Call for Full-Time Freelance Journalists
Let’s be real. The journalism industry is tough right now. Layoffs are happening all over the place, most recently in newsrooms in Oregon, West Virginia, and California. Of course, local newsrooms aren’t the only ones suffering. National outlets have cut back their staffs, too.
With the journalism industry in such a whirlwind, more and more writers and creatives are turning to freelancing, either by choice or by force. And truth be told, I feel a little more secure working for myself than I do for a company at this point in my life. I’d be open to a great full-time job in the future—maybe an associate editor at a magazine? But for now, I’m building my portfolio and experience through independent journalism. And while doing so, I want to help others build successful freelance businesses of their own, but I don’t know everything there is to know about freelancing.
That’s where you come in! I’m seeking other full-time freelance writers to share their stories of how they built their freelance reporting businesses from scratch. I’m specifically looking for journalists who report stories for news publications for 50 percent of their income or more. In addition to freelance writers, I’m also looking for journalists with backgrounds in photography, video, audio, and data analytics.
If you’d like to be interviewed, please email me at contact@thefreelancebeat.com with answers to the following questions:
How did you break into the freelance journalism?
How long have you worked as a freelance journalist?
What is your specialty (writing, photography, videography, etc.)?
What beats do you cover?
Do you have alternative streams of income in addition to reporting? (i.e. content marketing,
How did you acquire your first few editorial clients? (referrals, pitching, letters of introductions, etc.)
What is one piece of advice that you wish someone had given you when your first started freelancing?
What helpful tools would you recommend to fellow freelancers?
Please include a professional headshot and shots (if available) of you working on stories, photos, etc. as well as your preferred method of contact (email, messaging apps, or phone are fine.)
If I have follow-up questions, I’ll contact you for clarification. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Want to share your freelance success story? Email me at contact@thefreelancebeat.com.
