Learn About FREELANCE JOURNALISM JOBS by Brian Scott

Online Writing Jobs .com
Search 1000s of Help-Wanted-Ads Seeking Freelance Writers!

[ home ] - [ articles ] - [ resources ] - [ contact ] - [ Hire a writer - POST A FREE AD ] -
*** New websites: Fast Cash Freelance | Homebased Blogging ***

Writing Bids

Post An Ad

View All Categories

Quick Searches:

• Freelance WRITING Jobs
• Freelance COPYWRITING Jobs
• Freelance MAGAZINE WRITING Jobs
• Freelance BLOGGING Jobs
• Freelance WEBSITE WRITING Jobs
• Freelance CONTENT WRITING Jobs

• Freelance ARTICLE WRITING Jobs
• Freelance BOOK WRITING Jobs
• Freelance GHOSTWRITING Jobs
• Freelance PROOFREADING Jobs
• Freelance COPY EDITING Jobs
• Freelance TRAVEL WRITING Jobs
• Freelance PUBLIC RELATIONS Jobs

• Freelance JOURNALISM Jobs
• Freelance TECHNICAL WRITING Jobs
• Freelance RESEARCH Jobs
• Freelance REVIEWS Jobs
• Freelance RESUME WRITING Jobs
• Freelance SCREENWRITING Jobs
• Freelance SPORTS WRITING Jobs

View TODAY's Online Writing Jobs | View ALL Online Writing Jobs

Sponsored ads | ( show all ads)

Working from Home
Download the "Work From Home and Make A Fortune" report and discover how I made $27,724.35 in 7 days on the Internet...and how you can too!"

Home Cash Course
Start making money online today! Now rated #1 online opportunity. See why.

Freelance Home Writers
Tired of your deadend job? Why not work from home and live the lifestyle you've always dreamed about! Make $250/day, we show you how!

$$$ Author and Grow Rich $$$
How to author a 100 page money-making book in less than 12 hours…and gain instant access to a New York publisher!

Earn Money Writing

$3,780 In Freebies for Writers

Find Freelance Jobs

English Grammar Checker

articles : index

Learn About Freelance Journalism Jobs
by Brian Scott, www.Online-Writing-Jobs.com

Find:
Freelance Journalism Jobs
Freelance Content Writing Projects

Breaking into journalism isn't easy. Besides polished creative writing skills, you need self-motivation and be willing to accept your share of low-paying gigs. Don't expect more than $35 an article for smaller daily newspapers. Bigger-city newspapers will pay around $200 an article for good stories.

Most full-time reporters received training at journalism schools, after they'd already earned a 4-year undergraduate degree. If you lack the education, you can still get your foot in the door by becoming a stringer (the industry term for "freelance reporter"). Many publications use stringers because they lack reporters to cover all the news at once; besides, newspapers want writers to hone their skills before they're hired full-time, or because they like the fresh perspectives of a good freelancer.

What's involved in freelance journalism / reporting?

This is the exciting part: as a freelance journalist, you get to chase the news as it's happening. For many, this thrill is enough to keep them going through the drudgery and low pay.

You'll need to keep your wits about you. If news is happening right in front of you, you must have the presence of mind to take accurate notes and come up with questions for on-the-spot interviews. Freelance journalism is all about recreating the story on paper so readers can relive the experience you had.

Where do I find freelance journalism jobs?

Before you approach any newspapers, you should have a portfolio of articles under your belt. Five to ten sample articles is the minimum. If you don't have published samples of your work, you'll need to do some freelance stringing for free to get started.

Hunt around for some newsworthy events – an upcoming concert, a celebrity coming to town, an impending election, etc. Then, write about it and submit your article to as many free publications as you can think of. You'll want to make sure your article is relevant to what a given magazine or newspaper publishes, of course, but be as prolific as possible.

When you have samples under your belt, make the pitch. Email the publication, or send them a query letter. Tell the editor you have some good ideas and you're available for freelance writing.

Alternatively, you might call the publication and let them know you're a freelance writer and you're wondering if they use stringers. Be brief, confident, and professional. If they do use stringers, they may ask you to come in for an interview.

You can also search for freelance journalism jobs at online employment sites like JournalismJobs.com, Online Writing Jobs, and MediaBistro.com.

How do I ace the interview?

Bring along your portfolio, a list of well thought-out ideas specifically for that publication, and a sample article that you've written for them. All of these will help the editor decide whether you're a good fit for their newspaper.

Some editors want their stringers to use their own ideas and some editors have ideas of their own. Be flexible. A good portfolio will show editors that you can handle a various subject matters.

As in all interviews, be relaxed and confident. Acting nervous and stammering over your words doesn't make a good impression. Before the interview, imagine the interview going perfectly. This technique helps calm your nerves and sets the stage for a positive interview experience.

Here's an example:

Let's say you want to write for your city newspaper. How would you craft your query letter?

It might go like this:

Dear (editor),

The content of your newspaper is unsurpassable. As a loyal reader and enthusiastic writer, I would be honored to contribute to The Daily News.

Our city is full of excitement this season. Here are some of the story ideas I have that would appeal to your readership:

- How do the new pet bylaws affect downtown pet owners?

- Support our agriculture: homegrown food for your family

- The upcoming art show is attracting art lovers from all over North America

- How neighborhoods are improving road safety for pedestrians

- New schools and playgrounds encourage families to move inner city

These are just a few suggestions, and of course I am open to any ideas you have. As an experienced freelance writer, I have covered a wide variety of topics. I hope you will find the enclosed clips to be compelling and well written.

Show the editor that your writing style and journalistic abilities are in line with what they're looking for, and include your relevant experience. If you have a good query letter and they need freelance reporters, expect a phone call! | THE END |

articles : index

More freelance jobs from GetAFreelancer

• 500 word rewrites by kalikisiva
22 Mar 2010 at 2:14am
I am looking for a reliable writer to write rewrites on various topics.Original articles will be provided by me. Need to write 50 articles for me. I require minimum 5-10 articles daily and frequent updates... (Budget: $30-250... ( cont'd )

• writers needed| urgent by kalikisiva
22 Mar 2010 at 2:11am
I am looking for a reliable writer to write rewrites on various topics.Original articles will be provided by me. Need to write 50 articles for me. I require minimum 5-10 articles daily and frequent updates... (Budget: $30-250... ( cont'd )

• Article writer needed - 12 Articles by steeloblk
22 Mar 2010 at 1:58am
I need 12 original articles on website related topics, blogging, website optimization, building links etc. A minimum of 500 words per article. Each article must be optimized for 2-3 keywords to be provided for each article...... ( cont'd )

• Press release article need by CLREX
22 Mar 2010 at 1:20am
I need a 400-450 words Press release on targeted keywords niche. I dont want the PR article to be written on the website,product or company. They should be on the main niche. As long as achieve the min... (Budget: $30-250, Jobs:... ( cont'd )

• Health and Food related articles needed by articlemania
22 Mar 2010 at 1:19am
Dear bidders, I am looking for a writer who can write on the benefits of certain foods, which I will reveal to the winning bidder. The article must pass -Copyscape -DupefreePro -Ezine Standard... (Budget: $30-250, Jobs: Articles)

• Need Articles and Press Releases Urgently (Within 12 Hours) by starwriterwanted
22 Mar 2010 at 1:15am
Article Requirements: Please write 5 x 500 words unique article that contains 2 keywords from below each article. The 2 keywords must be mentioned at least twice in each article and must be bolded ... (Budget: $30-250, Jobs: ... ( cont'd )

• Hiring Writer From Philippines by AlfDigest
22 Mar 2010 at 12:59am
We need someone from the Philippines to write articles for us. The rate is currently set at $1 for a 500 word article. The article must pass copyscape test. Please attach a sample and introduce yourself... (Budget: $30... ( cont'd )

• Many Topics Article Writer/Rewriter by offshoreau1
22 Mar 2010 at 12:49am
I am looking for writers to write/rewrite articles on a regular basis. I will need a minimum of 5 articles submitted for my approval PER DAY in a zip file of.txt (notepad) format, with a minimum of 25 articles submitted per week... ( cont'd )

• Need Product Descriptions by bgibson8708
22 Mar 2010 at 12:37am
I need product descriptions for my website. I will send you 25 product names every week. Some products may be hard to find and some may not be an exact product but a type of product. All I need is a 400... (Budget: $30-250, Jobs... ( cont'd )

• Nonpublic project #640354 by Eureka008
22 Mar 2010 at 12:02am
The project is Nonpublic. Description can be read only by registered users. (Budget: $30-250)

• Write 8 Articles and Submit to 8 Directories by PeterHill
21 Mar 2010 at 11:40pm
Talented writer wanted for website content development. 8 Articles written and submitted to 8 article directories. Accounts will need to be created. Email account will be provided. Details: -... (Budget: $30-250, Jobs: ... ( cont'd )