Write Away: Advice for aspiring freelance writers - getting started

WELCOME to the first Write Away advice slot!

I've started this regular feature in response to bloggers contacting me asking for guidance about freelance writing.

Thanks to Josie from Sleep is for the Weak who sent me some queries to get the ball rolling. My answer is very long but in Josie's 'one' question, there were a few. 

She said:

There seems to be plenty of opportunities to do 'freebie' writing work online, but how, as a writer with very little experience, do you actually go about getting your first paid contract?

Are jobs advertised online and where? Who do you need to to approach? What opportunities are there realistically?

Do you need a specialism? Or is just a desire to write and a willingness to throw your hand at anything enough?

And here's my answer:

Josie, I would like to answer the last part of your question first.

Is a desire to write and a willingness to throw your hand at anything enough?

No.

You need to know that the craft of writing may not be the most important factor in getting paid for it. An ability to meet deadlines, interview and research skills are equally important and for some more important.

If you are serious about earning money from writing for newspapers, magazines and websites, take the time to learn how best to do it. Invest in training, read, read and read some more, in particular the publications or sites you want to write for. Find out if they even have a freelance budget. Learn about which laws govern what you can and can't write. Join forums where you can get frank feedback on your efforts from professionals. Subscribe to services and magazines which explain more about writing, journalism and what opportunities are out there. Have a look at my old site, Freelance Writing Tips and see if there's anything relating to specific queries there.

Use social media the best you can to build relationships, find information and make the most of opportunities, that could help progress a writing career.

There are plenty of established freelance writers struggling to get commissions and money in their pocket so for a new potential contributor to stand out from the crowd, boy do they need to get it right. Do not pitch high paying or high profile markets until you are absolutely sure you can deliver. There is much more to writing for a living than 'throwing your hand to it.'

To anyone reading this who thinks I may be coming across as a little harsh, then I'm sorry I don't mean to be - it's just as far as I am concerned, now more than ever, anyone trying to earn money from freelance writing needs to be realistic about the way to go about it. For some, at the moment, the 'correct' answer to all of these queries would be: "Want to be a freelance writer? Don't bother."

There seems to be plenty of opportunities to do 'freebie' writing work online, but how, as a writer with very little experience, do you actually go about getting your first paid contract?

Yes there are plenty of opportunities for writing for free but whether or not you should do it is an on-going debate. Ask any new writer and they’ll tell you how difficult it is to ‘crack’ that elusive vicious circle: You want a job, editors want experience and evidence of a track record – cuttings of already published work.

You must beware - for every publication offering you “exposure” as your sole reward, there are plenty more experienced hacks who’ll tell you to tread carefully. I've written for free in a limited capacity - for example, while at home with two baby daughters, I volunteered to write for a charity’s magazine. That helped me talk myself into the job of editing the magazine and doing the charity’s PR.

I've touched on this advice in various features over the years, but Lichfield-based writer Nick Daws , who runs the online resource My Writers Circle,  raises a key point campaigned on by the National Union of Journalists and many, many more experienced writers – writing for free devalues the profession.

He says: “I’ve always avoided writing for free. Writers should be paid a fair wage and those who routinely work for free are effectively undercutting those of us who depend on writing for our livelihood.

“I recently did a small job to allow a company to assess my style and I could assess what the job would involve. I wouldn’t adopt this approach for anything more substantial. I might be willing to accept a lower than usual fee for writing say, a test article, if I genuinely believed it was going to lead on to better things. I’d definitely expect payment if the job was going to take me more than half a day or so.

“You need to judge any offer carefully. If it’s just a small job to test your skills, and you’re confident it could lead to regular work, go for it. But if it’s more substantial, be prepared to negotiate. Point out to the editor that this will take a fair bit of work and as a professional writer you expect some recompense. If they are reasonable people, they should understand and accept this. If not, you’re probably better off not working for them anyway.”

While some writers will tell you writing for free definitely helps lead to paid work, others urge caution for different reasons. One told me: "“Beware of any editors offering “jam tomorrow,” saying if you write for free now, when their publication becomes successful, they’ll start paying you. What often happens is that, if the publication takes off, they’ll dump you and hire some higher-profile, established journalist. Writing for free is fine at the very beginning – for college and local publications, say – but always bear in mind that you’re building a career.”

That last point is key - even if you choose to write for free in the early days. Is the site and your work going to count for anything on a CV if the site itself is a bit shoddy?

In previous features and in my book, I include the following pointers:

Are you being ripped off?

* Ask yourself is this publication ripping me off or do they genuinely have a limited budget? If so, why? If they can't afford to pay their writers, why is this and do you really want to write for them?

 * Weigh up if the piece will genuinely have the possibility of leading to other work, building a specialism or boosting your reputation

*Be prepared to ask for a fee if a job is going to take a lot of work. Ask for expenses at the very least.

* Do you care passionately about an issue you are reporting on? Will it make a genuine difference? (And even then some would say remember – the resulting warm glow doesn’t pay the bills.)

A more up to date piece is here, discussing how blogging has changed the picture for some. The reality is that you may have to build a portfolio of work that starts off as either unpaid or badly paid, but you should always have a clear idea of where you are heading and how you are going to get there.

So if having weighed up the pros and cons and as a new writer, you feel you want to build a portfolio by writing for free, pick your favoured publications wisely, matching them as closely as you can to publications you would like to write for in the future.

As someone who is already writing on a blog and building a readership whose feedback can be hugely encouraging, you have a head start. 

When you apply for opportunities, or when you are in a position to pitch an editor, you can point them to specific posts on your blog which relate to your application or pitch and you hope will make you stand out from the crowd more.

But while a blog can be an excellent showcase for your writing skills, I also think you have to be careful about this. Bloggers can be so supportive of each other, and be so kind in their feedback. When you get amazing comments, it may be easy to lose sight of the fact that the people who will make it possible for you to be paid for your writing may not be quite so effusive. When I started out, as a reporter on an evening paper, stuff I had written was thrown back at me and I was told it was 'crap'. You may hope to be lucky enough to never work for an editor who is so blunt, but you must know that freelance writing is a hugely competitive arena and that a thick skin is a must.  

To make money from freelance writing you need to be able to adapt your writing to fit the particular market you want to sell it to and to, do this on time and be able to respond to any queries the editors may have.  

When it comes to getting your first paid contract, my advice would be to make sure that you apply to, or pitch to, write for a publication for which you genuinely feel confident you can meet the brief.  Your experience in other fields of life may come into play here - look for specific slots in newspapers, magazines and websites where your experience will be relevant. This could be a filler slot in a broadsheet newspaper, a women's weekly magazine or a website with a regular feature.

You may also be paid for taking part in certain women's magazine features where journalists are looking for what they call 'case studies'. These sorts of pieces can be an excellent addition to a portfolio or CV. Look out on the British Mummy Bloggers' Media Requests group or pop back to Got Your Hands Full when I post requests that have come direct to me or details of features I'm working on. Taking part in these features could be excellent experience.

Where are jobs advertised?

Here are a selection of sites, some with a joining fee.

There may be many more. Some want a lot more experience than others and some have better quality or higher paid opportunities than others. Have a look at them and decide, if there is a fee, if it's genuinely worth you signing up.

Just like X Factor or Strictly, those listed here, aren't in any particular order. Journalism.co.uk is an excellent site for keeping up to date with journalism in the UK and JournoBiz is a brilliant forum.

Freelancers Net (Mainly for freelance programmers but also has some copywriting opportunities)

Writethismoment

Gumtree

Gorkana

Projects and People

JournoBiz

Journalism.co.uk

Jobs for Journalists

Media Guardian

Hold the Front Page

I also have a freelance writers' group on Facebook where I post news and opportunities now and again and other members flag up news and opportunities on its wall.

Nor should you get your hopes up about these sites. Often, as in any profession, trade or industry, the 'best' jobs will go to those who have already proved themselves. In writing and/or journalism, it's a buyers' market. Freelance projects may not be advertised on the sorts of sites listed above as editors prefer to turn to trusted contributors. 

Who do you need to approach?

When pitching to write features for a given publication, find out who is responsible for commissioning and approach them directly with a winning pitch.

Building a specialism

The following is adapted from a piece from Press Gazette, I hope this may be useful:

Starting out as a freelance journalist can be a nail-biting time as pitch after pitch is rejected or, worse, ignored.

But if you can carve out a reputation as a specialist in a certain area, you can put yourself ahead of some of the competition.

By impressing editors with your knowledge of a niche subject, you can ensure they come knocking when the time is right.

That means you could find yourself in demand when a new publication launches or when your expertise is timely, thanks to a big news story.

But, warns health writer Rachel Newcombe, you should choose your specialism carefully. “If it’s too much of a niche subject, it could narrow your chances of work.

"But if you choose a popular topic you’ll be up against more experienced journalists who are likely to have the contacts and get the most lucrative work. Find the right balance.”

For some journalists, their specialism is a natural extension of a previous career.

Former teacher Janet Murray says: “I had my first piece in the Times Educational Supplement when I was still on my journalism training course: a first-person piece about why I’d left teaching!”

Building and looking after the right contacts is key.

Join professional associations, subscribe to relevant journals and keep an eye out for news from across the world – could a piece in a US or Australian publication spark a similar feature closer to home?

“As I began to establish contacts – from teachers themselves to education PRs and professional bodies – I found I was inundated with story ideas so I could pitch more education editors,” says Janet. Being known as a specialist has been a massive boost to her freelance career, she adds.

“Once you’re established, ‘cold pitching’ becomes rare. If you concentrate on building relationships with the editors in your specialist area, often they’ll come to you with commissions as well as giving all your ideas serious consideration.”

A web presence is also vital. “Having developed your specialism, it’s important to ensure that others are aware of it and that you become known as an expert. Having a website is invaluable,” says Rachel.

Maintaining a blog on your niche subject can also add to your standing in the field.

Rachel adds that sometimes your specialism can end up surprising you. “Don’t rule out having more than one focus.

Sometimes there may be a topic that links well with your main subject and could broaden possibilities for you,” she says.

“But you can also try a secondary subject in a completely different area. I’ve ended up specialising in foreign property, too, which is a complete contrast to health but just as interesting in its own way.”

What opportunities are there realistically?

I hope my reply so far has gone some way to answering this. It's important to know that in terms of pitching newspapers and magazines, which some would see as the equivalent of cold-calling anyway, opportunities are now fewer for the freelance writer. Publications and sections are closing and freelance budgets are being cut. All the people who have been making a living successfully pitching the now sadly defunct pages are having to find new outlets for their work.

These people are your competition.

So, take your time to build a portfolio, plan and make contacts. Start at the beginning and aim high. If you are determined enough and work hard enough, I do believe you can have some success, but please be realistic about how much competition there is and tough times are affecting the media.

Your blog is a wonderful showcase for you and I hope that you can make the most of it to build opportunities. Good luck.

* If you have a query  for this Write Away feature then please either leave a comment on this post or send me an email with Write Away in the subject line: linda[at]passionatemedia.co.uk

* Next time - what do you say when an editor asks you "how much?" instead of telling you what their budget is?

 

Comments

[Sue Hunter]

This posting had lots of good advice! Thanks for taking the time to put such a constructive/informative piece together.

[Neil Baker]

Great tips, Linda.

[Rosie Scribble]

What a brilliant post, Linda, and hugely informative. I've had regular freelance work for a couple of years from a medical company and I actually found it on the Reed.co.uk job website. Your point about being able to meet deadlines is so true. I actually have no medical training whatsoever but the work has been consistent because I have taken the time to learn the skills required and have never missed a deadline. Although sometimes that has meant working daft hours to get the job done but it helps to build up a reputation as being reliable.

I also completed a proofreading course with the Publishing Training Centre. Although I would say there is zero money in proofreading, it is a useful skill to have. I now proofread for a charity publication. I don't charge for this but it has added some experience to me CV which has enabled me to secure further work. Before I completed the course I actually discovered that my grammar and spelling was appalling. For that reason alone a proofreading (or other grammar) course is worth doing.

I got into freelance writing by actually writing about a subject I knew. I actually wrote about my own personal experiences. That lead to one publication and suddenly you're published and you have a foot in the door. So I'd recommend that too!

This is possible the longest comment I have written on a blog. The subject has left me slightly over-excited!

[Insomniac Mummy]

Wow! Great advice and a lot to take on board.

[Littlemummy]

Fantastic column Linda packed full of useful info. Thanks

[Linda]

Hi everyone, thank you for the very positive comments.

Rosie, how dare you write such a long comment. You are barred. You should share your advice too perhaps?

...But you do make an excellent point about grammar and spelling.

I know that when I comment on blog posts, my spelling and grammar can go what is technically known as all to cock.

If anyone is serious about being paid to write, they need to be able to make sure that copy submitted is flawless. Any missing or stray apostrophes could land you in hot water...and that isn't always the case on a blog where readers can be more forgiving. x

[Josie @Sleep is for the Weak]

Wonderful Linda, thank you so much for answering my questions so fully.

Lots to think about here...

[Karin @ Cafe Bebe]

Thanks Linda...brilliant advice. I'm working my way through your lovely book as well. And learning a lot! I'll be back for sure.
:) Karin at Cafe Bebe

[Victoria]

Lots and lots of good information, thank you. I did a freelance journalism evening course years ago, but never followed it up as I got another job. It's definitely something I'd be keen to get into and am already thinking of pitching our rtw trip as a column for someone. I'll have a think, as I'm sure I've got a question for you, although I think you may have answered most of them!

[Emily O]

Excellent post, really useful and informative. I'll put this on my other blog too, looking forward to the next one!

[Amber]

I came here from Josie's blog, and I just wanted to say thank you! This was really informative, helpful, and practical. I appreciate that you took the time to craft such a detailed response.

[Linda]

Hi Karin, Victoria, Josie, Emily and Amber, thanks for commenting and good luck with all your writing endeavours.

Josie, I think I should add that the time you are at home with Kai is an excellent time to plot some more to set the wheels in motion.

Victoria, you may want to check out the travel writing workshops run by renowned travel writer Dea Birkett, I can highly recommend these after going myself, travel writing is possibly the most competitive field and you need to be able to pitch your experiences in a way that will attract editors which is easier said than done.

Emily, thank you but don't you want me to shut up? x

[Lynley Oram]

Excellent article. For some reason I never thought of Gumtree as a source of potential freelance work. Shall check it in the future.

[Linda]

The pay can be crap and some are unpaid but I know people have found work from it, there may be a rare gem.

[Carola]

I second what Lynley says. A great piece, Linda -- thanks.

I advertised for copywriting work on Gumtree for a while and got quite a lot from it. Though (and forgive me for stating the obvious) like everywhere else in life ... real or virtual ... you have to be streetwise to the risk of 'chancers'. It's worth a go, though, I'd say. The only downside is (as I see it) that you need to repost your ad every two or three days to keep it near the top of the section.

[Linda]

It has struck me that one thing that isn't immediately apparent from this piece is that along with research and interview skills, a really key element in making a success of a freelance writing career is being able to come up with ideas that will make an editor commission you - knowing how to pitch as I keep mentioning 'pitching'. This is a major area to get to grips with - thinking about what you are pitching, how you are doing it and when, plus how to follow up effectively. These areas have been covered by me on the Freelance Writing Tips blog, in my freelance writing book and in features for Press Gazette. Perhaps if anyone has a question about this, we can come back to it at some point.

[Karen@therubbishdiet]

This is such a fantastic post and so glad to have dropped over to read it this evening. I'm chuffed to bits that recently I was approached to write a fee-earning piece for a UK website, which will be published within the next week. Most previous approaches have been made with "free" being part of the expectation. Linda - your advice is much appreciated and my new year's resolution will be to account for my time more carefully. Thank you :)

[Linda]

Thanks Karen, that's great to hear - please do let us know a link when your piece is up, will be v interested to see it.

[Karen]

This is a really interesting piece. I read it when it was first posted and am returning to check out some of the listed resources that I have not come across before.
I support the view that working for free devalues a profession but, as I have found while working away from writing, it can lead to paid work. It is, as you say, all about weighing up the pros and cons.

[Dulwich Divorcee]

Full of great info from a real pro, thanks Linda x

[Job Search]

Very strong point. In addition to this, pitch in specific achievements you have for experience in y. That would be a gold mine in an employer’s eye.