FREELANCE WRITING WORKSHOP Presented by Beth La Montagne

FREELANCE WRITING WORKSHOP Presented by Beth La. Montagne Hall Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications April 7, 2018

What we’ll cover today • What is freelance writing? • How do I get published? • Writing a pitch • Your first assignment • Staying organized • Getting paid

How I make a living Writing news pieces for regional and niche publications Blogging Public relations work Social media and website content writing Business writing Editing

What is freelance writing? Writer hired for a single article Writer hired on an at-will basis to cover a special beat, write a column, or write a series of pieces Contractor hired to create content for a website or social media accounts Any writing done for a publication or company at which you are not an employee

Keeping it real: What NOT to expect • That you will be able to make a living • You will get paid like a real job • That it will be easy • Accolades (there will be lots of rejection)

The kind of writing you can sell News Feature stories Straight news Recipes Service pieces Listicles Online Blogs Web content Social media posts Personal essays Business/ Marketing Press releases Business blogs Newsletters Non-profit/Alumni Publications

How to get published: Good writing skills “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these things that I’m aware of, no shortcut. ” Stephen King, On Writing

Getting ideas for stories: Where to look? Exercise 1: Write down 2 -3 ideas you have for a story

Building your platform How many of you have published a story or article before?

How do you get your first break? Same way you get any job -- Networking

Networking for Freelance Writers • Reach out to friends in the writing, publishing and communications industries • Go to writer & creative professional networking events • Join writer groups and organizations • Informational interviews • Exercise – write down names of a few publications you think your stories could be published, or people who can help

Anatomy of a Pitch This pitch turned into a paid story: http: //soundnh. com/no-longer-forgotten/

Writing your own pitch • The hook • The reel • What you will provide the editor • Who, what, when, where, why • Length • Who you will interview • Timing • Your expertise (clips linked below) Exercise: Pick one story idea and write down what you would say for each category above

Pitching Dos and Don’ts • EDITORS ARE VERY BUSY! Get to the point and make sure to sell it right away • Think visually: mention photos you have/can take • READ the publication and match its tone • Be professional: no funny fonts or emojis • Don’t promise more than you can deliver • Don’t pitch something the publication just did, check timing • Start with an email, follow up with a call

Avoid Common Mistakes Looking for “reliable, accessible, clean, accurate writers who can meet a deadline. No drama. ” -- Howard Altschiller, Executive Editor, Seacoast Media Group Emailing me with a decently fleshed out pitch, with some possible sources and details about art/photo opportunities is HUGE. That alone automatically sets a writer apart. It's extra work for me to come up with story ideas for writers I don't know, when it'd be far easier for me to simply assign stories to writers I know who can do them. -- Larry Clow, Editor/Freelance Writer Take as much time as you can to internalize the publication through and through. … This is the only way to be sure that the pitches you structure will be a good fit; otherwise, you're throwing darts blindly and hoping something sticks. -- Erik Neilsen, Editor, ZEST Magazine

Tips from Writers Editors want to know not just what the article is about, but why you are the person who should write it. -- Nicholas Conley, author and freelance writer Pitch publications where you want to write, develop relationships with editors, and keep an eye out for trends. -- Amber Drea, editor and freelance writer Find a niche and become the go-to person on that subject. Also, be reliable and hand in what the editor wanted. -- Rachel Forest, food writer and website editor

Let’s get writing! Write a pitch for one of your stories Use no more than four (4) sentences

You’ve got an assignment! Now what? • Make sure you understand the assignment • Note due date and make a plan to meet the deadline • Start interviews right away • Leave time for revision • Double check name spellings and dates

Submitting the assignment Use Microsoft Work format, unless otherwise specified Attach images, if you have any Include contact info for photos & follow up Ask where to send the invoice & for copy of story Ask yourself, “Is everything true and accurate? ”

Staying Organized

Once you have some clips under your belt • It’s OK to ask for money, or more money • It’s OK to follow-up on checks • Once you get an assignment with one editor, keep pitching ideas • Don’t let rejections get you down • DON’T WORK FOR FREE!

Go out there and do some writing Beth La. Montagne Hall – gardnerstate@gmail. com www. gardnerstate. com BLH Writing Solutions at blhwritingsolutions. com