1. Freelance Writing Workshop
Presented by Beth LaMontagne Hall
Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications
April 8, 2017

2. What we’ll cover today What is freelance writing?
What you need to know about freelance writing
What skills do I need?
What kind of writing can I sell?
Where can I get published?
Start with a blog
It’s who you know
Meeting editor’s expectations
Where do you get ideas?
Pitching
Your first assignment
After your first clip
Staying organized and getting paid

3. Thinking Ahead…
Questions are welcome anytime. There will also be a chance for questions at the end.
Think about questions for our editors
Think of story ideas for our Pitch Workshop

4. 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 or company at which you are not an employee

5. Why get into freelance writing?
You love to write
You want a flexible way to make extra income
You want to see your name and work in print
You would like to get paid for your writing

6. Keeping it real: What NOT to expect
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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. The kind of writing you can sell
News
Feature stories
Straight news
Recipes
Service pieces
Listicles
Personal essays
Online
Blogs
Web content
Social media posts
Business/ Marketing
Press releases
Business blogs
Newsletters
Non-profit/Alumni Publications

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

11. Getting to know publications: Newspapers

12. Weeklies and regional pubs

13. Websites and Blogs

14. National and Trade Magazines

15. How do I get started? Create a blog

16. My favorite blogs Everyday Chick – Personal Blog by Lynne Chick

17. My favorite blogs
New York Drinkie – Cocktail blog by Amber Drea

18. My favorite blogs Putting Up With Erin – Canning blog by Erin Urquhart

19. My favorite blogs Typical Erin – Personal Blog by Erin Laplante

20. The #1 Key to Freelancing Success: Networking
Reach out to friends in the writing and publishing industry, ask for introductions
Go to writer & creative professional networking events
Join writer groups and organizations
Informational interviews

21. 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

22. 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

23. Tips from writers

24. 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

25. Getting ideas for stories: Where to look?

26. 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”

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

28. 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

29. Pitch DON’Ts No all caps, funny fonts or images
Pitch a story they’ve already done
Promise more than you can deliver
Pitch to more than one publication
Pitch non-stories – who will care?

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

31. Even rejection can be OK sometimes

32. 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

33. Submitting the assignment
Use Microsoft Work format, unless otherwise specified
Attach images, if you have any
Include contact info for photos & follow up
Ask where to send the invoice & for copy of story
Ask yourself, “Is everything true and accurate?”

34. Staying Organized

35. 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!

36. Go out there and do some writing