Writing online can be a lucrative business. No wonder so many dream of becoming freelance writers. They envision a life in which they can wake up when they want, from anywhere in the world. While such a life is possible, a beginner freelance writer needs to build a path toward that dream. This may be your dream. You dream of a life full of mobility and flexibility but don’t know where to start.
After deciding to become a freelance writer, the next step is to consider your writing options. What kind of writing should you pursue? What are you passionate about?
Answers to these questions will help determine your writing niche. So, what are the standard options? There are several common paths when it comes to writing online.
One popular niche today is the medical field. Medical writing has been in demand for some time. Private clinics need content to inform and persuade prospects, but they also need internal documents for their staff. For this, they often hire freelance writers.
Another well-known niche is social media. More blogs and websites are dedicated to it, and more social media pages are built to discuss it. Why? Because it’s a trending topic. Many young people dream of becoming influencers, so they learn and read about social media as much as possible. At the same time, more agencies offer social media services, so they need content to attract businesses. Do you want to become a social media influencer? If you’re reading this post, you may need one for your company.
There are many other popular niches for beginner freelance writers. Medical writing and social media writing are just two examples. However, maybe you want to write about something more unique. Maybe you have a passion that’s out of the ordinary, or you’re searching for niches that offer better pay or less competition.
In the rest of this post, you’ll discover five unusual niches to explore as a beginner freelance writer. Even if you’re not just starting out but are looking for fresh opportunities, these niches may bring better revenue—and they’ll certainly help you learn more about the world.
Writing About Cannabis
More countries are legalizing cannabis. As a result, more teens are trying it, and more adults are curious about the plant. Companies, cannabis farms, and CBD stores all need content for their audiences.
Businesses need blog posts about their products so they can sell them. Farms need to find clients for their premium products. CBD stores, which sell cannabis-based goods to the general public, require persuasive content to attract more customers.
Selling joints on a street corner is a thing of the past in many places. Today, you can legally consume cannabis in most U.S. states and in many countries around the world.
What’s more, CBD-based products have made their way into the medical and pharmaceutical fields. If you’re interested in health or medical writing, you can find work in this intersectional niche of medical and cannabis writing.
In 2025, a freelance writer in this niche can earn up to $33,000. Still, keep in mind that this industry is expanding—earnings could skyrocket in the years to come.
Gambling Writing
Vices rule the world, and with the digitization of everything, these vices spread even more. Gambling is no exception. Internationally, the gambling industry has grown. Today, it’s rare to find a small town without a place to play blackjack. With that, a lucrative niche for freelance writers has also expanded.
Why consider gambling writing? One major reason is the demand. As the industry grows, so does the need for content. The more people gamble and talk about gambling, the more money circulates—including money for beginner writers exploring unconventional niches.
The niche is also diverse. Topics like poker, sports betting, online slots, and sportsbooks are profitable and less saturated. Writers can tap into a market with high demand for quality content, producing everything from SEO articles to promotional materials. This variety keeps the work fresh and engaging.
How much can you earn?
Freelance gambling writers typically earn between $18 and $57 per hour, depending on experience and specialization. As a beginner, you can expect to earn between $13 and $23 per hour.
iGaming Writing
Closely related to gambling is iGaming. This refers to interactive online gaming. A beginner freelance writer can earn good money in this niche, as it’s expanding rapidly.
As a freelance iGaming writer, you’ll produce informative and persuasive content about online casino games—slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat—as well as sports betting, online lotteries, poker tournaments, bingo, and other games of chance.
In essence, iGaming means gambling online and everything that comes with it. And if the gambling industry is profitable, iGaming is growing even faster.
Earnings Potential
As a beginner, you might start at $0.01 to $0.04 per word. Many writers charge the lower end initially to build their portfolio, later increasing to $0.05 to $0.10 per word as they gain experience.
Experienced iGaming writers can earn about $0.14 per word—around $140 for a 1,000-word article.
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Writing
Despite market fluctuations, writing about cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and digital currencies remains profitable. Writers with expertise help brands educate and attract audiences.
Still, as a beginner, this niche is accessible—especially if you’re a skilled copywriter. Copywriting is in high demand here.
News articles are also popular, especially those covering trends or regulations. Before writing, you’ll need to learn the basics. Opinion pieces forecasting future trends and technical explainers about blockchain or smart contracts are especially valued. If you can simplify complex topics for general readers, you’ll stand out.
How much can you earn?
According to crypto job listings, content writers often earn between $60,000 and $110,000 annually—about $30 to $55 per hour for skilled writers.
As a beginner, expect to charge around $0.10 per word, or $100 for a 1,000-word article—not bad at all for entry-level work.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Writing
Pregnancy and postpartum writing is a highly engaging and profitable niche in 2025. It focuses on the experiences, challenges, and wellness of pregnant women and new mothers. Topics include trimester symptoms, breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, mental health, and body image—appealing to a large, dedicated audience.
If you’re passionate or knowledgeable about these subjects, this niche could be professionally and financially fulfilling. Maybe you’re a woman who’s experienced childbirth and wants to educate future mothers. Then this could be the perfect unconventional niche for you.
Content types vary: physical recovery, nutrition, mental health, wellness, and more. For instance, if you’ve worked as a nutrition writer, you could enter this niche by offering advice to pregnant or postpartum women.
Earnings Potential
Writers in this niche average around $63,216 per year once experienced. As a beginner, you might earn $10 to $25 per hour. For a well-researched, edited article, you can expect $50 to $150. Annually, you might make between $20,000 and $30,000, with potential to reach higher levels after two to three years.
These were five unconventional niches you should consider as a beginner freelance writer. One thing to keep in mind is the earning potential—wages are more than decent in all of them.
More importantly, you’ll gain new perspectives on the world and become a more interesting conversation partner at parties.
Yes, many people now have access to cannabis, but few understand it deeply or write about it for a living. The freelance writing economy continues to expand and diversify, and unconventional niches are becoming more appealing—especially for those just starting out.
