|
|
 |
|
|
How To Get Started As A Freelance Journalist by Robert Flores
|
|
|
How To Get Started As A Freelance Journalist |
|
|
|
|
|
Education
|
|
|
As always, getting started in any new career is best done by taking the advice of the experts. After all, you wouldn't try to build a house without learning how to do it first would you? And freelance journalism is not different. However, if you feel you want to dive right in, read through the suggestions below and have fun. What editors want The most important points to remember when you are starting out as a freelance journalist are to write what editors want, how they want it. Sounds obvious doesn't it, but you'd be surprised how many novice journalists believe they can write what they like, however they like, and have editors clamouring to publish it. Unfortunately, freelance journalism does not work like that! So, first and foremost, you need to learn the rules. Rule 1. Make sure you send it to the right publication There is simply no point writing something before you've carried out thorough market research - you will be wasting your time. It is vital that you know what publications you are aiming your articles at because different publications: • have different styles - some prefer the article to have lots of titles, short paragraphs and bullet points, allowing the reader to quickly skim the main points. Others require more academic styles with complex, detailed writing • accept differing lengths of article - some accept articles that are 1000 words and above, others only accept shorter articles • use different language - this depends on who the target audience of the publication is going to be. Obviously a magazine for the older generation will us entirely different language to one aimed at the teenage generation Rule 2. Be current Think about it. If you write an article about a general election but the election was two weeks ago, it is highly unlikely that any editor is going to accept it. So, stay up to date with recent national and world news topics, but don't forget to keep an eye on your local news too. Find out where newsworthy events are happening and make sure you are there to cover them. Rule 3. Send it in the correct format to the right person First, and this is very important, get the editor's name and use it when you send your work to them. This shows you are interested enough to find out who they are. Next, follow the submission guidelines to the letter. If you don't it's likely the editor will reject your article without even reading it. You can usually find this information in any good market book, such as the 'Writers and Artist's Yearbook' and if you can't, make sure you contact the magazine to request it. Rule 4. Make sure it is proofread carefully Once you've managed to get your work onto the editor's desk, you don't want to risk having it rejected because there are too many spelling and grammar errors to correct. Editors are too busy to correct your mistakes so all your hard work will be wasted if you fail to proofread your work properly. If you need to, get someone else to look at your work - a fresh pair of eyes can spot errors that even the most experienced writers miss. Rule 5. Send photos with your words Taking photos to go with your writing increases your chances of being published by one third. And, in some cases, the photos can actually earn you more than the writing itself! Rule 6. Get it there on time If an editor decides to take your article and gives you a deadline, you should make sure that you stick to it. Missing the deadline will mess up the editors' schedule, making him/her really unhappy and probably resulting in them never taking work from you again. thesis
Related Articles -
Started, Freelance, Journalist,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Stephen Bye is a fiction writer. His most recent novels are a 5-book “The Developer” series which be...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
MICHAEL BRESCIANI
Rev Bresciani is the author of two Christian books. One book is an important and concisely written b...more
|
|
|
|
|
LEVAL AINAH
I am an internet marketer and also an educator. My goal is to help others who are looking to improve...more
|
|
|
|
|
PAUL PHILIPS
For more articles, blog messages & videos and a free e-book download go to www.NewParadigm.ws your p...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
