How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
The media writing field has undergone drastic changes in the last two decades. With the emergence of social media, writers seek more independence and autonomy in their careers. In the past, you would have to obtain a journalism or communications degree to be considered for work by mid-level and major publications. Now, writers can self-develop through blogging or take an online course like Yellowbrick’s Media Writing Essentials to learn the ropes of the industry. The freedom to work for yourself has its benefits, but finding consistent work can be an overwhelming process if you are new to freelancing. These are a few tips to help point you in the right direction.
Social Media is Key
Building a network of media-related contacts is an integral part of establishing yourself as a writer. Social media is an accessible entry point for writers at all career levels and differing backgrounds. For example, Twitter and Reddit are notable platforms with active writing communities. On Twitter, writers and editors engage in conversation. Follow your favorite publications and writers for open call announcements. Reddit has a few sub-communities (r/writers, r/writing, and r/screenwriting) where writers can post works in progress and receive feedback.
Sign Up for a Newsletter
If the prospect of diving into social media is too much, take away the stress and subscribe to some newsletters. Study Hall, One More Question, and The Writer’s Job Newsletter round up dozens of writing jobs and deliver them directly into your inbox every week. Some newsletters require a modest monthly fee in the $5 to $10 range. Others operate on a “pay what you can” basis where subscribers can pay as little as $1 a month.
Familiarize Yourself with the Publication
Beginning writers often make the same mistake of submitting a piece or pitch to multiple publications without customizing it to that outlet. Before submitting, read any back issues the publication has available. The best way to gain insight into their preferred tone, style, and content is to read what they’ve already published. For instance, if you want to pitch a long-form retrospective for the anniversary of your favorite film, an outlet dedicated to reviews of new releases will not be the best fit. It is also important to ensure that you are not submitting a topic they’ve already covered.
Follow Submission Guidelines
Not all publications have open submission opportunities for freelance writers. The outlets that do usually have submissions policies in place. Guidelines can be basic common sense (include projected word count and a short author biography). Others may be nitpicky (a specific format for the email subject line). Regardless of what you think of the policy, your first point of contact is the first impression you make. You don’t want to paint yourself as someone who can’t follow directions.
Write a Good Pitch
A pitch is a brief description of the story you want to write. Its purpose is to show editors that your story is interesting enough to resonate with readers and that you are the correct person to write it. There isn’t an exact science to writing the perfect pitch, but there are best practices to keep in mind when pitching. First, you have to determine if you have an idea or a story. An idea is a broad view of a topic, while a story has a clear and unique angle. Once you’ve settled on a story, explain how your piece relates to the publication’s readers. At the end of your pitch, include your projected word count and when you expect to have a draft completed.
If you would like to learn more about crafting pitches and other areas of working as a freelance writer, check out Yellowbrick’s Media Writing Essentials online course.
