In just the first few weeks of my return to the freelancing business, I’ve landed some great, ongoing assignments. I’m the new project manager for Good Catch Publishing (editing and managing the book publication process from start to finish.) I recieved my first assignment from Videomaker magazine, with more to come. I’ve become a contributor to Chester County Life. And of course, I am writing for my long-time client and former employer, Lancaster Newspapers, including Boomers and The Good Life.
For those who are starting out (or struggling) in this freelance journey, let me give you a tip. I got most of these gigs by cold-calling and you can do the same.
What interests you? What magazines (or newspaper inserts) do you read? Check them out in the 2012 Writers’ Market or look for the editor’s e-mail in the masthead of the publication. Craft an extrodinary query letter and e-mail it to them with two or three of your best clips.
Introduce yourself in a conversational tone and ask if they need contributors. Tell them about your experience. That’s what opened the doors for me. If you don’t have much experience, don’t say that. Just highlight what you do have.
If you are struggling with your query e-mails, I can give you some help for a reasonable consulting fee. I won’t write it for you, but offer specific guidance to walk you through the process. I’m also available for manuscript critique. Just e-mail me at j at jeannettescott.com.
Happy querying!
When I left freelancing to join the staff of Sunday News, I asked the editor-in-chief if I could continue to write for the tab “magazine” insert to the newspaper. It’s produced by the creative services department for ad revenue.
He said no. I couldn’t write for the tab anymore because writing for the ad supplement could diminish my credibility as a journalist.
I get that. But what about freelancers? Can a freelance journalist write ad copy to make ends meet?
I say yes. At least until newspapers start paying stringers fair rates. Unless you are writing for a major market like the New York Times, you can’t make a living writing for daily’s. If you want to eat, you have to follow the money.
Web copy — especially copy that brings significant hits for ad revenue — is the hottest ticket for steady work at fair rates. And the newspapers I write for pay more for tab copy than well-researched reporting.
I believe in local journalism. It’s important for the public to know about what affects them. People need to be engaged in local current events. It’s the reason for a free press. It’s why I do it.
But if local journalists can’t make a fair wage, we must supplement our income from publications and Web sites that pay. And that includes advertising venues.
Who says freelance writers can’t make a living? There are many places to look for assignments and ongoing writing gigs. Here are some I have found helpful. I recommend checking them daily for new posts. The sooner you pitch to them, the better chance you have at landing the assignment.
Check out http://www.sunoasis.com/freelance.html All assignments posted are current and unfilled. New opportunities are posted daily.
Don’t overlook craigslist.com. Click on your nearest metropolitan area and then check out the writing jobs section and the writing section under Gigs. Don’t rule out exploring neighboring metro areas. For example, Lancaster, Pa. is my first look. Then I also check Delaware, York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
Journalismjobs.com is also a good bet. Check the “search freelance jobs” link in the middle of the home page. Then search by state or telecommute. I check this daily, although updates are less frequent than sunoasis.com and craigslist.com.
Let me know how it works out for you. And suggest your own good leads with a comment. Happy marketing! And wishing you many writing assignments as a result!
I’m back! It’s time to dive into this challenging and rewarding world of freelancing again.
I had an incredible time as a staff writer at Sunday News. I miss the atmosphere of the newsroom, my colleagues and my managing editor. Sometimes, I even miss covering police beat on Saturday nights. But there is a season for everything, and when one ends, another begins. Fall seems an odd time to make a fresh start at anything. Yet I’m heading into it with excitement.
Journey’s are always better when we don’t take them alone. When I go for a walk, I like to walk with a friend. We talk. We encourage. We push each other to walk faster.
So I hope you will join me in this writing walk as I start a conversation each Monday and Thursday morning. Subscribe to my feed so you won’t forget. Let’s talk. Encourage. And push each other to press on in this wonderful craft of writing.