FREELANCE WRITING WORKSHOP Presented by Beth LaMontagne Hall Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications April 9, 2016

All you need to know about freelance writing… What to expect when you get started The publishing landscape 2016 Showing off your skills The importance of networking What editors expect from writers Where to get good ideas and how to develop them into a selling story The Elements of the Pitch What to do when you get an assignment Staying organized and getting paid Resources used by freelancers

What is freelance writing? Writer hired for a single article Writer hired on an at-will basis to cover a special beat, write a column, or write a series of pieces Contractor hired to create content for a website or social media accounts Any writing done for a publication at which you are not an employee

Why get into freelance writing? You love to write You want to see your name and work in print You would like to get paid for your writing

Keeping it real: What NOT to expect when you start That you will be able to make a living You will get paid like a real job That it will be easy Accolades (there will be lots of rejection)

Important skills for freelance writers “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.” Stephen King, On Writing

The kind of writing you can sell News stories/straight journalism Feature stories Blogging Marketing and Public Relations Personal Essays

Where can I sell my writing? Newspapers Weeklies and regional publications Websites Blogs National Magazines Trade magazines

How I make a living Writing news pieces for regional and niche publications Blogging Public relations work Social media and website content writing Business writing Editing

Getting to know publications: Newspapers

Weeklies and regional pubs

Websites and Blogs

National and Trade Magazines

How do I get started? Create a blogCreate a blog

My favorite blogs Be Better Studios

My favorite blogs New York Drinkie

My favorite blogs Putting Up With Erin

The #1 Key to Freelancing Success: Networking Reach out to everyone you know in the writing and publishing industry and ask for introductions Go to writer and creative professional networking events Join writer groups and organizations Informational interviews

Meeting editors’ expectations What you should know before you pitch Looking for “reliable, accessible, clean, accurate writers who can meet a deadline. No drama.” -- Howard Altschiller, Executive Editor, Seacoast Media Group Find a niche and keep an eye out for trends. -- Amber Drea, Editor, Market Watch Magazine ing me with a decently fleshed out pitch, with some possible sources and details about art/photo opportunities is HUGE. That alone automatically sets a writer apart. -- Larry Clow, Editor, The Sound

Meeting editors’ expectations Take as much time as you can to internalize the publication through and through. … This is the only way to be sure that the pitches you structure will be a good fit; otherwise, you're throwing darts blindly and hoping something sticks. -- Erik Neilsen, Editor, ZEST Magazine It's extra work for me to come up with story ideas for writers I don't know, when it'd be far easier for me to simply assign stories to writers I know who can do them. -- Larry Clow, Editor, The Sound

Tips from writers

Editors want to know not just what the article is about, but why you are the person who should write it. -- Nicholas Conley, author and freelance writer Pitch publications where you want to write, develop relationships with editors, and keep an eye out for trends. -- Amber Drea, editor and freelance writer Find a niche and become the go-to person on that subject. Also, be reliable and hand in what the editor wanted. -- Rachel Forest, food writer and website editor

Getting ideas for stories: Where to look?

What is a pitch? It’s a way for editors to get a glimpse at you and the story you propose Must be short and to the point Must include your name, contact info, short writing history and clips More often, editors want the finished story with your pitch See “From Pitch to Paid: How a Freelance Writer Makes a Living”

Where to pitch? Publications in your own back yard Consider magazines you like Go to the library to look for publications new to you Trade magazines The vast internet – likely there is a website focused on what you love to write about

Making the pitch Learn the right editor and submission guidelines EDITORS ARE VERY BUSY! Get to the point and make sure to sell it right away Make the tone/style of the pitch match the publication Mention any special section where the story would fit well Mention if you have a source or expert you can quote Think visually – are there pictures you can take and include in the piece? Add clip links, attach story if needed Start with an , follow up with a call

Pitch DON’Ts No all caps, funny fonts or images Promise more than you can deliver Pitch to more than one publication Pitch non-stories – who will care?

My pitches – hit and miss This pitch turned into a paid story: /

Even rejection can be OK sometimes

You got an assignment! Now what? Make sure you have a clear understanding of the assignment Note due date and plan the work that needs to be done to meet deadline Get started on interviews right away Leave time for revision Double check name spellings and dates

Submitting the assignment Include story in modern Microsoft Work format, unless otherwise specified Attach images, if you have any Include contact info for photos or follow up later Ask who to send the invoice to and for copy of story Ask yourself, “Is everything true and accurate?”

Staying Organized

Once you have some clips under your belt It’s OK to ask for money, or more money It’s OK to follow-up on checks Once you get an assignment with one editor, keep pitching ideas Don’t let rejections get you down – Keep pitching!

Go out there and do some writing