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In order to make a living as a freelance journalist the first thing I would recommend is getting hold of a copy of the WRITERS & ARTISTS YEARBOOK. This year book provides the freelancer with a comprehensive, yearly reviewed directory of media contacts. The listings include full details of contact information for each publication including fax, e-mail and website details for further research (and a whole lot more). It also provides an overview of the type of material publications look for together with word length and submission guidelines. It truely is a valuable asset for any freelance journalist as almost all of the listings offer opportunities for publications for freelancers.

Armed with the above, if you want to make a living as a freelance journalist you should:

STUDY THE MARKET

The value of doing this cannot be stressed enough. Consider the work of the editor for a moment - he/she strives to ensure that readers of their publications get what they want. As a result of this strength of focus, the freelancer must tailor his/her work to fit a specific market; theme; subject; length etc. - the work you produce MUST fit in with what is required by the editor and the market.

Use your research to ensure that what you submit is relevant to the publication you are targetting. Buy copies of the newspapers and magazines and study their target markets in depth.

If you want to research further you could use the UK VOLUME OF WILLINGS PRESS GUIDE which can usually be found in libraries.

CONTACT THE PUBLICATION YOU ARE HOPING TO WRITE FOR:

I would advise that you contact the newspaper or magazine before submitting work. For the cost of a phone call you can find out the name of the person that should receive your work - personalise your approach and make sure that it doesn't end up languishing on some desk somewhere.

LEARN ABOUT THE INDUSTRY

The big magazines and newspapers buy their stories through syndicates. So, you might want to consider employing the services of an agent who can place your work with overseas syndicates - particularly useful if already published in the UK.

Remember, most of the large presses have an inhouse staff to produce their material. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot find your way in - but you do need to produce good quality work and direct it to the right person in order to be noticed.

Launching and sustaining a freelance career is not easy. Many freelancers have a history within the industry and have created a specialism for themselves. In this day and age, with the streamlining of organisations there is a flood of freelancers and so competition is fierce. In this fiercly competitive world good contacts are crucial. Build up a little black book of phone numbers, addresses and additional information and add it to that contained within the Writers & Artists Yearbook.

Freelance Journalistism offers many personal rewards, both in terms of kudos and finances. It is challenging, it demands knowledge and skill and the capacity to be: persistent and imaginative. Have you got what it takes?

Learn more about this author, Laura Lytton.
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