Hi there, I'm new to this website, and am really keen to start out as a Freelance Writer. I finished college last year with three Distinctions in Journalism, and since then have not been able to secure full time work in my chosen field, so have had to work in another field as I need money. I am hoping to gradually break away from my current full time job, and pursue my dream career in writing. Has anyone here done this, and do you work full time as a freelance writer? If so: 1) How easy was it to set up as a freelance writer? 2) How did you get other people to notice you? 3) Who did you approach to write for? 4) Who are your competitors? 5) Are you working and living comfortably on your freelance writing wage? 6) How much do you charge per article you write? 7) Do you think Freelance writers are in demand, despite the recession? 8) What are the challenges of setting up your own freelance writing business? 9) Would I be better off working for someone else, moneywise? Thank you in advance for answering my long list of questions, I just want to make sure I am making the right decision. I look forward to hearing from you all!
Hi Avy93 I'm not a freelance writer but I do know a couple who left school like you with distinctions in journalism that got them nowhere. What got them into the game was their contributions to blogs, websites, facebook pages etc. They are both sports writers and spend a good 2 years sending articles everywhere they could to build up a portfolio of work. After this long process they were spotted and asked to submit pieces for printed magazines which they weren't initially paid for but again it added to their resumes. Anyway to cut a long story short, they wrote what they could on a range of topics for hundreds of outlets, online and print. Now one works full time for a Sunday newspaper while freelancing during the week, the other freelances and runs his own PR company. The latter specialises in getting private client's publicity into the other guys papers. Nice work they have between them and yes, they make a lot of money and get to go on some amazing trips chasing sports stories. They will both tell you it took about 5 years after school to become overnight sensations.
Thank you for your quick response Erebh, I think I will have to take the same route, and just keep persisting until I find some freelance opportunities. I do run my own blog, but like the sound of contributing to other blogs to gain experience and build upon my portfolio. Thank you for your advice
Exactly as erebh said. You need to write for anything that will print/publish you to build up a portfolio.
i freelanced for about 15 years... i never did it full time, but it did help a bit income-wise... i made more money providing writing services, though... 1) How easy was it to set up as a freelance writer? ...no 'setting up' is needed, other than having a typewriter [nowadays, a computer and online account]... all you have to do is start writing and submit what you write... and keep submitting, till someone buys something... 2) How did you get other people to notice you? ...i don't know what you mean by this... what you need is to get your writings accepted for publication... see what erebh said about this above... 3) Who did you approach to write for? ...i wasn't wanting a job writing 'for' anyone... if you mean who did i send articles/columns etc. to, it was to any magazine or literary journal i found appropriate for what i wrote... 4) Who are your competitors? ...all the millions of others who wanted to get their work published... 5) Are you working and living comfortably on your freelance writing wage? ...never got to that point... see above re writing services... 6) How much do you charge per article you write? ...you don't 'charge' a fee... you accept whatever they pay... and most venues don't pay much, some only pay in copies... 7) Do you think Freelance writers are in demand, despite the recession? ...writers are always needed, regardless of the state of the economy... but in a recession, smaller venues may go under, so there would be fewer to submit to... and possibly a lot of out of work salaried folks trying to make a buck by freelancing, so competition could be greater... 8) What are the challenges of setting up your own freelance writing business? ...as with acting, you should always have a 'day job'... because paid credits will be few and far between... 9) Would I be better off working for someone else, moneywise? ...see above...
