Site icon IZEA Worldwide, Inc

How to Write for Mobile Apps

mobile appsmobile appsNewspapers and magazines alike are cutting back on freelance budgets, but the world of mobile apps is growing at a steady rate: Nearly one in every four American adults uses mobile apps, and there are more than 300,000 apps to choose from in the Apple Store alone.

There are plenty of freelance writing opportunities available in this new mobile market, but it takes a different skillset than traditional journalists and technical writers might be used to. Forget about long narrative works: “Mobile users are coming for really fast, succinct information,” says Regina McCombs, an instructor of social media and mobile journalism at the Poynter Institute. “You’re designing for a small screen that’s probably moving. You have to be super-focused and help people find the information they want quickly.”

A background in newspapers or magazines may not be much help in the mobile arena—but being a heavy Twitter user will. “If you’ve grasped writing in 140 characters, that’s going to help in mobile,” says McCombs. Having a good sense of what content might “go viral” helps, too: “Mobile is really social, so you have to write things that people will want to share.”

So what types of opportunities are available for writers willing to venture into these new waters? Here are a few:

As with any type of writing, spotlighting your relevant skills, networking, and gaining word-of-mouth referrals are some of the best marketing strategies for getting work writing for mobile apps. If you can master short, sharable copy that makes an impact, the mobile world will be wide open to you.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Exit mobile version