If this sounds like you, the best thing to do is approach freelance writing as you would any other sort of job. That means you need to study or train for it, familiarize yourself with the job market then start applying. If you’re already working full time in another job, brush up on your writing by taking an evening course or one of many excellent online writing courses. This will help with your confidence level, and every good freelance writer needs to feel good about their story ideas and their ability to follow through.
Writing is the easy part. Building relationships in the industry is the daunting part for many people. Begin by starting slowly. Many careers have begun by writing on a part-time, volunteer basis. Perhaps your community league or association or local charity organization has a newsletter and is looking for free editorial. Write about interesting people in your neighborhood. These profiles make for very interesting reading and help establish your name in the community. Once you start a collection of stories or articles, you have a portfolio of samples to show editors who may want to see what you can do.
Get to know the editors of local papers and magazines. Determine your area of interest and pursue relationships with editors who publish that sort of work. For example, if you love sports, get to know local sports editors and introduce yourself. Give them some story ideas. They might just ask you to write one.
Get to know other writers in your area. Start with a quick email saying you loved a recent article, or flat out explain that you’re breaking into the business and ask them for some advice. Other writers aren’t always in competition – some are so busy that they give editors names of other writers. If your name is top of mind, that just might be your big break.
If you’re longing to write fiction, joining a writer’s group is one of the best ways to increase your circle of influence. That’s where you’ll find out who publishes fiction, either in short story or book form. There are hundreds of magazines world-wide that publish fiction pieces, which may pay more than non-fiction writing. However, it’s much harder to get published as a fiction writer.
Expanding your circle of friends, finding the right story and the right market and getting the word out. Do all these things to jump start your career, but while you’re waiting for that first big break, write. Write as much and as often as you can. The energy you build and the excitement you create within yourself will soon manifest into the career you’ve been waiting for.
A D Kerr writes for Word Wolf which is a blog about making money on the internet and has articles published such as how to write for the search engines.
You must log in to post a comment.