videos for employee onboarding, compliance, and skill development, but they rarely have writers on staff who can script these effectively. Internal training scripts are different from marketing videos. They need to be clear, respectful of the viewer’s time, and organized in a way that makes information easy to retain. This type of writing is less glamorous than scripting commercials, which is exactly why it’s overlooked and underserved.
- Membership Site Content
Creators running membership sites need a steady stream of exclusive content to keep subscribers engaged and reduce churn. This might include member-only articles, resource guides, or community updates. The beauty of this service is that successful membership sites need content on a predictable schedule, which translates to reliable recurring work for you. You become a behind-the-scenes partner in keeping their community active and valuable.
- App Store Descriptions
Mobile app developers need compelling descriptions for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, but they often treat this as an afterthought. A well-written app description can significantly impact download rates, yet most developers simply list features without selling the benefits. If you understand how to write persuasive copy within strict character limits and incorporate relevant keywords, you can help apps get more visibility and downloads. Developers who see results will come back for updates and new app launches.
- LinkedIn Profile Optimization
Professionals know their LinkedIn profiles matter, but they struggle to write about themselves effectively. They either undersell their accomplishments or come across as boastful. As a LinkedIn writer, you interview clients about their experience and goals, then craft profiles that are professional, authentic, and optimized for search. This service is particularly valuable for executives, consultants, and job seekers who understand that their LinkedIn presence directly impacts their career opportunities.
- FAQ Pages
Every business needs a good FAQ page, but most treat it as a rushed afterthought filled with awkward phrasing and incomplete answers. A well-crafted FAQ page reduces customer service inquiries, improves user experience, and can even boost search engine rankings when optimized properly. You can offer this as a standalone service or bundle it with website copywriting projects. The key is anticipating real customer questions and providing genuinely helpful answers rather than corporate non-responses.
- Crowdfunding Campaign Copy
Entrepreneurs launching products on Kickstarter or Indiegogo need persuasive campaign pages that tell their story and convince strangers to back their project. This type of writing blends storytelling with direct response copywriting and requires understanding the specific dynamics of crowdfunding psychology. Successful campaigns can raise thousands or even millions of dollars, so creators are willing to invest in professional copy that increases their chances. If you help someone run a successful campaign, they’ll recommend you to others in their network.
- Voicemail Scripts
Businesses want professional voicemail greetings that reflect their brand, but most people don’t know how to write them effectively. This includes auto-attendant menus, after-hours messages, and hold messages. The work is quick once you get the hang of it, and you can charge per script or create packages for businesses that need multiple recordings. Pair this service with a professional voice actor, and you can offer a complete solution that commands higher rates.
- Contest and Giveaway Rules
Companies running promotions need official rules that comply with legal requirements while remaining understandable to participants. Most marketers dread writing these because they’re tedious and have legal implications if done wrong. If you’re willing to learn the basics of promotion law in your target markets, you can offer this as a valuable service. Law firms charge premium rates for this work, so businesses appreciate finding a writer who can handle standard promotions at a more reasonable cost.
- Scholarship Essays for Organizations
Organizations that offer scholarships need clear prompts and evaluation criteria, but they often struggle to create questions that elicit meaningful responses. You’re not writing essays for students, you’re writing the prompts and guidelines that help organizations identify the best candidates. This work typically happens on an annual cycle, which means clients come back year after year. Foundations, corporations, and educational institutions all need this service but rarely think to hire a writer for it.
- Survey and Questionnaire Writing
Businesses conducting market research or customer feedback surveys often write questions that are confusing, biased, or fail to gather useful information. Survey writing is a skill that requires understanding how question phrasing affects responses and how to structure surveys for maximum completion rates. Market research firms, consultants, and companies doing their own research need writers who can create surveys that produce actionable data. This is particularly valuable for clients who need to make business decisions based on the feedback they collect.
- Terms of Service and Privacy Policies
Small businesses and startups need these legal documents but can’t always afford lawyers for straightforward implementations. While complex situations require legal counsel, many standard websites can use professionally written template-based documents customized to their specific situation. You’ll need to do your research and possibly work with legal templates, and you should always recommend clients have a lawyer review important documents. However, for basic websites and apps, you can provide a valuable starting point that’s better than the generic copied text many small businesses use.
- Investor Update Letters
Startups with investors need to send regular updates, but founders often procrastinate because they don’t know how to structure these communications effectively. As a writer specializing in investor updates, you help founders present their progress, challenges, and metrics in a clear and professional format. This service requires understanding startup terminology and metrics, but you don’t need to be a business expert. Founders value this because well-crafted updates maintain investor confidence and can make future fundraising easier.
- Recipe Development and Writing
Food bloggers, kitchenware brands, and ingredient companies need original recipes with clear instructions and engaging headnotes. This niche requires cooking knowledge and the ability to test recipes, but if you enjoy cooking, it’s a natural fit. Recipe writing has specific requirements, including precise measurements, logical step sequencing, and helpful tips that prevent common mistakes. Many content writers overlook this category entirely, assuming it’s only for trained chefs, which creates opportunity for home cooks who can write well.
These underrated content writing services prove that you don’t need to compete in oversaturated markets to build a successful writing business. By offering specialized services that most writers ignore, you position yourself as the solution to problems that businesses struggle to solve. Start by picking one or two services that align with your interests and skills, then build your expertise and portfolio in those areas. The clients who need these services are actively looking for qualified writers, they just can’t find them easily. Now you know where the opportunities are hiding.