This is a question that many new or hopeful freelance writers ask.
Most of us come into the writing profession with the desire to write on a certain topic, in a certain style or genre. You might hope to make it big writing children’s stories, for example, change the world through your ecological articles or share your opinion essays. And you may be able to actually sell some of your favorite pieces. But, if you hope to become a freelance writer or supplement your income through your writing, you’ll probably have to stretch a bit beyond these narrowly focused concepts.
For one thing, it is not generally practical to place all of your hopes and dreams within one area of interest. The children’s story writer may get further in this business by also writing some how-to and informational pieces, for example. The editorial staff at magazine A may reject her fantasy story, but welcome her piece on how to encourage children to read. An editor might pass on your personal family essay, but be thrilled to receive your humorous piece on how to survive a dysfunctional family or 10 tips for bonding with your long-distance grandchildren.
Becoming a freelance writer isn’t exactly the same time as writing for fun. While you get to (in fact, have to) come up with the story or article ideas to pitch and you can choose topics of interest to you, you may not be able to put your exact slant or focus on the piece. You can’t generally just sit down and write fun stuff and then easily get it published and collect a paycheck. You must be willing to conform to what the editors are looking for.
Here are 4 tips for writers who want to achieve success in the freelance writing field:
1: Be flexible. Be willing to write a how-to piece, where required, even though you prefer penning those get-it-off-your-chest essays of yours.
2: Get in touch with what is selling. Study the magazines you want to write for and conform in topic and style.
3: Constantly research new magazines, newsletters and websites that offer payment for articles/stories. One way is through the SPAWN Market Update in the member area of the SPAWN website. Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) at http://www.spawn.org. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter to learn more about this site. Also subscribe to the Wooden Horse Pub newsletter: http://www.woodenhorsepub.com, Freelance Writers Report at http://www.writers-editors.com. And study Writer’s Market. Purchase at any bookstore for around $30. Or sign up for their database at http://www.writersmarket.com
4: Learn to develop many article ideas from one concept. You may decide to write a piece on grandparenting, for example. Suggest one on how to choose cool gifts for long-distance grandkids for a senior publication. Pitch one on educational places you can take grandchildren to a regional magazine. Propose a piece on how to entertain the kids when they come to visit for a family spiritual magazine. How about one for a parenting magazine on how parents can help their children bond with their grandparents? A senior magazine might be interested in your tips for maintaining family traditions. And you might interest a nostalgia magazine on your nostalgic piece featuring Christmas at Grandmother’s house in the 1950s.
Freelance article-writing isn’t exactly an art, but if you plan to earn a living or supplement your income through freelance article-writing, there are certain rules and requirements you must follow. For additional information on this subject, purchase Patricia Fry’s book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles ($6.50). http://www.matilijapress.com.
Sign up for the article-writing course at, http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog.
I like your 4 tips to achieve success in the freelance writing field. Actually, those 4 tips are pretty much the same for achieving success in the book writing field with only minor changes to terminology.
Thanks for this informative article. I didn’t know about the SPAWN resource, I will have to check that out. I appreciate you sharing this with us.
Laurie