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Join this workshop to learn the ins and outs of freelance writing, from pitching to getting published, and discover the secrets to success in the field. Presented by Beth LaMontagne Hall and Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications on April 8, 2017.
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Freelance Writing Workshop Presented by Beth LaMontagne Hall Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications April 8, 2017
What we’ll cover today • 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 • 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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
Where can I sell my writing? • Newspapers • Weeklies and regional publications • Websites • Blogs • National Magazines • Trade magazines/Alumni publications
My favorite blogs Everyday Chick – Personal Blog by Lynne Chick https://everydaychick.net
My favorite blogs New York Drinkie – Cocktail blog by Amber Drea http://newyorkdrinkie.com/
My favorite blogs Putting Up With Erin – Canning blog by Erin Urquhart http://www.puttingupwitherin.com/
My favorite blogs Typical Erin – Personal Blog by Erin Laplante • http://www.typicalerin.com/
Meeting editors’ expectationsWhat 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 Emailing 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
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
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”
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 email, follow up with a call
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?
My pitches – hit and miss This pitch turned into a paid story: http://soundnh.com/no-longer-forgotten/
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!
