Roads to freelance writing
Posted by Theda K. on 14 Mar 2008 | Tagged as: Writing
Freelance writing means different things to different people, and there are certainly several different roads to freelancing. While you can specialize in one type, it might also make sense to try several kinds until you’re sure what works for you. Let’s explore some of the paths.
Commercial or Business Writing
This is the type of freelancing I’ve been focusing on for several years. I contact businesses and offer my services writing newsletters, press releases, ads, brochures, and other marketing materials.
Some argue that this is the most lucrative type of freelance writing, perhaps because companies often have the money to spend on one-time or even repeat marketing collateral. Also, the writing they’re buying functions to bring them more business, and, therefore, more money.
Newspaper Reporting
Newspaper freelancing is a field I’m planning to try very soon. Small and large newspapers can be found in every city and town, and they often rely on freelancers. Newspapers generally pay by the story.
I almost got a gig at a local paper, so I’m encouraged. All it took was an email to the publisher, along with some sample clips. The next step is to find a paper that currently needs another freelancer.
Magazine Writing
Magazine freelance writing is what many people think of first when I tell them I’m a freelance writer. I haven’t pursued this avenue yet, but articles that are accepted can pay pretty well.
The trick seems to be in finding the right magazines (there are a lot of smaller publications that are easier to break into), and then writing the right story. And it seems to be a “query and wait” business. I’m not that patient right now, so I’ll try it when I have more time and more money (so waiting won’t be so painful).
Online Article Writing
This type of writing includes blogging and writing copy for online magazines. This may be the easiest to break into, but potentially the least lucrative. A lot of online companies want to pay pennies for online writing, even though the act of writing takes just as much time and energy as print writing.
Be careful with this market. If you accept a low-paying offer, consider writing it super fast. In my opinion, those that offer pennies should get what they pay for. But that’s just me. Ideally, none of us will accept pitiful offers, but we all have to decide what works best for our situation.
Your Turn
What paths to writing have you tried? Do you have a preference, or do you try a healthy mix of several types?
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When I first started writing I assumed the only door that would be open to a novice would be the magazine market. However as my career progressed I was amazed to find out just how many other opportunities there were. Though I would offer this advise to anyone starting out on the freelance journey - learn your trade, write every day and only take on the amount of work you feel comfortable with.
Most importantly never miss a deadline and never let an editor down.
Good advice for everyone. Thanks for commenting!
Nice post Theda. All I wanna add is that you should go after clients who offer regular business, or a monthly contract of some sort. I realize this is a contradiction to ‘freelancing’, but it’s too darn difficult to maintain a balance between twiddling your thumbs and being overloaded with work, if you go after clients with one time jobs.
triphow Ling’s last blog post..Millennium UN Plaza Hotel New York
Hi Ling. Actually, freelancing does include contracts and retainers, which is definitely the best thing to do. Freelancing just means not being an employee, but you may still work with a client for a long-term. So definitely not a contradiction. But, since you’re not an employee, many clients just outsource to you on an as-needed basis. I’ve done a few retainer jobs myself. Maybe that’ll be a good post…helping people figure out how to write up contracts or negotiate retainers. Stay tuned!
Theda,
When I was in high school, I was on the school newspaper and wrote articles even though I couldn’t spell that well. I became Editor-in-Chief, and went on to become sports editor of the local junior college newspaper. I wrote for the local throw a way newspapers, and worked my way up to a Daily Newspaper that had a circulation of 350,000. Newspaper reporters make peanuts. But it is one of the most exciting jobs there is. If you like meeting new and interesting people all the time, then writing for a local newspaper is a good start.
Thanks for the comment. I’m not sure what “peanuts” is, but I just applied for a reporter job (cross your fingers) that pays $30,000 to start. Definitely worth it. But it’s a specialized paper, so maybe the smaller, more specialized markets are more lucrative than the larger papers that cover everything? Or maybe that’s peanuts.
Freelance writing is great. it really allows you to enjoy what you like to do without deadlines.
Good summary Theda - it very much ties in with my experience, although I’m now spending more time writing books, which seems to be working well.
Antonia
Antonia’s last blog post..I knew someone else would say it better
Dear Theda:
I find myself visiting your nice blog regularly in my “entrecard dropping.” I have met a lot of new people through that (entre) program, so it is not a waste of time by any means, even if it isn’t really much good, advertising-wise, sometimes. On many sites I often just “drop and run”, but I seem to always put on the brakes when I come to your blog and read what you have to say. You are a great writer, I think.
Keep up the good work. I just wanted to go one extra step this time and actually make a comment.
Relax Max from britishspeak.blogspot
(It’s pretty “racy”, so you don’t have to visit. I just wanted to compliment you on your writing.)
Hi Max,
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. I’m glad you stop to read Crayon Writer, and I hope I keep writing what you like. I’m so happy you took the time to comment. I’m finding that comments really inspire me to write.
I hope you have a great day, and I’ll check out your “racy” blog too.
Sincerely,
Theda
Im into blog and website article. Been doing it for almost 2 years. Use to be in banking, but then quit the jobs, now making full time in article writing.
Hi Theda-
This is my first visit to your blog. I found you through Entrecard, which I’m beginning to really like becasue I’ve found so many great blogs lately.
I just wanted to make a comment about online article writing. Among many things, I’m a writer also.
Looking at online article writing in terms of freelancing, you simply have to see at it as a completely different market than magazine, or story writing for print media in terms of compensation.
While payment is MUCH different for online article writing, it’s not necessarily peanuts. You can maintain credibility by carefully choosing the projects you accept.
Sometimes the trade-off is greater exposure, sometimes it’s cultivating clientèle, sometimes its actually making more money by doing more projects (volume vs high-paying project).
What I’m saying is online article writing is another alternative. It’s not necessarily better or worse than other markets. It’s just different.
urm .. i think magazine writing sounds cool eventho i’ve never try it before . thinkin of droppin into that line after finish my studies .
I am a writer for three years now and I used my skills in writing to earn money. Freelance writing is my way of earning money online. As other says, “sell your expertise”.