Make Freelance Work a Labor of Love, Not Just a Labor: Tips and Tricks For Writers
Freelance work can be a labor of love, or it can just be a labor, if you don’t know the tips and tricks to getting started and maintaining a steady flow of work that isn’t overwhelming. As someone who works in public relations full time and frequently pitches the media in an attempt to place stories for my clients, I relate to the freelancer question of “how?” and “where do I start?” Finding the topics that magazines, newspapers, and digital outlets are looking for can be tricky, but with a few helpful resources and your own tenacity, you will be well on your way to answering those questions and becoming a full-time freelance writer.
HARO - Help A Reporter Out
This helpful tool is totally free and one I use daily. HARO, a resource from Cision (also a great resource for finding reporters, news outlets, contact info, and more) is a newsletter delivered three times each day to your inbox. The newsletter is split up into topics ranging from Biotech and Healthcare, to Entertainment and Media, to High Tech, and more, so it’s easy to find the beat you’re interested in contributing to and/or writing about. You can use HARO both as a journalist who is looking for sources, or as a source who can contribute to journalists’ stories. It’s a great way to search what’s being written about and to source contributors for your piece.
Editorial Calendars
Browsing existing editorial calendars from media outlets is a great way to get a sense of the topics they will be covering each month throughout the year. Nearly all outlets produce a calendar in some form or fashion, from trade media to the most mainstream consumer outlet, like Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and others. These editorial calendars are broken down by month. Often, each month is assigned a topic or a theme that the stories will follow. Usually an outlet’s editorial calendar also offers a pitch-by date so that you know how far out you need to send your content in. Editorial calendars are a good way to educate yourself about when it might be best to send your pitch and how to angle it depending on which outlet you send it to, and which month you are trying to fit into. For example, if an outlet is highlighting recipes and food themed content in June, consider sending your pitch about the best new kitchen gadgets of the year sometime around April and mention that your story could make a great addition for your June issue. Start by doing a quick google search - something like “Good Housekeeping editorial calendar 2021” - and keep an organized spreadsheet so you never miss a deadline.
Networking and Writers Groups
The writing industry is often all about “who you know” and freelance writing is definitely no different. If you have friends with full-time gigs at a media outlet, reach out to them. Don’t be excessive about your correspondence, but it never hurts to ask if their place of work is looking for contributors. In tandem, consider joining a writing group or a freelance group on Facebook. These communities are often full of people who you can run your pieces by, go to for opinions and quotes, and potentially even find out about writing opportunities from.
Social Media
Twitter and Instagram are often filled with mindless musings and ramblings, but don’t discount that. What was a silly TikTok trend about feta pasta turned into an avalanche of media pickup. Sometimes these musings can be great inspiration for what to write next, and sometimes they can turn into the next great media craze. How awesome would it be if you were at the forefront of that? Plus, by using social sites like LinkedIn, you might be able to pick up your next pitching opportunity. Professionals in the biz are often posting about opportunities for freelance writers and contributors. Be sure to use all the resources at your fingertips!
Day-To-Day News
There is no greater tool to gauge levels of newsworthiness than the news itself. As a freelance writer, you would be wise to have subscriptions to digital outlets or daily newspapers. Podcasts can be a great way to get a sense of the day’s headlines while still being able to multitask. Don’t be afraid to ask your friend’s and family’s opinions on the news either. Other people’s insights can help you brainstorm potential angles and pitch ideas, too.
Freelance writing doesn’t always come easy, and even when it does, sometimes hours of pitching can lead to a whole lot of nothing. However, by sourcing your information in a robust and systematic way, keeping yourself organized and on deadline, and remaining proactive and determined, you will have a broader scope of ideas, a better outlook on rejection, and eventually turn that rejection into your very own placement on print.
