The good thing about being a freelance writer is that you’re not expected to be an expert on everything. There’s no way you could have prior knowledge of every little thing a client wants you to write about. What you can do though, is be an expert at conducting quality research on topics you are given. Researching is essential to producing accurate work. The last thing you want to do is write something that is not true or factual for a client. But this can be avoided by remembering some proper research methods.
The key to conducting research for a piece you’re writing is being able to identify good sources of information. Nowadays, you can find good and bad information online. You’ll want to avoid sites with sketchy content and inaccurate information. Here are some ways to identify a reliable source online:
1. Consider the source: Who is the content written by? You’ll want to consider if the author is an expert or not.
2. Check the website domain name: Check the site’s domain by looking at the three letters at the end, such as “.edu” (educational), “.gov” (government), “.org” (nonprofit/ organization), and “.com” (commercial). Reputable news organizations can also be good sources. Generally, this list of sites is credible, but be aware of bias on any website.
3. Check other sites: Verify a site by seeing if the same information can be found on another. Double checking the information will help make sure it is credible. Reliable information should be accessible on more than one website.
Below you will find an example of a blog about choosing a college major. The example blog has been written using accredited articles online as noted in the sources section at the bottom. Including sources can be helpful when writing a blog for a client should they want to refer back to them.
Choosing a College Major that’s Right for you
Choosing a college major can be a stressful task. Students typically declare a major during their sophomore year of college, but this could vary depending on the program you choose. Keep these helpful tips in mind when deciding what to study in college.
- Consider your interests - A good place to start when choosing a college major is to think of what interests you. Listing classes that you have liked or fields that have piqued your interest will help guide you in the right direction. You can also add a list of strengths and weaknesses to brainstorm. Remember that studying something you like will make college a more fruitful experience for you.
- Research earning potential - Future earning potential is something to consider when deciding on a college major. Although this is not the first factor you should think about, it’s important to keep in mind that college is an investment after all. Talk to guidance counselors and teachers, or conduct your own research to see what jobs are in demand and which ones pay a wage that you’d be comfortable with when you graduate.
- Visit colleges and events - College visits can give you a good idea of what attending would be like. Going on college tours and attending events will give you an opportunity to speak with other students and professors in different departments. Learning about your options gives you knowledge about all of your choices before making a commitment.
It’s not uncommon to enter college undecided on a major, and may even be a good thing. Taking a few college classes before declaring a major can help you determine what subjects you like and are good at. Remember that it’s ok to change your mind along the way and there are resources to help you.
Sources: Princeton Review and College Board blog. Princeton Review is a college admissions services company that offers test prep and other student resources. College Board is a nonprofit organization that works to help students on their higher education journeys. Both are reliable sources of information.
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/choosing-college-majors
https://blog.collegeboard.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-major
