You can crank out writing for residual income sites and bank pennies for your writing or sell your writing to established markets, print publications, that pay real money. Don’t even consider sending typo-laden crap to these markets. Don’t bother to approach with sophomoric drivel. But if you are willing to gather facts and write polished, mature prose, a niche like any of these could make your nut.

Here, then, are the five most approachable freelance niche writing markets I have for this month.

Tech writing for real people – Looking to expand your technical writing into the real world or to carve out a niche in technology writing? Worldstart may be the perfect venue for you. They pay up to $65 for short computer related tips or shorts on computing techniques. Readership is 125K – respectable exposure. Your writing must be enjoyably understandable to anyone, any level of expertise. Read the guidelines and dive in. They also want features, definitions and other types of writing.

Young adult and teen market – Listen Magazine. This magazine is, says the publisher, aimed at teens but read by adults, as well. They seek skilled writing that encourages high quality social behavior and thinking. It’s a classroom tool, an effective way to position your writing in an education, YA, or youth niche. Lots of opportunity here and the pay is worth the time invested – about $250 for 700 words. Be sure you know what they want.

High paying humor market – Smithsonian is quite picky about what they accept, but they pay $1000 and more for the right stuff. No queries – you must submit a complete manuscript – up to about 700 words. If you are a polished humorist who understands the essay format, you may want to toss them an article from time to time and see if you can break in, Competition is not fierce if your writing is professional.

Greeting card market – the best one. Blue Mountain Arts has been around a long time – and was begun by one woman entrepreneur as an outlet for her creativity. This company is always looking for quality poetry and greeting card content as well as imaging. They are awesome about looking at submissions, especially if you follow their guidelines and submit good stuff. Email or snail, you can send as many submissions at one time as you want. They say this, though – NO rhymed poetry, religious verse, one-liners, or humor. the pay? $300 per acceptance.

Essays, interviews, fiction, poetry – all genre that are tough to place these days. But if you think outside the box, but not ridiculously far outside, try The Sun, a magazine for thinking people. Competition is truly fierce here with a thousand submissions per month, but if you stand above the crowd, you will line your pockets with filthy lucre, tot he tune of up to $3000 for first time rights only. And you can write as many as seven thousand words. For this one, I truly suggest you subscribe or haunt your library for a while to read several issues and see what it is the folks at The Sun are looking for.

These are not typical freelance beginners markets – they are more for established writers who want to settle in to a niche or are looking to branch out. So those of you who have a bit of experience- take a close look. But to my less experienced writing readers, don’t pass these by if your style and specialties seem to fit. All they can do is say, “no.” And what if they don’t?

More good reading:

Ontext.com, the while web site.

Women Day by Day – a lovely compendium of terrific writings for women

DemystifyingDigital.com - the home of the Digital Grandparent, the Tech Confused Dad and other technical personalities.