Here's What an Editor Wants You to Say in Your Pitches
Ever wonder exactly what editors think about pitches or what advice they would give writers? This editor shares his thoughts.
Ever wonder exactly what editors think about pitches or what advice they would give writers? Sam Dylan Finch created a Twitter thread to give you some insights into an editor’s mind. It was started in July of 2019, but I think the advice never grows old. I’ve embedded the thread here, or you can scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the thread roll for easier reading.
I've spent the last couple weeks going through hundreds of pitches from writers (literally! HUNDREDS). And I'm noticing some common mistakes that writers are making when they pitch.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
So here's a thread about pitching an editor, and some stuff you should consider! 🧵✨
Before I get into it, if you're a writer and you've done something on this list, HELLO! ME TOO! I've done everything I'm about to outline here. Except nobody told me not to. So instead of going into self-deprecation mode, allow me to say, "Welcome to the club! It's not just you!"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
I'm sharing this info too bc a lot of the folks who pitch me are marginalized in some way, and they weren't given this information or access to the places this kind of info is shared. (That's why I think it's so important for editors to be active and transparent on social. 🌸)
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
So let's get into this. Here's a list of "hey, maybe don't do this, try this instead" uh, things, when you're pitching an editor. (I'm so eloquent! Look at meeeeee!!)
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
What you're saying when you inform me that this is your first pitch is something like, "This is the first time I've had access to an opportunity like this and/or felt safe enough to pursue it." That's not about YOU, the writer! That's about the industry.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
The wrong editor (boo them!) will hold it against you, so it's a habit I very much want you to break. But also, more importantly, you don't owe this information to ANYONE. Because your ideas can hold their own. You can hold your own. Industry access is a systemic issue!
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Instead of saying it's your first pitch, just Google "how to pitch an editor" & poke around online. And then? Just go for it. There are seasoned writers who send me the sloppiest pitches and newbies who absolutely kill it. Just focus on doing your best! No need to apologize.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
You are allowed to be new at something! And you don't need to apologize for being new at something. Everyone starts somewhere, and most writers started by following the oft-quoted mantra "fake it 'til you make it." I did. You can. We all do! It's okay. ❤️
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
(2) "I've never been published before, I hope that's okay!"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Kind of the same as above re: pitching... but ALSO, that's probably a lie.
More than likely, that's a lie, because most of us have written words somewhere on the internet. (Stay with me, I'll explain.)
Have you written a Twitter thread before? Bam, there's a clip or like, ten. You can use an app like Threader and it will convert it into an article format, or you can just send the thread you wrote!
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
A lot of my own threads were saved like this! https://t.co/emWENijFdS
Facebook posts! Blog posts! Newspaper articles! Instagram captions! If you've written words and put them somewhere, you are published.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
And even if you aren't? It doesn't matter. If you have a strong pitch that shows me you can write and that you've got an awesome idea? Amazing.
Share the content you DO have, and even if it's not "relevant," focus on what you're demonstrating with the clips. Example: "I'm sending along a Twitter thread I wrote — I'm including it because it offers (a glimpse into my voice/perspective/expertise/etc)."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Basically, don't insult yourself when pitching. Focus on your strengths! You don't need to dwell on what you think is "lacking." Even if you don't feel "writer enough," that's fine — you are "hidden gem" enough today, okay? Hold yourself in respect! You have value regardless. 🌸
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
(3) "I want to write about every single aspect of my life experience as it relates to this topic!"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
You THINK you do, eager beaver. But what you actually want to do is either write a book, OR write multiple essays.
When you're crafting a pitch, think about SCOPE. Meaning, how "big" does this topic feel? If it could be a book, it's not an article pitch! If it feels like it could be multiple essays... it probably *is* multiple essays.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
This is the one that I still struggle with. Our excited, writerly brains want to do it ALL. BUT! We have an audience to keep in mind! We need articles to still be digestible. We want them to have a "takeaway," some kind of message that feels succinct and satisfying for a reader.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
So when you're crafting a pitch, think less about "this is what I want this article to say about ME" (which is more of a blog post, yeah?), and more about "this is what I want this article to say TO a specific audience."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
And really distill down that message. It's less about "here's the story I'm telling" and more about "here's what I want a reader to learn from me." And ask yourself, "Is it reasonable to think I can teach someone that in a single piece? And if so, how do I plan on doing that?"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
I know that when you are multiply-marginalized, it's very tempting to include every facet of our identities in every pitch that we write. In actuality, it can really blur the takeaway. "But Sam," you ask me. "I want to be my whole self. How?" I'll tell you! It can be done.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Which leads me to (4) "I have this, this, this, this, AND THIS experience, which will all be present in my essay, I swear."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
All of those experiences matter. All of those experiences are valid.
Not all of those experiences make sense as the FOCUS of your pitch.
I'm going to use myself as an example. I am queer AND mentally ill, and those things absolutely are inseparable for me.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
However, that's not how I go about writing a pitch. Because that's... a really, really big topic.
How can we get more specific than that?
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Rather than saying, "Being queer impacts my experience of mental illness," I might try, "Being queer impacted my PTSD."
Still big. So let's try, "Being queer impacts how/when/why I was diagnosed with PTSD."
Think of it as taking a big idea and letting it branch off into smaller ideas, until you have something that feels truly doable. And from there... think about HOW you're going to tell that story.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Because a lot of pitches introduce a topic, but they don't really unpack HOW the writer intends to invite readers in.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Which leads me to (5) "I'm going to write about this specific topic... somehow."
Can we paint a picture for a minute, to help our dear editor envision it?
Going back to our previous example, let's say I'm going to write about how being queer delayed WHEN I was diagnosed with PTSD (because queerness is sometimes considered synonymous with trauma/expected, yeah?).
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
That's the topic. But there's a lot of ways I could write it.
It could be a listicle, "X Ways That Being Queer Can Delay a PTSD Diagnosis." It could be a personal essay, where I share the story of being diagnosed, and how being queer led me to invalidate the legitimacy of my own diagnosis.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
It could be a reported feature, where I went and interviewed lots of queer people with PTSD, and clinicians who are experts in working with that population, all about the phenomenon of delayed PTSD diagnosing in LGBTQ+ populations!
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
When you pitch, try to help your editor VISUALIZE what your piece is going to look like. And go to the publication itself to see some of the formats they've published in before, or peruse your editor's Twitter account and see what sorts of stuff they've recently worked on!
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
And here's the key... you want to keep all of this concise.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
So (6) "-insert 6000 word pitch that could've been an essay all by itself-"
You want to keep it snappy! It doesn't have to be a long pitch. You just have to be a little clever about how it's all pulled together.
So with my previous example, let's say I'm going with the personal essay format.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
I quickly wrote a sample pitch for this, just to give you a sense of what that pitch might look like, all condensed and stuff!
(I'll break it down, transcribed, in my next tweets!) pic.twitter.com/gYhPCK8z0i
For starters, I opened up by identifying how I found that particular editor. I don't sir/ma'am/Mr/Ms or use any gender identifiers. I keep it neutral:
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
"Hi EDITOR’S NAME,
I saw your call for pitches and wanted to reach out, as I think I have a piece you might be interested in!"
"I’d like to write a personal essay on how, as a queer person, I struggled to accept that I could have PTSD."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Snappy. This tells me format (personal essay), the POV I'm coming from (lived experience), and the theme that pulls it all together (struggling w/ acceptance).
"So many of us just assume that trauma is expected, which leads us to invalidate and normalize our own experiences of it."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
This is where I give it a little more nuance. What is the unique perspective I'm bringing to the table? What is the reader takeaway? Why does this matter?
"I want to use my personal story as an entry point into a larger conversation about how queerness complicates our experiences of PTSD."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
BOOM. There's the "how." Yes, I'm telling my own story, but here's WHY I'm telling it. This is why it matters and how readers will benefit.
"I think this would be a great fit for (PLATFORM)’s readership. You’ve really been opening up some important conversations around trauma, and I’d love to add a little nuance to it!"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
This is where I acknowledge that I'm familiar with the publication, and why it's a good fit!
"Let me know if you’d be interested in this! I have some clips you can check out, here, here, and here [each here is hyperlinked]."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Link out to other content! And if needed, explain why, if the content isn't an article (like I mentioned above with the Twitter threads).
Now this is just a made-up example, and your pitch might look a little different depending on the topic, your experience, and the platform you're pitching to. But this should give you a sense of how to pull this stuff together, especially if you're pitching for the first time!
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
In a nutshell: Your pitch should exist to help the editor understand what you'll be writing, how you'll do it, who you're speaking to, and why it's a good fit for that particular platform.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
It says, "This is what I have to offer and how I'll pull it off."
There are exceptions to every rule, but often times in publishing, you need to have a solid grasp of The Rules before you start breaking them. So the general stuff I've outlined here will hopefully give you that grasp, so then you can carve out your own approach. ❤️
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Which leads me to (7) "You don't know anything about baseball but I'm going to use a bunch of insider terminology!"
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
Make sure you don't assume that your editor shares the level of expertise that you have!
That's my final bit of advice, really. It's okay to showcase the fact that you know stuff, but there's a fine line between "I know a lot about this topic" and "my pitch will only make sense to someone who knows a lot about this topic."
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
It's hard to refine that balance! So unless I have an established relationship with an editor or I'm 100% sure of their background, I tend to hold back a little with "insider language." If my teenaged cousin wouldn't totally get what I'm saying, I likely need to simplify.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
At the risk of turning this Twitter thread into an overwhelming mess, just remember this acronym. PAUSE before you pitch.
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
P - Purpose. What's the point of your piece?
— Sam Dylan Finch 🌿 (@samdylanfinch) July 30, 2019
A - Audience. Who are you talking to?
U - Unique. What's new about your take?
S - Scope. Is it "too big" or just right?
E - Editor. Did you spell their name correctly and review their guidelines/pub? Does your pitch reflect that?
Getting Ghosted by an Editor? Here's Why
Just about any writer that has been working with publications for a year or more has run into the magical disappearing editor. Here's why they disappear and how to solve the problem.
One of the most frustrating things that happens to us freelance writers is an editor that ghosts for no apparent reason. They loved your work and you had a great relationship. Why the silence all the sudden? Why can’t they email you back? Is it your pitches? I’ve had this happen to me many times, and there’s one major reason why editors don’t reply.
Change happens…often
First of all, it’s probably not your fault. In the publication world, editors come and go frequently. And when an editor joins a publication, they get an email address that is specifically for that publication. When the editor moves to a new publication, no on is checking that old email address anymore, so all of your emails go unread.
Why some editors just leave and don’t tell their writers is beyond me. (You’d think they would want to keep their writers happy just incase they need them again in the future.) Once they leave, your connection with that editor is severed…unless…
You keep connected with editors
You need to take action when you make a connection with a new editor. Once you’ve made contact with an editor at a publication, make sure to connect with them on LinkedIn. That way, no matter where their career takes them, you can still get in touch with them about an article idea.
When reaching out, make sure to remind them about who you are in the connection message. Something like, “Hi, Amy. We recently worked together at XYZ Magazine on an article about ghosts in Texas boarding houses. I would love to connect here on LinkedIn.” Chances are, your connection will be accepted, and who knows, they may even offer you another chance to pitch an article.
BTW
If you haven’t heard back after just one email, an editor could have just missed your email. Sending a follow-up with your original message copy and pasted in the new email is always smart after about a week with no reply. If you don’t hear back after a follow-up, the editor may have moved on.
How to Send Out Cold Emails That Get Results
Here are some tips on how to stay on the safe side and make your cold email campaign a success.
Guest post by Michael Deane
Cold email is dead.
How often have you heard this? A lot, most probably.
And still, this strategy has been around for quite some time and still beats the odds. If done right, cold emailing can help you grow your customer base quickly. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to run through your entire marketing budget in order to see results.
Stats say that email generates a 3,800% ROI, which means that for every $1 you invest, you’ll make $38.
However, there’s a risk of slipping into the spam territory if your cold emails aren’t properly crafted.
Here are some tips on how to stay on the safe side and make your cold email campaign a success.
Build a Prospect List
This requirement is an absolute must, and if you really want your cold email outreach to generate results, you should understand that building a prospect list doesn’t mean purchasing it on the internet.
This is a very bad idea because these lists are packed with outdated and incorrect information, not to mention that you have no idea whether these people whose addresses you obtain are your target audience in the first place.
If we bear in mind that data decays very quickly – 30% of people change jobs, 34% of companies change their names, and 37% of email addresses become outdated annually, it’s clear that a list purchased on the internet is an example of dirty data.
But the trouble is not only that you’ll send your campaign to a defunct address, but also that you’ll raise a red flag with your email service provider. Namely, by reaching out to inactive addresses, you risk being marked as a spammer as well as ruining your sender reputation.
This is dangerous because if you’re blacklisted, your emails will be automatically directed to the spam folders of your recipients.
Build your own list by researching publications’ websites, particularly on the About Me and Contact pages. You can also find contacts by googling the publication’s name and the words “submission guidelines.” For example, if you were looking for the editor’s email address at Better Homes and Gardens, you would google “Better Homes and Gardens Submission Guidelines.”
Research Your Target Audience
Most cold email campaigns fail because inexperienced business owners think that it’s enough to collect a number of email addresses and blast out a massive amount of emails.
But, you need to understand your target audience in order to be able to create tailored emails that will resonate with them.
That’s why it’s essential to unearth your prospects’ interests, preferences, and pain points. If you address their issues and offer them a solution, your cold emails won’t fall flat.
So, knowing as much as possible about the publication you’re reaching out to will help you personalize your emails and provide value.
Implement Email Automation
The thing is that you will send cold emails to hundreds and maybe even thousands of recipients, which means that it’s impossible to do it manually and stay on top of everything.
Email automation will help you streamline this entire process and monitor your metrics. It’s the only way to keep track of your opens, clicks, bounces, and other KPIs (key performance indicators).
Advanced email automation tools feature email chatbots that can quickly respond to prospects’ messages and engage them. They’re similar to AI-powered conversational chatbots capable of handling customer questions and issues, as both types of digital workers keep the conversation going and generate business opportunities. Most writers won’t need chatbots, but they can be helpful for answering questions on your website and social media pages.
Personalize Your Emails
You’ll increase your odds of being marked as a spammer if you send generic, mass emails.
Nobody wants to receive email messages that aren’t genuine and personalized, so you have to try harder than that if you want to grab your prospects’ attention.
There are different personalization tactics that can vary in a degree of sophistication, but just using your recipients’ first name won’t suffice. You can use all kinds of information about your prospects such as mentioning a recent article you enjoyed from their publication. It’s also a good idea to use a mutual connection or mention your prospect’s recent accomplishments such as a new job or something similar in order to start a conversation.
Polish Your Subject Line
Using a relevant and catchy subject line is a surefire way to make your email stand out in your recipients’ inboxes. However, this doesn’t mean that you should use deceptive click-bait in order to get them to open your message, as this trick will work only once, if at all.
Asking relevant questions that include your recipients’ pain points is a good tactic as it indicates that you’re going to discuss that issue and offer a solution. Similarly, it’s very important to personalize your subject lines as that will also capture your prospect’s attention. You can get tips on crafting great subject lines here.
Conduct A/B testing to identify what works for your target audience and use your findings for future reference.
Finally, check a list of spam trigger words and phrases, and do your best to avoid using them in your subject line.
This is a round-up of the most important tactics to help you send out effective cold emails that will get your prospects to open, click, and respond. It’s worth mentioning that you shouldn’t give up after just one attempt. Be persistent and follow up at least a couple of times before you call it quits.
Here are 55 subject line ideas to help get you started.
Author Bio
Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael's work at Qeedle.
50+ High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches
I am revealing 20 online and print magazines that are looking for article pitches. Here they are.
High Paying Magazines, Online and Offline, That Want Your Pitches
Like most freelance writers, you have a ton of article ideas and very few places to place them. When you do find a publication to submit to, they pay peanuts. All of your work is worth more! To help you out, I am revealing 50+ online and print magazines that accept freelance submissions in 2020. Here they are.
Need help pitching these magazines? Here’s what you need to know.
Plus, here's what an editor wants you to say in your pitches.
Also, don’t forget to check out High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches: 19 Magazines on Medium that Pay.
Zift
“At Zift we believe being a parent is the most important job in the world. As parents ourselves we understand that smartphones, social media, apps, and other digital media and devices are here to stay, and that in many ways, it’s a good thing. But our relationship with technology is complicated. We struggle with how to understand and navigate our children’s technology use. And our own. So we created the Parent Portal and Parenting Insights blog where we focus on topics that can help us become better parents in a technology-driven world.”
Website: https://wezift.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 per article
ZEKE
“Each issue of ZEKE features photography stories about important global issues. We are seeking writers to craft articles about these issues. Past articles in ZEKE have been on climate change, violence against women, maternal health in Africa, nationalism in Russia, migration, Syria, and other global topics.”
Website: https://www.zekemagazine.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $275-$500 per article
Backpacker Magazine
“Our readers are knowledgeable and experienced backpackers, therefore we accept only authentic, well-researched, well-crafted stories.”
Website: https://www.backpacker.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Online rates range from $150-$250, with average being $175-$200
Travel + Leisure Us
Like the name implies the magazine is filled with content on travel and lifestyle.
Website: www.travelandleisure.com
Contact: submissions@travelandleisure.com
Expected Pay: $1-$2 per word.
Vocal
Vocal accepts submissions to each of their 34 different topic-specific communities, including music, food, fashion, travel and more.
Website: http://www.vocal.media
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $3.80 per 1000 reads
PTO Today
“PTOtoday.com and PTO Today magazine are essential resources for leaders of parent groups (often called parent-teacher organizations) at the 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the United States. Content focuses on helping the volunteer leaders of these groups run their organizations more efficiently and support their schools more effectively.”
Website: https://www.ptotoday.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $125 to $500 per article
cosmo writers
Cosmopolitan (U.S)
Here, articles written on women lifestyle are in high demand.
Website: www.cosmopolitan.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Discover
This is a renowned science magazine that is on the look out for new research stories.
Website: www.discovermagazine.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Writer’s Weekly
“Each year, all year long, we purchase articles for WritersWeekly.com. WritersWeekly is distributed to thousands of freelance writers and authors across the globe every week (of course). “
Website: https://writersweekly.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $60 per article
Dwell
If you know architectural design and home design, this is where you should most likely make your pitch because they are definitely on the look out for people like you.
Website: www.dwell.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Lisa Tanner Writing
“I love featuring work from other mompreneurs, and am currently accepting some guest posts.”
Website: https://lisatannerwriting.com/blog
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 per article
Eating Well
This magazine is interested in articles that are geared towards promoting healthy eating habit and also disseminating information on eating traditions and cultures.
Website: http://www.eatingwell.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Funds for Writers
“FundsforWriters is an online resource for writers. You can be a thirty-year veteran or a part-time wannabe, but here at FundsforWriters (FFW), we consider you a writer none-the-less. We emphasize finding money to make writing a realistic career. Of course, you’d write anyway. That’s the way of a writer.”
Website: https://fundsforwriters.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 per article
Early American Life
This magazine is concerned about disseminating information regarding American lifestyle and culture.
Website: http://www.ealonline.com/
Contact: queries@firelandsmedia.com
Expected Pay: $500 minimum per piece.
Successful Freelance Mom
“FreelanceMom is a community for moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. We believe the landscape has completely changed and that there is no better time for parents to be a freelancer or solopreneur. If you agree with us, then we want to hear from you! We love hearing case-studies and other moms’ stories – and we’ll even pay you for them!”
Website: https://successfulfreelancemom.com/blog/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Between $75 to $100 per article
Fortune
fortune magazine pitches
This magazine is on the lookout for business stories and pieces generally tacking management and leadership issues.
Website: www.fortune.com
Contact: Emails
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
MoneyPantry
“MoneyPantry is a personal finance blog with a focus on helping you earn & save more money. We scour the world to bring you extraordinary, unusual, yet practical ways of making and saving more of that all-important dough!”
Website: https://moneypantry.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $30-$150 per article
Glamour
This is a women’s magazine that features articles on beauty, fashion, current affairs etc.
Website: www.glamour.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Good Housekeeping
This magazine focuses on enlightening the masses on lifestyle.
Website: www.goodhousekeeping.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1.5 per word.
Brides
This magazine covers everything ranging from wedding planning and innovative ideas as regards wedding.
Website: www.brides.com
Contact: “We’re always looking for experienced, qualified writers with a bridal background who share in our mission to provide practical, inspirational and useful content that truly helps people plan this important occasion. If that’s you, send a few examples of your work to this email: write@brides.com” From their About Us Page
Expected Pay: Between $2-$3 per word
Catholic Digest
Here, essays that supports Catholicism are highly appreciated and favored.
Website: http://www.catholicdigest.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: From $500 upwards.
Consumers Digest
This magazine is interested in articles that reviews new products from the customers' point of view.
Website: : www.consumersdigest.com
Contact: editorial@consumersdigest.com
Expected Pay: $1 per word
Longreads
If you are a creative writer that can produce quality fictional and nonfictional essays, this is where you should pitch your work. The standard word limit is from 1,500 words and above.
Website: www.longreads.com
Contact: hello@longreads.com
Expected Pay: $500 per essay.
Maxim (U.S)
This is a men’s magazine that covers the regular topics men are concerned about: women, sports, relationships, sex, careers.
Website: www.maxim.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word
Psychology Today
This magazine is interested in articles that talks about the current in the field of social psychology.
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Vibrant Life
“Vibrant Life is a bimonthly lifestyle magazine that promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective.”
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
The Sun Magazine
“The Sun is a reader-supported ad-free magazine. We’ve been described in many ways: celebratory, fierce, unflinching, thoughtful, truthful, dark, darkly funny, tender. “
Website: http://www.thesunmagazine.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word – so you could be earning as much as $1000 for a 1000-word article.
Radish Magazine
“Radish is a monthly magazine dedicated to improving our readers' health through the natural foods, products and services of western Illinois and eastern Iowa.”
Website: https://qconline.com/radish/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 to $150 per article
Parenting
“Today’s Family Fun covers fun entertainment for families.”
Website: https://www.parents.com/familyfun-magazine/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1.25 per word
CopyHackers
Website: https://copyhackers.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $300 to $1000 per article
Vox
This is a news site that covers everything ranging from politics to business. So, make sure you tailor your pitch to their needs.
Website: www.vox.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $500 per piece.
Upworthy
This publication focuses on shinning a light on important topics.
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $200 per article
The American Scholar
This magazine is interested in articles on history, public affairs and culture.
Website: https://theamericanscholar.org
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Up to $500 per featured piece.
DivvyHQ
“Provide content managers and producers with insights, inspiration, and practical guidance in an effort to help them simplify and be more efficient and effective in their day-to-day battle within the trenches of corporate marketing/communications departments.”
Website: https://divvyhq.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $250 to $400 per article
Outside
“To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle.”
Website: https://www.outsideonline.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $0.50/word and up
Vogue
Website: www.vogue.com
Contact: contact@vogue.com
Submission Address: Condé Nast 4 Times Square 12th Floor New York NY 10036-6518
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
Vibrant Life
“Vibrant Life is a bimonthly lifestyle magazine that promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective.”
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
Outside/In
“Outside/In is a show about the natural world and how we use it. When time and budgets allow, we are delighted to work with freelance producers and reporters.“
Website: http://outsideinradio.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $800 to $2,000 per article
Prism
“Prism is a BIPOC-led nonprofit news outlet that centers the people, places, and issues currently underreported by national media. Through our original reporting, analysis, and commentary, we challenge dominant, toxic narratives perpetuated by the mainstream press and work to build a full and accurate record of what’s happening in our democracy.”
Website: https://www.prismreports.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $.40/word
Smarter Living!
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/section/smarter-living
Contact: tim@nytimes.com
Expected Pay: $1 per word
Supermajority Education Fund
“Supermajority News, a project of Supermajority Education Fund, reports on the news stories that impact women’s lives.”
Website: https://supermajority.com/news/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Prices range from $175 (for social-first content) to $400 (for longer features)
Global Voices
“We are a global network of bloggers and online activists dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and free access to information online. “
Website: https://advox.globalvoices.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $150 per article
Mental Floss
“We’re always looking for new voices to write about the diverse verticals we cover, whether that's history, science, entertainment, language, pop culture, art, or beyond.”
Website: https://www.mentalfloss.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $125 and up per article
CNTraveler.com
“Condé Nast Traveler aims to inspire travel and inform readers about the world around us. We cover travel in a way that helps people travel better, smarter, and more safely. We are committed to telling reported and personal stories about traveling, with inclusive coverage that includes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities.”
Website: CNTraveler.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $300 and up for articles
UX Writers Collective Blog
Contact: Pitch your ideas to blog@uxwriterscollective.com
Expected Pay: $100 for articles
BBC Worklife
“BBC Worklife is a BBC.com features site about work, life and everything in between. As part of BBC Global News, we are interested in the big economic, social and technological trends changing our lives, and try to find the most fascinating stories from all over the world which make these trends relevant and accessible for a younger audience.”
Website: BBC.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $600 per article
Lacuna Voices
“Lacuna Voices was formed to bridge a gap in the mainstream media for topics that matter to so many people but are rarely given the column inches they deserve. Here, we’ll give our interviewees and writers a space to speak their truth without a need for us as the publisher to set an agenda, use salacious headlines or produce a feature more outrageous than the last.“
Website: https://www.lacunavoices.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: £100 for 1000 words
Broccoli Magazine
“Broccoli is a magazine for cannabis lovers, but only some of what we publish directly references weed. We love fresh, informed, personal takes on film, music, fashion, and design—either of the moment or treasures from the past—as well as pieces about history and unexpected themes, especially when they include little-known people and things that might be of interest to Broccoli readers, who are funny, informed, curious, and smart.”
Website: https://broccolimag.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $.40-$.50/word, with flat rates for shorter pieces in the $75-$100 range
Teaching Tolerance
“Please keep in mind that ours is a national audience of K–12 educators interested in social justice and anti-bias topics. We suggest that prospective writers become familiar with Teaching Tolerance’s style of writing and content before contacting us.”
Website: https://www.tolerance.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per published word
National Geographic
“The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”
Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $0.5 per word
Pathfinders Travel Magazine
Website: https://pathfinderstravel.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $150 for articles
5 Tips for Finding Remote Writing Gigs
Here’s how to find remote writing gigs that are perfect for you and your freelance lifestyle.
Guest Post by Desiree Villena
Of course, in order to flourish as a freelance writer, you need jobs. And to find jobs, you need to know how to optimize your presentation and communications with clients on sites like Indeed, Mediabistro, Upwork, and more. I’m here to give you five actionable tips on how to do just that, so you can find remote writing gigs that are perfect for you and your freelance lifestyle! Let’s get to work.
Tip #1: Construct a detailed, eloquent profile
The two main elements of any professional profile are a) the work you’ve done and skills you possess, and b) the manner in which you present this information. A strong freelance writing profile must excel in both areas. Sloppily listing off your achievements is a self-defeating exercise; likewise, a flowery mission statement is worth nothing if it lacks concrete details.
You’d be shocked how many online freelancer profiles fail at either detail or eloquence, and sometimes both. Fortunately, this means it’s easy to stand out from the crowd with just a bit of effort! If you’ve never constructed a thorough résumé, or haven’t revised your existing one in some time, now’s the time to see where you can improve.
Start with basic information. Have you mentioned your education and degree, if relevant? An English, journalism, or communications degree shows that you’ve invested in a writing career. Next, move onto work experience. Emphasize roles where you’ve done lots of writing, or even worked “writing-adjacent” (as a copyeditor, for example). Finally, if you can think of any other special skills or outstanding achievements, list those as well.
Once you’ve compiled all that, it’s time to make it look nice. Though you don’t want to go overboard, include a couple of descriptive bullet points per job title, and employ professional yet creative language to demonstrate that you are, in fact, a talented writer. And before you upload your profile anywhere, have someone else check it for errors. Nothing’s more embarrassing than having the wrong form of “they’re”/”their”/”there” on your writing-based résumé.
Tip #2: List your profile under multiple categories
Speaking of uploading your profile to job sites, not only should you take advantage of every freelance platform at your disposal, but you should also list yourself under as many categories within those platforms as possible. For example, on Upwork you can select multiple writing categories such as article and blog writing, copywriting, and technical writing. You can even create specialized profiles to appeal to different types of clients!
But besides that, consider listing your profile under semi-related categories (admin, marketing, SEO, etc.) in order to gain more prospects. It might seem counterproductive to target clients who aren’t necessarily looking for writers — yet in today’s hyper-competitive job market, it never hurts to cast a wider net. And in my experience, posting your profile outside of writing-related categories is one of the best ways to find hidden gems with minimal competition.
This is because just about every company needs writers for something, and competent writers are surprisingly hard to find. So if they happen upon your profile while looking to fill an admin role, they might be a bit confused, but mainly impressed by what you have to offer — and will likely contact you either for the job at hand (which may involve a small amount of writing), or for a higher-paying gig that involves more writing. Either way, you’ve made a valuable connection, not least because it provides an opportunity for the following…
Tip #3: Build a diverse portfolio of writing samples
Even the most silver-tongued profile can only do so much to convey your true writing prowess. To show clients you’ve got the skills to pay the bills, you’ll also need a strong collection of writing samples — ideally from several different projects. For example, in my portfolio I have listicles, how-to guides, a few “topical” articles, and even one technical piece that breaks down a complex process into manageable steps.
Needless to say, these writing samples should be as polished as possible, ready to submit at a moment’s notice. So if you wrote your most interesting pieces years ago, make sure they’re updated to your current standard of quality. And if you don’t have any quality writing samples, there’s no time like the present to create some; don’t wait until someone asks! Depending on the platform, you may be able to upload them as part of your profile.
Not only is it more professional to have samples ready right away, it’s also way less stressful than being forced to pull something out of thin air. And if a client does ask you to create a new sample based on a specific prompt, at least you’ll have some similar work to reference. Of course, not every client will do this, or even ask for writing samples at all — but writers hoping to secure long-term writing gigs (such as company content writing or ghostwriting jobs for authors) should always be prepared to offer them up.
Tip #4: Seek out clients yourself
Though there’s certainly something to be said for letting writing jobs come to you, this article is about how to find them yourself. This means that even after perfecting your profile, settings, and samples, you still need to proactively apply for gigs — especially if you’re just starting out.
The obvious way to do this is to search for them on your job site(s) of choice. Though each writer will have their own preferences, my recommendation is to stick to gig-based sites like Upwork and Textbroker if you’re still relatively new to the freelance writing game, and only consult job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed once you’ve got a few years of experience and you’re searching for a long-term, in-house writing or editing position.
In terms of the “newbie” sites, it’s easy to experiment with different keywords to discover gigs that suit you. Once you find one you’re interested in, submit a brief message or cover letter; this should be tailored to the gig, within reason. Consider creating a few cover letter templates, say for copywriting vs. technical writing vs. blogging, so you can quickly pick the most effective one, personalize the greeting, and shoot it off.
Again, today’s freelance job market is a numbers game, and on most platforms you have to send loads of messages just to get a single response. That said, once you’ve built up your portfolio and the job requests start rolling in, make sure to remember this next tip.
Tip #5: Don’t bite off more than you can chew
Perhaps it’s a bit premature to give this tip to readers who are just dipping their toes into the pool of freelance writing. But honestly, it’s never too early to learn the most crucial lesson of freelancing: don’t take on so much that you burn yourself out.
Almost every freelancer remembers a time when they had to work 50, 60, 70 hours a week or more to make ends meet. So even when they’re financially comfortable and can afford to take fewer jobs, there’s still that internal pressure to say yes to everything just in case.
From the bottom of my heart, I urge you not to do this. Not only is it mentally and physically taxing, but juggling too many jobs will almost inevitably result in one of them being dropped — either shoddily completed, or not completed at all. Clients will notice, they’ll give you negative feedback, and your job success rate/star rating/whatever metric will drop. The ironic result of taking on too many jobs is that you end up exactly where you feared: not being able to get any.
So know your limits and politely turn down work that pushes you beyond them, especially if it’s not part of your skill set — for example, marketing a book that you helped ghostwrite. And though most freelancers have to hustle when they’re just starting out, just keep in mind that there will come a time when you’ll be overwhelmed with job requests, and that it’s in both your personal and professional best interests to only take those you need.
Indeed, all these tips should help you balance those interests as you search for freelance writing jobs. It might take some perseverance, but if you work hard to stand out and follow through with high-quality writing, you’ll have your pick of the freelance litter in no time.
Freelancing guide: Everything you need to know about pitching
Pitching the the epicenter of the freelance writer’s world, so it is important to know what it is and how to do it properly to keep cash flowing in. Here’s what pitching is and how to do it the right way to get results.
Pitching the the epicenter of the freelance writer’s world, so it is important to know what it is and how to do it properly to keep cash flowing in. Here’s what pitching is and how to do it the right way to get results.
What is pitching?
Pitching is basically the act of sending out ideas to publications in hopes that they will like your awesomesauce idea and have you write the idea in the form of an article, blog post, ebook, avertisment, web copy, ect. Its definition also extends to the act of contacting people and companies to get new gigs.
Writers need to be constantly reaching out through pitches to keep money flowing into their business. My motto is, “Keep 12 pitches in play to keep the bills at bay.” That means send out 12 pitches, and when one comes back, send out another one.
Pitching awesomesauce
After more than 20 years as a freelance writer, I know what an editor wants in a pitch, and what they don’t want. Here’s a basic outline of what a good pitch consists of:
A zazzy subject title- Grab the editor’s attention so they will open your email. The only exception to this is if the publication’s guidelines state a phrase or word that you should specifically put in the subject line. Don’t know how to find a publication’s guidelines? Get a copy of Writer’s Market. It’s all in there.
Introduction- This starts with a hello and why you are contacting the editor. Something like, “Hello Jane, (yes, make sure to use the editor’s name!) I saw that you are in need of xyz ideas for ABC Magazine. So, I would like to pitch you my idea for an article on xyz.” If you're applying for a gig, tell them!
An outline- Here you will briefly layout what your article idea is about and why it’s special. Only write one to two paragraphs, tops! Editors want you to get to the point, and if you can’t describe your article in two paragraphs, you probably need to go think out the idea a little more, anyway.
Credentials- Any information about where you have previously written (if you have written anywhere, if not, leave it out) and three links to clips or a link to your portfolio. If you think your experience on the topic is impressive, put it after the intro.
Close- I always like to end my pitches with something like, “Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to working with you soon.” Then, sign off with your name.
That’s it. Sometimes I switch things up, but this is the basic outline of a good pitch.
Examples of pitches that worked
Okay, those steps seems simple, but what do they look like in action? Here’s a couple of pitches that I’ve written that got me an assignment. This first one got me a byline on Rachael Ray’s site.
Dear Princess Gabbara,
I am a freelance writer with 20 years of experience writing health, tech and lifestyle articles and blogs. I have worked with many large sites, such as CBS, MTV, MSN, USA Today, Digital Trends and CNET.
Google Home, Alexa, Facebook Portal...Which One is Right for Me?
This article would focus on how to choose the right home assistant for your family's needs. I have written extensively about each one, so I know what they offer and how they can benefit different types of users.
Topics I would cover:
-Which is best for home chefs?
-Which one allows you to organize your life easily?
-Which one is best for keeping in touch with long-distance family and friends?
I would write the article in a friendly and informative style.
You can see some examples of my work here: https://abradford.contently.com/ Thanks for your time!
Many thanks,
Alina Bradford
This next pitch got me a writing gig at Family Handyman. Notice this isn’t an article pitch, but a pitch for a gig opening.
Hi Berit,
I saw your need for DIY freelancers. I have been writing DIY content (particularly smart home topics) for many years. My work has been published by CNET, Digital Trends, CBS, MTVNews, Everyday with Rachael Ray and many more. I would love to join your team. Here are some links to my work:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/how-to-talk-to-samuel-l-jackson-using-alexa
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-get-google-home-to-play-your-youtube-playlist/
https://www.rachaelraymag.com/whats-new/how-to-pick-the-right-video-smart-tech-for-your-home
You can learn more about me here: LinkedIn
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Alina Bradford
You’ve got the goods
I know, you’re probably thinking, “Well, ya, the editor gave you a chance! Look at your credentials!” Let me tell you, I’ve been using this method of pitching from the beginning. It works, as long as you have a great article idea or can convenience the editor that you’re the person for the job. If you don’t have on-the-job experience, tell the editor:
How the topic has been a lifelong hobby or passion
About training you received that relates to the topic/gig
You know experts that can be interviewed for this piece and/or any in the future
Life experience you’ve had with the topic (raising a special needs child, caring for ailing parents, mental health issues, parenting multiples, beating cancer, etc.)
The fact that you know SEO and writing compelling calls to action
Follow up
After you send a pitch, follow up. Sometimes an editor will miss your message the first time. A good rule of thumb is to wait two weeks, then send a little something like this:
Hi Jane,
I’m just checking in on the pitch/application I sent you two weeks ago. I’ve pasted it below for your convenience.
Thanks for your time and consideration!
Alina Bradford
Keep track of your pitches
As you send out pitches, you need to keep a record of what ideas you sent out, what gigs you applied for and the details. After all, you need to know when to follow up and you need to remember their rates for future negotiations. Things you need to note include:
Your pitch idea or gig position
The publisher name or potential client
Date you sent the pitch
When to follow up
Contact details
Pay rates (if you know them)
You can write all of this information in a notebook or type it up in a spreadsheet. If you’re not sure how to set up your tracking, I’ve created a workbook to keep all of your pitches in and you can get the No-Fluff Pitch Tracker on Amazon, or you can get spreadsheets to print out here.
Quick tips for pitching
Always double-check spelling and grammar
Always use the editor’s name if you know it
Make the email’s subject line an attention grabber
Be your own hype man
Keep track of pitches
Follow up in two weeks
Want to learn how to make a successful living as a freelance writer? Get the No-Fluff Freelance Writer Starter Pack. Only $29.97.
How To Pitch Magazines: A Writer's Guide for Getting Published
Here is a step-by-step guide to writing and pitching your article to a magazine.
Lately, one of the biggest questions I've gotten from new writers is how to pitch a magazine. For the modern freelance writer, the online world of published articles and opportunities to be featured in well-known magazines is daunting and intimidating. There's a right way to propose your pitch to the editor of a magazine – which means there's a wrong way, too.
There is so much competition out there for that spot to feature your article that it's worth taking the time to work out how to approach the big wigs and make a name for yourself. Here is a step-by-step guide to writing and pitching your article to a magazine.
pitching to magazines
1. Research
Doing your research is paramount. You have to know the magazine you're pitching to reasonably well to know exactly how to address them. Read their latest publication and find out what kind of material they are most interested in. Then, read the last six issues. Really, get to know the style and type of article they like. I'm not kidding. Do the leg-work.
2. Deciding on a form of contact
Once you've done your research and have familiarized yourself with the magazine, you need to work out whether to send an email or a letter. For the most part, email is best for this initial approach – it allows you to be brief in your proposal but clear in what you're trying to achieve. Editors don't have time to read an essay.
3. Getting the contact information
Finding the email address of the right section editor can be tricky. Here are some tips:
Usually the magazine's website will have the information you need. Go to the contact page and look for the submission email address.
If the site doesn't list one, go to the magazine's masthead (the listing of the people who work for the magazine usually found by the contents page) and see who the section editors are. Then, attempt to make contact with them through LinkedIn.
You can also try finding out their email address by finding their social media pages on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Google the magazine's name and the words "submission guidelines." A little searching may turn up just what you need.
Get a subscription to the Writer's Market. This site lists all the latest contact information. Or you can buy Writer's Market 2020 in book form if you don't want a subscription.
How to contact a magazine
4. How to write your pitch
Begin your pitch with an eye-grabbing subject line that summarizes your story without going into too much detail about it. Then, start your email with a top-line in bold that summarizes your pitch. While you need to be clear with the context of your article, the editor wants to know what you want ASAP. Be specific and clear about what it is you're pitching.
What you follow up your top-line with is essential. You should include roughly 100 to 150 words of background to your title, allowing the editor to get a little more information about your article, without giving the whole thing away. You want to give them a taste of what you've written.
Finally, once you've filled out the email with your top-line and brief article summary, you want to finish off with a short bio about yourself – past work, achievements, why you want to write for their particular magazine. Keep it short and relative to their publication – only include information that reflects the kinds of things they're looking for in a writer.
5. Follow up with the magazine
Once you've finished writing your pitch, don't just sit back and wait for the reply. Editors are busy people and have a lot of emails to get through every day, so part of the job is in your ballpark.
Once you've sent your email, find their contact information and give them a call, asking if they've received your pitch. This will help them to find your email and potentially get them to put it at the top of their to-do list. You want to be perceived as proactive and motivated.
Calling not your thing? I hear you! You can also send a follow-up email. I've gotten dozens of assignments just because I had the nerve to follow up with an editor.
It's a dog eat dog world out there for freelance writers pitching to magazines, and it's not getting any easier. You want to stand out from the crowd by producing an attention-grabbing, relatable pitch – it gives the editor the impression that you're seasoned and know what you're doing.
Want some more great tips on how to be a freelance writer? Get the No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack.
Pitching and More: How to Get More Work as a Freelance Writer
Here are some strategies to get more work as a freelance writer.
Working freelance is tough. Not only do you have to keep yourself organised and motivated, but you also have to make sure that you promote and market yourself. If you’ve decided to give up your 9 to 5 job and take up a more flexible freelance life, here are a few tips on how to promote yourself and get good work.
Consider the publications you’re pitching
First of all, chances are you’re sending off all sorts of pitches to different editors and publications. Don't do that. It’s important to make sure that you’re sending the right ideas to the right places to maximize your efforts.
Form pitches is the kiss of death. To an editor worth their salt, it’ll be obvious from a mile off if you’ve been sending the same idea around to lots of different publications. Make sure that you’ve researched the publication that you’re sending your pitch. Then, give specific reasons for choosing their publication and tell them why you think your idea would work for them. Editors love writers that do their research.
Be full of ideas, but don't stress
Let’s face it: no matter how great you think all your ideas are, they won’t all get accepted and published, even if you’d love them to be. Facing rejection is part and parcel of being a freelance writer - and you can’t let it deter you from continuing on and thinking of even more great ideas.
It’s important for you to be inspired by the world around yourself - make sure that you take experiences that happen to you, whether they’re good or bad, and consider how you could make them into a pitch. After all, everything is material.
When you have ideas, send them out as queries to publications. Keep at least 12 queries out at one time. This will help you keep a steady flow of article jobs coming in. Remember, 12 pitches in play keeps the bills at bay.
Pitching beyond
Pitching doesn’t mean just sending your ideas to publications and hoping they hire you to write an article. You can also pitch your writing services to business blogs and websites. Don’t forget to look for writing gigs on jobs sites, too.
Maintain your online presence
Being a freelance writer is not just about being a good writer - it’s also about knowing how to present yourself online.
First, make sure that you maintain a certain voice on your social media accounts. Strike that balance of fun and professionalism that will make people want to contact you to get some freelance work done.
Make sure you have a website, too, with your contact information clearly visible, including your phone number, email address and postal address, along with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media accounts.
Once you have your site up and going, remember, SEO is your friend. Essentially SEO means rearranging the Google search results so that your name comes to the top when someone searches for "freelance writer." Useful, right?
Communicate for referrals
Finally, you make sure that you communicate effectively with your clients. Remember, word of mouth is one of your best marketing strategies. If your clients like you, they will recommend you. Make sure that you’re clear about how long work will take you to complete and keep them updated at all times. Then, when work is done, ask your clients to refer you to their friends or colleges.
Want to start making $100 to $200 an hour with your freelance writing business? My book offers in-depth, actionable secrets that will get you there in just a few months. Learn more here.
More articles you may like
Pitchwiz is the Best (Free) Place to Find High-Paying Writing Gigs
How To Pitch Magazines: A Writer's Guide for Getting Published
Here's How to Find Out How Much Publications Pay Their Writers
5 Examples of Awful and Awesome Email Subject Lines...and Maybe a Few Shades of Grey