The Beginner's Guide to Freelance Writing

The Big IdeaOkay. So youve figured out that youcan provide documentation and interview notes for
would like to write for magazines, newspapers, andeasy fact-checking, and could submit the completed
e-zines. Unfortunately, so have about eight gazillionarticle within two weeks.(Optional. Some people like
other people on this planet. Therefore, you have toto suggest a time frame, others let the editor do it.
stand out from the crowd. You have to sparkle. HowIn general, the editor will tell you when the article is
do you do this? Simple. It all starts with The Big Idea.due, regardless of your preferences. Its a nice touch
The first secret you must learn in this funny businessto mention how you will research your article. Mine
is that you dont actually have to write the wholewas primarily dependent on interviews, but you may
article to get a job. In fact, only bright green noviceswish to include the names of journals/experts you
attempt to write the whole thing before selling it.plan to quote or use for information.)I look forward
What you do need, however, is the IDEA for theto your response.(Obligatory polite ending. Use any
great story. You will use this great idea to convincevariation you wish. No pleading. If you dare type, I
editors to pay you exorbitant amounts of money viapromise to write a reallllly, realllly good article! Please
a proposal letter (called a query letter. But youll learnhire me!, you will incur my wrath. I will hunt you down
about that in a minute).So, where will you find this Bigand yell at you. A lot. Just a simple, dignified ending
Idea? Well, youve heard that wise adage write whatrequesting a response.)Regards,Jenna Glatzer(Oh.
you know. Thats a wonderful mantra for finding yourSubstitute your name and preferred signature ending.
jumping-off point. You dont need to stick to whatUnless you feel like sending your paycheck to me, in
you know for the specific focus of your story, butwhich case, you can feel free to use my name.
tap into your already huge vat of knowledge to findGrin.)Finally, clips! If youve had anything publishedor
the storys basis. This is how you will become aneven if you havent, but you have a few good writing
expert. Experts are in demand. People with storiessamples appropriate for this type of marketinclude
arent. What you have to do is sneak your storiesthem. These samples are called clips, and they are
into your areas of expertise. Example: lets say yourused to show the editor that you are an intelligent,
hobbies and interests include fishing, watching talkinsightful, funny, clever, and/or excellent writer.
shows, and traveling. Good! You are a potentialPhotocopy your articles straight from the publication.
expert in those areas. Jot these things down. NowJust 2-3 clips.When you're sending queries by e-mail,
comes the fun part: brainstorming.The biggestyou can paste the text of your clips into the body of
mistake you can make in pitching your story is beingthe e-mail (never as an attachment!), or you can
too general. Never, ever send a letter to the editordirect the editor to one or two website URLs where
suggesting an article about fishing. Not even an articleshe can view your articles.Interviews and ProfilesI
about fishing in Florida. This vagueness is notknow, you feel weird about this one, right? Youre
appropriate for short writing. In general, you will beuncomfortable calling someone or visiting a business
expected to write somewhere between 800 andto ask a professional to take precious time out of
2000 words on your topic. You couldnt possibly tell ustheir day to help you research your article.Well, buck
all about fishing in 2000 words. What you could do,up, little camper, because most professionals
however, is give us a comparison of twelve differentabsolutely love to be interviewed. They jump at the
lures used to catch sailfish. Or the pros and cons ofchance, for a few reasons. These are the reasons to
joining a fishing club. Or even how the moon can tellkeep in mind when you feel small and silly for
you if itll be a good fishing day.So heres your firstasking:It shows you respect their opinion and/or
assignment. Get out your trusty notebook. (If youjob.It gives them opportunities for publicity of their
dont have one, stop reading and get one. Right now.)business.It gives them the chance to brag to friends
On the first page, write down a list of any and allthat they are quoted in a magazine.It gives them
topics that interest you. Its okay to be general here.something to frame and show clients.Finally, someone
Need some ideas to get you started?Think throughis recognizing their genius and taking an interest in
your whole day. Dont neglect anything. What do youtheir work.Theyre usually wannabe writers, anyway,
do from the moment you wake up until the momentand they will be just as happy to pick your brain to
you fall asleep? You turn off your alarm clock. (Anfind out how you got the job.Before you approach
article about alarm clocks disrupting valuable sleepexperts:Make sure you already have your questions
stages! Or waking up to music versus waking up tomapped out, at least briefly. What exactly do you
that annoying beeping sound. Or the optimal numberneed to know from this person? What could this
of times to press the snooze button.) You brushperson tell you that no one else can? Avoid yes or
your teeth. (Article: What all those toutedno questions. Ask open-ended questions that could
ingredientsfluoride, peroxide, baking sodareally do forlead to lengthy responses chock full of great quotes.
your teeth.) You take a shower. Maybe with yourAlso, have a synopsis of your planned article ready,
significant other. Lucky you. (Romantic showers forso you can tell your expert what youre writing and
two.)Moving on. You go to work. This is the mosthow they can supplement your knowledge.How to
obvious area of expertise. Lets say youre aapproach experts:Get on the phone. Have your idea
secretary. How ergonomic office equipment can savecondensed into 2-3 sentences, so you can quickly
you from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, an achy back,explain yourself to whomever answers the
and a stiff neck. How to avoid screaming at yourphone.Hello. My name is Jenna, and Im writing an
boss when hes a total idiot. Five couples (orarticle about the rise in vegetarianism among young
ex-couples) share their wisdom about dating in thewomen in Nevada for Youth In Nevada Magazine. I
office. Think about what cover story would enticeknow Dr. Spuds is a well-respected nutritionist, and
you to pay three dollars for a magazine. You dontIm hoping she would be willing to answer a few
have to have the knowledge to actually write thequestions on this subject.At this point, the secretary
article yet. You just have to know you can get thiswill say, Hold, and make you listen to elevator musak
information later.Next, you come home. Whatwhile she summons the boss. Or shell take down
happens? Do you have kids? Great! A wealth ofyour number and have Dr. Spuds call you back. Or it
article ideas. You could write about childcare agencies,will be Dr. Spuds herself, and shell say, What do you
potty training, decoding teenage slang, teaching tablewant to know?Your options at this point are (1) Ask
manners youre getting the idea now, right? Run withquestions over the phone, right then and there. Make
it!Write at least one page of general topics thatsure you check to make sure your expert is not
interest you, then weed out the most interestingpressed for time before you begin. (2) Set up a
ones. Narrow it down to three or four. Then writephone date to conduct the interview. (3) Ask if you
those three or four topics on top of brand newcan meet in person. This is goodalmost necessaryif
pages. Now fill up those pages with specific articlethe person will be the focus of your article. If the
angles. Just write. Dont edit yourself. Dont judge. Justperson is being used just to add a few quotes, you
write whatever pops into your head. If you needdont have to meet in person, because its unlikely
motivation, play it like a game of Scattergories. Set ayoull ever need to write, Dr. Spuds wrinkled her brow
timer for ten minutes. See how many ideas you canand stared into her pea soup as she explained that
jot down before the timer sounds.Keep in mind thatyoung women are becoming more health-conscious.
there are markets for almost any conceivable topic.(4) Trade e-mail addresses and send over a list of
Dont limit yourself to the headlines youd read inquestions. This approach isnt usually the best,
Vogue and Good Housekeeping. Betweenbecause it doesnt allow you to react to, and build
newspapers, consumer magazines, trade magazines,from, information you gain in answers to previous
e-zines, tabloids, literary journals, and more, yourequestions. However, if the publication will not
bound to find an appropriate publication for your Bigreimburse you for long distance phone calls, and you
Idea.You want to know more about these markets?have to conduct a lengthy interview, e-mail
Read on!Researching the MarketsFirst, youll need aexchanges are acceptable. Just make ! sure you
few definitions:Consumer Magazines: These typicallyspecify a due date for the responses. Be
pay the best. These are the types of magazines youreasonabletry to give the expert a week to answer
might find in a grocery store check-out line,all your questions.The SalesOkay, you sent out your
convenience store, in your airplane seat pocket, orkiller query, and you got a phone call from an editor
your doctors office. Types of consumer mags: mens,with the big news: you got the assignment!
womens, special interest, inflight, teens, schoolCongratulations, you! Go on and do a little dance of
career, travel, health, ethnic/minority, political,joy, then crash back to reality with your new mantra:
entertainment, romance, religious, etc. This is the areaGET IT IN WRITING. Make sure the editor tells you
most writers try to break into.Literary Magazines:that a written contract is forthcoming in the near
These dont pay much, if at all. However, what theyfuture.If youve researched your market, you
lack in moolah, they make up for in prestige. If youreprobably already have an idea of the pay rate, but
looking to jump-start your career as a fiction writerbe sure to cover this ground in that initial phone call if
or poet, your best chance at recognition may comethe editor fails to mention it. Important things to
in the form of one of these small publications. Oftenremember:On Publication vs. On AcceptanceYou not
published by colleges and universities, their circulationonly need to know how much youll be paid, but also,
is usually regional and low. They generally seekwhen youll be paid. Many markets want to pay you
scholarly essays, intellectually challenging prose,on publication. This can be a problem, because many
poetry, and book reviews. Publishers will bemagazines and journals have long lead times.
impressed if you succeed in placing your work in one(Translation: a long time between when they assign
of the more prominent journals (Cimarron Review,you the article and when it actually ends up in print.)
Ploughshares, and Story, for example).Trade Journals:If you write an article in January, and it doesnt get
Pay varies greatly. Any publication that focuses on apublished until November, you probably wont see a
particular occupation/industry falls into this category.check until December. Do you want to wait a year
This is where your expertise can shine. There areto get paid? Can you wait that long? This is a point
trade journals for almost every line of work, from artyou absolutely can negotiate. Ask for payment on
dealers to truck drivers. In general, your writtenacceptance. If this is refused, it gives you a little
eloquence is not as important as your research andleverage to work with on the other issues, which
timely knowledge for these publications.E-Zines: PayareKill FeesIf you get the assignment, and, for
varies greatly. Simply put, e-zines are simplywhatever reason, an editor decides not to print your
magazines on the Internet. The only major differencearticle, you can negotiate for a kill fee. This is a
is that articles for e-zines can usually run longer thanpercentage of the sale price. If you are offered $200
print magazines. (No printing costs, so space isnt asto write an article, you may get a $50 kill fee. Its a
important an issue for e-zine editors.) Most e-zineswell known fact that big publications kill articles all the
dont pay (except by means of a byline) but thistime. Some editors admit to assigning 10-20% more
trend is changing. The most popular sites and Wired,than they could ever fit in the magazine. They do
for example) pay quite well. Topics stretch as widethis so they can pick and choose from the final
as your imagination.Now that you know, learn how toproducts, or so they can see how things fit once the
contact them!There are tons of ways to findlayout is complete. Some articles will be pushed back
markets that are open to freelancers. If you wereto other issues, and some will just be trashed.BiosWe
paying attention, you might notice that this verylike them. Those are the little blurbs that often follow
website is looking for writers! Finding places to submitan article, giving short biographical information about
your work is easy if you know where to look.First,the writer, and sometimes an e-mail address or
the most important tool in a freelancers toolbox isphone number. Ask for one if you can.Sidebars and
The Writers Market. Available at any majorPhotosThose are the little factoids or columns that
bookstore, this is an annual compilation of more thanrest next to the main article. For example, in an
2,000 magazines, 1,000 book publishers, and evenarticle about exercise, youll often see a little chart on
specialized markets like greeting cards, script writing,the side that tells how many calories are burned by
and syndicates.The next best tools are online. Luckydoing specific exercises (riding a bike, climbing a hill,
you! Theyre free. Absolute Markets is a weeklyetc.). If you can suggest sidebars, you can often get
e-zine filled with market guidelines, contest listings,extra pay. Same goes for photos. If youve got a
and marketing tips. Freelancing4Money puts out adecent camera and a good eye, offer photos for a
jam-packed e-zine filled with freelance opportunities.few extra bucks.To Spec or Not To SpecEspecially
Writer's Digest has a great, searchable database ofas a novice writer, youll sometimes get asked to
markets. Writing For Dollars has a biweeklywrite an article on speculation. This means that youll
newsletter with market guidelines, and a searchablehave to write the whole article and submit it without
database on the website. And Writers Weekly listsa contract, or any promise of payment. Its a bone of
calls for writers and market guidelines each week.Youcontention among professional writers, because
can even run a search for freelance writers on anyalmost no other field works this way. Its never do
major search engine, and youre likely to come upthe job, and then Ill decide if I feel like paying you.
with tons of listings. Try specifying if possible; addOnly in this crazy business. Harrumph.That said, I
words that fit your needs. (Example: paying markets,advise you to take spec assignments in the beginning.
romance, teen magazines.)So, your next assignmentOnce youre established, you shouldnt need to do
is this: go back to your trusty notebook and pick outthis, but in order to build up your resume and your
your very favorite idea. That will now be known asclips, you need to get published. So go ahead and
your Big Idea. Pick the markets that best fit yoursubmit on spec, and go ahead and do a few free
idea. Choose several. Find out if you can get a freenearly free pieces for the experience.Before
or discounted sample copy. (Writers often can, if yousubmitting anything, though, make sure you know in
specify that you would like to query them in theadvance what the terms will be if the editor does
future.) Request writers guidelines if available. Itsuse your piece. How much will you be paid? What
considered poor form to query publications thatrights will they buy?Even many of the big markets
youve never read, or know nothing about. Do yourhave adopted the practice of requesting pieces on
best to read at least one copy of whateverspec. They do this because they can get away with
magazine or journal you plan to query. Check yourit. Because there are thousands of wannabe writers
library for copies if you prefer not to go brokeout there who will beg, borrow, and steal for the
researching.Got it now? You have your idea, andchance to be published. So, if you want to compete,
youve found places to submit it? Great! Then you'llsometimes youll have to suck it up and accept this.
need to learn proper protocol for writing andOnce the publication accepts one of your spec
submitting the Killer Query.The Killer QueryThe job ofpieces, youll be a much more likely candidate for an
the query letter is to entice an editor to say, Hey! Idoutright assignment next time.Rights to WriteThere
be interested in learning more about that. Therefore,are several kinds of rights a publication may buy:First
you dont want to spill all your secrets and researchNorth American Serial RightsThe newspaper or
yet. You want to tease and tantalize. Now thatmagazine has the right to publish this piece for the
youve got your fabulous Big Idea, your job is tofirst time in any periodical. All other rights belong to
condense (or expand) that idea into two to threethe writer.One-Time RightsThe publication buys the
paragraphs.To illustrate the components of a killernonexclusive right to publish the piece once. The
query, here is an example of one of mine (usingwriter can sell the same article to other publications
fictitious contact infosorry!) that landed me thesimultaneously.Second Serial Rights (or Reprint
assignment:Jenna Glatzer(Always use proper formalRights)Also nonexclusive. Gives the publication the
letter format)right to reprint an article that has appeared
123 My Addresselsewhere.Electronic RightsCovers CD-ROMs, e-zines,
My City, State, Zip Codewebsite content, games, etc. Get in writing which
(555) 555-5555Mr. Joe Shmoeelectronic rights are specified-- First Electronic Rights,
(Make SURE to get a name of the appropriatearchiving rights, etc. Most publications ask for the
department College Life 101right to archive "indefinitely." You can try to negotiate
editor. Never address a letter to editor orfor a fixed term (i.e., archiving rights for six
submissions.)months).All RightsPretty self-explanatory. You can
123 Their Addressnever sell this piece to anyone else again. Try to
Their City, State, Zip CodeTodays Date, 2003Dearavoid this one. Most publications ask for First Serial
Mr. Shmoe:Rights.Work-For-Hire Rights-- The publication has
(Colons are used in formal letters. Commas are usedcome up with the idea and assigned it to you, and
in friendly letters.)Think company cars, expensethey will own it, lock, stock, and barrel. They own
accounts, and a spacious office with bay windows.the copyright and don't even have to give you credit.
Who do you picture running a business thisIt may be sliced, diced, repackaged, re-sold, etc., and
successful?(Start the letter with a zinger thatyou won't have any claim to it beyond what you
captures the essence of your proposed article/story.were originally paid.TV/Motion Picture RightsAlso
Raise a question that will cause the reader to think,self-explanatory. Almost always exclusive.Recycling
or give a visual image anything that will make him/herYour Big IdeasThis is the bread and butter of
want to read on and find out what youre talkingfreelance writing. Its also called re-slanting. Once
about.)Think again. This company was the brainchildyouve got the Big Idea, dont waste it by only using
of three Boston University sophomores whoseit once. Use the information youve gathered and
ambitions led them to thriving careers before theycome up with off-shoot ideas. Slant it to appeal to
had diplomas to hang on the wall.(The rest of thedifferent markets.Youre afraid because of the issue
first paragraph should give a concise description ofof rights that we just discussed, right? (No pun
the focus of your proposed article. Remember to tellintended.) Well, you have nothing to fear, provided
why its appropriate to the publication youre querying.the new article is sufficiently different in content and
In this case, I was targeting a college magazine, so Iintended audience. If youve managed to sell your
made sure to emphasize the relevance to theirarticle to a major national magazine, it is considered
subject matter early in the letter.)Charles Strader,poor form to try to sell a re-slanted version to
Richard Skelton, and Pablo Mondal run Net One, ananother national magazine.However, if youre dealing
Internet Service Provider. The three met in thewith regional, specialized, or small publications, there
freshmen dorms, then moved into an apartmentshould be very little overlap of intended audience.
together. Opportunity knocked when Strader, whoTherefore, an editor from Alabama Aristocrats would
worked for the universitys computer center, took aprobably never know if you sold a re-slanted version
phone call from the owner of a hair salon. She soughtof your piece to Guitarists Today. Even if they did
help designing a website; Strader volunteered, andknow, they almost certainly would not care.It is
Net One was born.(Again, concisely, get a littlestandard and accepted practice, for the simple
deeper into the content of the article. What is specialreason that it is darn difficult to make a living as a
about your story? In this case, I wanted towriter. If you have the choice between making $100
emphasize that these guys were college buddies whofor selling your piece to one small publication, or
started a booming business by branching out frommaking $1000 by selling altered versions to eight
their humble beginning.)Working closely with friends todifferent small publications, which would you
build something we believe in is Mondals favorite perk.choose?Re-slanting an article is easy, since youve
Skelton agrees. We have great trust in each other,already done the bulk of the research. Scrounge up a
and feel that were all in this together.(Quotationsfew new quotes, and use the information you left
arent necessary in a query, but its nice to giveout of the first article. Focus it on the new desired
something specific to show that you have donemarket.For example, I could sell an article about the
some research into your topic, and that you havehealth benefits of meditation to a fitness magazine. A
access to resources that will enable you to write thefew alterations, and that same article becomes
article well. I wanted to show that I had alreadyReligions Encouraging Meditation for my local
spoken to these guysthey happen to be friends ofnewspapers Society pages. Then it becomes
mineand that they would be upbeat and inspirationalMeditation Makes You Smarter for the college
people to interview. You can accomplish the samemarket. Then, Meditate Your Stress Away for a
effect by including a few quirky facts or surveyworking womans magazine. And I didnt even mention
results youve found out about your topic.)Consideringall those new age/holistic publications. What a field
that their only capital was a computer and a smallday!With just a few more questions posed to your
loan from Straders father, the guys feel verytrusted experts, youve got a whole new article. And,
successful. Were not millionaires, but we have goals,look! Youre becoming an expert yourself. This is how
and were following them, says Skelton. I think thatsyou begin to find your nichea few specific subjects
true success. By any definition, Net Ones roster ofthat you feel comfortable writing about. Ah, soon
more than 50 clients ranging from colleges to Fortunethose journalists will be coming to YOU with their
500 companies attests to their hard work andquestions."The Extras"Once youve gotten a few
talent.(Look, editor. These guys are bigassignments, and feel that youve really embarked on
up-and-comers! Notice I mentioned Fortune 500this as a potential career (or just a part-time
companies. This lets the editor know quickly thatincome-booster), youll want to think about the little
these college guys arent small potatoes. It neatly tiesextras.A nice touch: get yourself some nice
up the opening sentence, which promised an articleletterhead. Splurge a little with your second or third
about guys who have a spacious office, expensepaycheck and invest in professionally printed
accounts, and company car. Now the editor has aletterhead. Presentation does count when submitting
reason to believe that these guys actually are thatyour correspondence to an editor. Avoid cutesy clip
successful.)I propose a 1,000 word profile for yourart of quill pens and inkwells.Also, an invoice. You
Students At Work section.(Shows Ive researchedshould always include an invoice with your completed
their magazine. I know which section this should fit,article. Often, the person you submit the story to is
and Ive read their guidelines to determine annot the same person in charge of sending you a
appropriate word count.)I am a full-time freelancepaycheck. By including an invoice, you can be
writer, and my works have been recently featured inreasonably assured that the billing department will
such publications as 201 Magazine, Collegehave a record of what terms were agreed upon, and
Bound(Notice I mention the most relevant magazineswhen they are supposed to pay you.Receipts: Hold
first. Anything youve had published that might relateonto your postage receipts and your writing-related
to the content, tone, or audience of the proposedsupplies. If writing is your profession, then these can
publication belongs here.)Bliss!, Working Women, andbe tax write-offs. Also, if you are able to negotiate
Video Librarian. Clips are enclosed.(If youve never hadit, editors will often reimburse you for any expenses
anything published, dont distress. Just shut up aboutyou incur while on assignment once you are an
it. Do NOT tell anyone, Though Ive never beenestablished writer. Submit your phone bill (with the
published yet, Im a real go-getter. Less is more. Ifreimbursable call/s circled), your book receipts, your
you keep quiet, they may not even think about thetravel expense receipts, etc. along with your invoice.
fact that you didnt mention your credits. Also, do notMake sure these terms are specified in your
get into a diatribe describing how you edited yourcontract.Youre ready? Good! Get out there and get
high school newspaper. Just a quick list of relevant'em, slugger. Good luck!
writing background. See below for info about clips.)I