|
|
Thanks to the Internet, new opportunities for freelance writers abound. From the comfort of your own home, you can earn a living or make some "side money" by exploring the avenues available to you as a professional wordsmith.
MAGAZINES
Interested in writing for magazines? Then pick up a copy of the Writer's Market. It's published every year by Writer's Digest, and contains thousands of listings for magazines that hire freelance writers. You'll find listings in every imaginable category. Horse lovers? Absolutely. College students? Lots. Elton John fans? Yep, that too. There's a market for just about any subject you could possibly want to write about.
You can preview the kinds of listings you'll find by clicking on the markets database at www.writersdigest.com. You'll also find a nice database at www.woodenhorsepub.com.
Magazines seek submissions of all lengths and types. If you're new to freelancing, you may want to try to place a few short pieces before you try to sell feature length articles. The shortest pieces are known as "fillers." These are the paragraph-or-less tips and quirky facts you'll find throughout many magazines. For example: "A tablespoon of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice cures hiccups instantly."
WEBSITES
If you've heard the rumor that websites don't pay well, ignore it. It's true that magazines pay better in general, but there are plenty of websites that have good pay rates for freelancers-- I've found up to $2 a word. Websites have the added advantage of shorter lead times (the time from when you submit an article until it's published), easier staff accessibility (usually, e-mail addresses are listed on a masthead page), and opportunities for more frequent assignments.
To find markets, visit www.inscriptionsmagazine.com, www.writersweekly.com, and www.absolutewrite.com. Each offers several new listings every week, complete with contact information and guidelines.
For both magazines and websites, the proper method of approach is via a query letter. Rather than sending the completed article, almost all editors prefer that you first send a short letter that explains what you want to write, why it's right for them, and how you are qualified to write it.
Begin your query letter with a strong "hook." That's the first sentence or two, and it should encapsulate whatever is most unique, interesting, shocking, funny, or informative about the article you're proposing.
In the next paragraph or two, tell the basic gist of what you want to write. Why is this an interesting topic? How will you cover a unique angle that the publication hasn't already covered?
In the next paragraph, state exactly what you plan to deliver (for example, a 1000 word feature article with a short sidebar, or a 500 word profile with photos). If you know which section your piece would fit, mention it here. If you know which experts you'll quote, or if you've already got interviews or research done, mention it.
The final paragraph is the "about you" section. If you have writing experience, it belongs in this part of the query. Mention any relevant credits. If not, don't say a word about your lack of experience! Just keep quiet about it.
Finally, enclose 2-3 clips of your writing. Clips are photocopies of your published work. If you've never had anything published, you may enclose one or two unpublished writing samples.
When querying via e-mail, you have a few choices as to how you send clips: you can copy and paste text into the bottom of your e-mail, send the editor links to your work at other sites, or create your own website as a "calling card," posting several of your articles online to show editors. Whatever you do, however, never, ever send an editor an attachment unless it has been requested. More often than not, it will be deleted, sight unseen.
GREETING CARDS
Ever stood in the card section at a convenience store and thought you could do better? Now is your chance. If you can write short, snappy prose that has a very personal feel, you might have a calling to the greeting card industry. Light humor is the most sought-after card type, and all occasions are fair game (think birthdays, weddings, "get well," and less-famous occasions-divorce, moving, and "empty nest syndrome," for example).
To get you started, here are the websites for several greeting card companies:
Be sure to send for guidelines before submitting to companies. Most will ask for your submission in batches of about 10-12, and most prefer that you write your greetings on index cards with your name and contact information on the back, one idea per card.
BOOKS
The book market is much tougher to crack than most other areas of freelancing, but it is possible. To sell a book based on your own ideas, you'll need to write a book proposal. This is the package you'll send to publisher to explain what your book will be about, and what kind of market there is for this type of book.
In your non-fiction book proposal, you'll need an introduction, a synopsis of your idea, an overview of the market (who will buy your book, why, and how will you reach them?), the competition (what other books are available on your topic, and how is your book better/different?), book details (including approximate word count, delivery time, illustrations or photos, etc.), a section about you, an outline or detailed table of contents, and 1-3 sample chapters.
In a fiction book proposal, you'll need an introduction, book details (genre, approximate word count, delivery time), a section about you, a brief synopsis of the book (about two pages), approximately three chapters, and a detailed outline of the plot.
Once you've finished this, you can either send your proposal to agents, and find one you trust to market your proposal, or you can market it yourself. If you choose to do it on your own, try www.find-a-publisher.com for hundreds of listings, or the Writer's Market.
BUSINESS WRITING
Possibly the best-paying work you can find as a freelancer is in the corporate world. If you can write concise, direct, catchy sales material, you'll be in a good position in this less saturated field of writing. Writers are in demand to compose brochures, sales letters, radio commercials, flyers, and more for businesses.
If you've never done it before, volunteer your services to write or rewrite material for local organizations, churches, etc. to build up a portfolio. Then send a letter or brochure detailing your services to businesses. Check with your Chamber of Commerce, or track down the marketing and communications director at any business you'd like to approach. You can often find this information by calling the company and explaining your situation. Address your submission to this person, and explain your availability and expertise.
If you're creative, you'll find a myriad of avenues for your writing. I've even written slogans for t-shirts and doormats! This is a potentially lucrative field for those who are willing to work hard, market themselves, and handle rejection. Good luck and good writing to you!
|
Jenna Glatzer is a full-time freelance writer with hundreds of national and online credits. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the big writers' website Absolute Write.
She is the author of "The More Than Any Human Being Needs To Know About Freelance Writing Workbook," available as an e-book. You can learn more about it and order at Absolutewrite.com.
Jenna's work has appeared in several anthologies, and she is a published author. She enjoys working from home, and loves helping other writers achieve success as freelance writers.
|
|
 work at home
get paid to shop
write articles for traffic
free content
|
|
