Easy Ways To Find Freelance Writing Contacts
She sits in an office cubicle, day after day, dreaming of an exciting career in freelance writing. Susan Gerlitz is a secretary for an oil and gas company but she’d rather be at home, writing articles. She wrote stories for her college newspaper but doesn’t know how or who to talk to about writing again.
Many people want the freedom and fulfillment of a freelance writing career. If this is something you’ve considered, it is entirely possible. However, it’s not something that can happen overnight. Like any new career, you must learn new skills or polish up old ones. Consider taking a writing course, which at best, will help get you back in the practice of writing. This will ultimately give you a profound sense of confidence once you get into the freelance market place.
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.
Who are the editors who hire freelancers in your city? Get to know their names and find out what type of stories they’re looking for. Are you a sports nut? Call up the editor of the sports section of your local paper and pick his or her brain. Hash out some story ideas. You might get the green light to submit an article.
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.
Maybe you’re a fiction writer with a great story to tell. Network with other fiction writers through a writer’s guild in your area. They’ll have a ton of resources for you, from names of publishers who are looking for fiction to good editors at magazines. As with any type of industry, sometimes it’s all about who you know.
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.
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