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How to Freelance

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If you thirst for freedom, but not necessarily fame and fortune, freelance writing offers numerous choices in online, print or broadcast media. As a freelancer, you can work in specific genres and write on subjects that inspire you. And you can choose when and where you write.

Getting Started

Freelance writing is not easy, especially if you haven't been published before. A dichotomy that we all face, at first; you can't get published until you already have been published. With a little persistence, you can change that.

Write for your school/college newspaper. Work as an intern at a local newspaper, television or radio station. Submit articles to online ezines, content providers and article submission sites. After you have been published, start building a clippings file.

Treat it like a job; set some time aside each day to look at newspapers and magazines, job sites and, most importantly, write.

Form and Structure

There are many types of short non-fiction; news, features, articles, etc. Learn the form and structure of each type. With news, you'll need to include the who, what, where, why, when and how of the story. Articles usually describe a single topic much like an essay. With features, you'll need to flesh the story out and tell it in an interesting way .

Study past issues of specific publications in the field you are trying to break into so that you know exactly the kind of article they expect.

Where to Look

Look for work in new magazines that don't have established links with freelancers. They are more likely to give new writers a chance. Read the magazine or paper to see what kinds of articles they publish and send a query suggesting a topic you think might be appropriate. Check the Internet daily or even more frequently.

Establish Contacts

Find out the editor's name so you can address your query to the right person. Your query should lead the editor into your story. Write the lead and then say how you would develop the story. Include any information about sources you may have access to or areas of expertise.

Don't give away so much of your material that the editor can commission someone else

Think of the extras you can provide - photos and material for sidebars. You have to catch the editor's attention, at least the first time. Once the relationship is successfully established, it becomes easier.

Delivery

Once you have the commission, be professional and deliver error free copy, on time. If you let an editor down once, you won't ever be hired again.

Get Paid

Find out who's responsible for paying you (it may be the accounting department rather than the editor) so you can send your invoice as soon as the work is delivered.

Try to get the details of the commission in writing

If the editor won't send you a letter, then send one to him confirming your understanding of the agreement you've made. If your article is good enough to go in the magazine, it's good enough for you to be paid.

Get Published

You may be on your own as far as the writing goes but you have to find markets for your work and get published. Getting published is easier than it has ever been. Thanks to the Search Engines, the internet has a voracious appetite for fresh content. Online publishers abound, ready to publish anything, even poor copy. Getting paid is another matter. However, it will help to build your portfolio and clippings file.

The Writers Digest and the Writer's Market used to be the only game in town and are still a good place to start. The Internet has opened up a whole new worldwide community and innumerable opportunities. It's up to you to find them. Here is a short list:

Join online sites, discussion forums, e-mail news groups, and freelance groups. Create a profile that makes your abilities and experience stand out. Detail skills, education, interests, and experience.
Join associations for freelancers. Many associations have a web site that post assignments or a system where relevant assignments are e-mailed to you.
Subscribe to magazines that feature assignments / job opportunities.
Enter contests and competitions.
Search the Internet for broadcasters, newspapers, magazines, and e-zines that offer assignments.
Find an agent to represent your work.
Follow any or all of the following links:

Perseverance and patience are the two cornerstones of building a great career in freelance writing. Plan ahead and send out your profile to all concerned. If you send out a hundred, just a few may respond. But don't feel dejected, rejected ...

Get used to rejection. It's part of a freelancer's life

Opportunities are bound to come along.

Journalism

Journalism is a much abused, maligned and respected field. Online Journalism is HOT! Entering the field easy and painless; anyone can start a Blog. Before embarking in this highly competitive field, take a look at the following sites:

Copywriting

Call it what you like, everything you write is copy (text or content). However; the term copywriting is now generally used for direct response, advertising or marketing copywriters, the most lucrative writing field of all. We recommend the following copywriting sites:

Learn from these marketing masters. Sign up for their newsletters, courses, seminars.

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