| Freelance journalism is not only a way to open a door | | | | current job or other freelance work and work you |
| to a full time reporting job; many prefer the freedom | | | | may do for the newspaper, tell them up front. |
| that freedom that freelancing allows and also the fact | | | | Also considering the migration of newspapers to online |
| that they can start without a college degree. Here's | | | | news, mention any digital skills you have, such as |
| the best way I know of to get assignments at | | | | shooting and editing video, engaging readers online |
| newspapers. | | | | through a community you have created (blog, social |
| First find out if the newspaper uses freelancers. The | | | | media page, etc.), online writing skills, etc. |
| Writer's Market online version currently lists about 360 | | | | When you pitch a newspaper, aim for an editor |
| newspapers, including specialty ones like the American | | | | somewhere between the editor-in-chief and a junior |
| Jewish World and legacy newspapers like the New | | | | editor. A features, lifestyle or city desk editor are |
| York Times. | | | | usually good choices. |
| If you are browsing through newspapers in your library, | | | | While magazine and book editors should never be cold |
| you can determine if they use freelancers by looking | | | | called, a news editor is more likely to see this as a sign |
| for byline tags such as "for the Ashland Tidings," | | | | that you aren't afraid to pick up the phone (a |
| "special to," "special writer," "correspondent," etc. | | | | requirement in reporting). One of the career advisers |
| instead of tags like "of the Ashland Tidings," "staff | | | | at Poynter suggests doing so. |
| writer," etc. | | | | Place your call after, not before, deadline. For a |
| In preparing to pitch an idea to a newspaper editor, get | | | | morning daily, deadline would be the previous evening. |
| a good sense of its style by reading it from front to | | | | For an afternoon daily, deadline would be that morning. |
| back page, paying extra attention to the places they | | | | Weekly papers' deadlines are generally the day before |
| use freelancers. Many papers are online now, and if it's | | | | the paper is published. |
| a good prospect it may be worth paying for an online | | | | One way to write an email pitch is to do a shortened |
| subscription. | | | | version of a magazine query, noting that you have |
| When creating ideas to pitch, check back issues if | | | | more ideas as well and then list them with a couple |
| possible to see if your stories have been covered in | | | | sentences detailing each one. |
| the past year and a half. If a topic in general was | | | | Or instead of leading with a pitch for one idea, |
| covered but you have a fresh angle pitch it, note your | | | | introduce yourself and pitch each idea separately. |
| angle. Newspaper editors love hearing new ideas - if | | | | Conclude with a request to discuss further. If you have |
| they're in tune with their paper/readership. | | | | references, list them. Newspaper editors don't have |
| If you have clips (published articles), select your best | | | | time to fiddle with "references on request." |
| (no more than five). Find out if the editor prefers these | | | | Go over your email with a fine tooth comb. An editor |
| mailed, emailed or uploaded to your website. If you are | | | | expects you will be putting your best foot forward in |
| new to freelance journalism and don't yet have any | | | | this competitive field. All it takes is one typo or factual |
| clips, consider these alternatives... | | | | inaccuracy to get the "delete" button clicked. |
| - Volunteer to write for a community publication or | | | | When you land an assignment, treat it like the gold that |
| website. Write your articles as a journalist would. Avoid | | | | is. This could open the door for future freelance |
| public relations writing when building clips for a | | | | journalism assignments, and it could provide an |
| newspaper. | | | | important clip. |
| - Publish at an online site like Helium. | | | | Be sure you understand the editor's requirements. If |
| - Create a blog that shows your journalism skills. | | | | you're not clear, don't be afraid to ask for clarification. |
| In your pitch, show the editor you take journalism and | | | | They would expect you to do the same with a source. |
| your profession seriously and that you are in tune with | | | | Finally, deliver exactly what is asked for, and you're |
| your community. Be familiar with journalism ethics. If | | | | well on your way to a journalism career! |
| there is any potential conflict of interest between your | | | | |