When thinking about freelance writing, people often forget the opportunities that exist locally and nationally, writing for magazines and newspapers. Not only do these publications offer opportunities in print but online too.
The amount of money you can earn really depends on the publication in question and can range from $25 to hundreds of dollars per article. This type of writing can become a seriously lucrative full-time career and not just part-time freelance work. It’s up to you.
Here are some things to think about when considering freelance writing for newspapers and magazines:
Learn to Write Query Letters
If you’re serious about writing for newspapers and magazines, it’s important to practice writing query letters. These letters are your first and sometimes your only way to get the attention of publishers. There are many things to know about the query letter, but the main things are:
- name the contact
- get to the point
- sell your writing to them in a professional way
You can learn more here: https://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-write-the-perfect-query-letter
Become Known as an Expert
If you’re an expert in a certain field, you’re going to be more likely to get assignments. If you have work that you’ve already written published in some format, that can add to your expert status. Make sure you can prove your expertise in some way, either through your credentials or your experience.
Do More Research![research]()
If you want to write for specific newspapers and magazines, you can do more research about the type of content they put in their publications. It’s imperative to ensure that you are writing in the way that the editor desires. Don’t reinvent the wheel here. Learn their audience, write for their audience, and you’ll be hired more often.
Find a Compelling Angle for the Story
Instead of using the same old story that everyone else is telling, try to come at things from a different vantage point. The angle you come at the story from can make all the difference in whether a publication wants to print your story or not. This can mean thinking outside the box for a unique way to look at and present the story.
Create an Outline
Creating an outline for the story and including that with your pitch can help editors understand what’s inside without giving them the entire work in advance. Just make sure that you really can deliver on any story you claim you can deliver on.
Pitch to the Right Person![handshake]()
Know exactly who you need to contact at each publication for your topic and your questions and pitches. Contacting the wrong person will show them you haven’t done your due diligence or homework. Most magazines and newspapers state online or even right in the publication, which person you need to talk to and the rules for doing so.
Use Guidelines and Style Sheets
Each publication has its own guidelines and stylesheets that you should pay close attention to. Everything you submit to them should be in that form. You’ll stand out because most people never read directions. The more you can make everything look the way the publishers and editors want, the more attractive you’ll become to them as the writer to choose.
Look at Trade Magazines
Trade magazines are important magazines to consider 
because they have a hard time finding enough expert writers to keep the content coming. Subscribe to any trade magazines that talk about the subjects you are an expert in so that you can pitch to them. Trade magazines can often become solid and reliable income sources for writers since it’s hard to find experts who also have an interesting backstory.
Check with Local Publishers
In your local community, there are city magazines and state magazines that also need writers. Get some of those publications and look through them to find out what types of things they like to print. Call them up and offer your services to them on assignment.
The main thing that will determine whether you’re published in a magazine or newspaper or not is the timing of the story. If it’s the right time, even if your article isn’t perfect, it’ll end up being published.
When you know of a creative way to attack a compelling and popular story, you’ll end up published far more often than not. It might just take a little bit of time for you to start getting more gigs than other types of writing, but it can end up being very regular income because once the publications find you.
Make sure that you are reliable and deliver what you promised on time. Do this and they’ll very likely want to keep using you.
