There’s no doubt that the publishing industry is in a state of flux. As the way people consume media changes with each passing year, so must writers adapt to those changes. But how can we do that if we don’t have a job?
It’s important to have multiple streams of income and opportunities available while trying to break into magazine writing or any other career as a freelance writer or journalist. Here are ten ways you can pursue new jobs and create more opportunities for yourself:
| Takeaways |
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| 1. Leverage Freelance Platforms: Explore freelance platforms to find magazine writing opportunities and build your portfolio. |
| 2. Join Writing Communities: Connect with fellow writers to share insights, job leads, and support each other in the industry. |
| 3. Attend Writing Events: Participate in writing events, workshops, and conferences to network with editors and publishers. |
| 4. Follow Submission Guidelines: Always adhere to submission guidelines provided by magazines for better chances of acceptance. |
| 5. Research Target Magazines: Understand the style, tone, and content of your target magazines before pitching your ideas. |
| 6. Utilize Social Media: Use social media platforms to showcase your writing skills and attract potential employers. |
| 7. Build an Impressive Portfolio: Assemble a diverse portfolio with well-crafted writing samples to impress magazine editors. |
| 8. Stay Persistent and Patient: Rejection is common, so stay persistent and patient while seeking writing opportunities. |
| 9. Develop a Unique Voice: Cultivate a unique writing voice that sets you apart from other magazine writers. |
| 10. Be Open to Freelancing: Consider freelance opportunities, as they can lead to regular gigs and long-term relationships with magazines. |
1. Contribute To Online Publications And Magazines
The best way to build a portfolio of magazine articles is to get your name out there and writing for online publications and magazines is one of the best ways to do just that. You can find outlets in your niche that are looking for new contributors or guest writers on their platforms. The great thing about this option is that you may even get paid!
Many online publications have a section where they post their “call for participation” or “submit an article here” form, so it’s important to keep an eye on these if you’re looking for writing gigs.
Building a successful career as a magazine writer requires breaking into the industry first. Our guide on how to break into freelance magazine writing provides valuable tips and strategies to get started on your journey.
2. Submit Your Article Pitches
After you’ve written a few articles, you may be ready to earn some money by pitching your ideas to magazines and newspapers. Think of it as the equivalent of going on a blind date: You can’t ask someone out without first finding out if they’re even interested in dating or having the same type of interests that you do.
You can find publications’ guidelines for submissions online; these will give you details about what types of stories they want to publish (and which ones they don’t), how often they’re looking for new writers, and more information about their editorial process.
If this is your first time trying pitching an article idea, consider asking someone who knows about writing for magazines for some advice, and keep reading!
3. Get Your Portfolio And Website Out There, As Well As Your Social Media
You need to get your portfolio and website out there, as well as your social media presence.
Get your portfolio up on the web. You can use a blog or LinkedIn if you don’t want to spend money on a website, but it’s always best to have an official presence that showcases all of your work.
Make sure that the site is easy to find! Add links from social media accounts and any other websites you have control over (like personal profiles). Also, consider putting the link in the footer of every email you send out this way it’s more likely people will see it when they go back through their inboxes later.
Plan for growth by having multiple versions of this information available online: one version optimized for search engines through keywords.
Another version optimized with links back here so we can learn more about each other; then finally another version with just text so people who aren’t familiar with HTML can still read it without getting lost among technical jargon.”
As a magazine writer, knowing where to find the best markets for your work is crucial. Explore our article on how to find the best magazine markets to discover opportunities that align with your writing style and interests.
4. Look For Jobs Posted Directly On A Magazine’s Website
Search for jobs on the magazine’s website: Every magazine has a “work for us” page, and many have a “contact us” or “about us” page as well. Check all of these pages to see if they list any open jobs.
Look at the publication’s “jobs” section, which is often listed under either “careers,” “open positions,” or both. If you don’t find what you’re looking for in your search results, try refining your search further by adding additional keywords to narrow down your results (e.g., freelance writer).
5. Apply For Writing Grants
Grants are another great way to get paid to write. If you’re a new writer, applying for grants can be a good way to build up your portfolio and learn how the publishing industry works before jumping in.
There are grants available for all kinds of writers, not just novelists or journalists. Magazine writing grants are also becoming more common as more magazines become aware that there’s money out there for them!
The National Endowment for Arts publishes an annual report of current grant opportunities and deadlines, so keep an eye out in case there’s something relevant.
The Society of American Travel Writers Foundation also publishes an annual award list that lists travel writing prizes from around the world there may be one near where you live or have access to resources like library databases or universities’ libraries.
6. Join A Professional Organization
Joining a professional organization can help you meet other writers, learn more about your industry, network with other industry professionals and find job opportunities.
Professional groups often have regular networking events where you can share ideas and talk shop with like-minded people in the same field. These events are also great places to meet potential employers or clients. The best part is that they’re usually free!
Joining one or more professional organizations will make you feel like part of an exclusive club, which will give you confidence as a writer looking for work.
New to magazine writing? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our comprehensive guide, Magazine Writing for Dummies, to learn the essentials and kick-start your writing career.
7. Reach Out To Established Writers
If you’re a magazine writer and have aspirations of becoming a staff writer, reach out to established writers you admire. Ask them for advice on how they got where they are and what their experience has been like.
You might even ask if they have any connections that could help your career if so, it would be great if they could put in a word for you! If all else fails, ask them outright if there’s anything they can do to help get your foot in the door at their publication.
8. Write A Book Proposal And Query Literary Agents
If you’re interested in writing a book about your experiences, it doesn’t hurt to check out how much the average magazine writer makes a year. You might be surprised at what you find!
The next step is drafting a book proposal, which is essentially an overview of your project that would help persuade a literary agent or publisher that they should take on your book.
It puts into words everything that makes your story interesting and potentially profitable for publishers to publish (or “buy”). There are plenty of resources online from sites like The Write Life or Writer’s Digest; if you’re not sure where to start, these sites can give you some helpful pointers.
Want to improve your magazine writing skills? Look no further! Our article with 15 tips for better magazine writing will help you elevate your craft and captivate readers with your compelling articles.
9. Consider Asking For Another Role Within The Magazine You’ve Worked For
You might be thinking that it’s not worth asking for another role at the magazine you’ve been working for. After all, you know the people there and they know your work. You can build a relationship with your editor and publisher over time, but you’ll still be working with them regularly anyway, so what’s the point of making things complicated?
Here are some benefits to consider when asking for another role within your company:
You’ll know everyone better. The longer you work somewhere, the more familiar you’ll become with everyone else who works there not just customers and vendors but employees as well.
The more time spent together outside of formal meetings (or even during them!), the more likely it is that someone will come up with an idea that could benefit all parties involved in some way or another – maybe even by helping one party grow their business!
You get used to working on projects together over time too!
As mentioned above: spending more time together is often beneficial when trying new ideas out because people tend not only to become more comfortable working together but also start trusting each other’s judgment more easily than if they’d just met once before; this helps create stronger relationships between coworkers as well as clients/partners too!
10. Be Open To Other Writing Opportunities, Such As Copywriting Or advertorial
One of the best ways to get your name out there, and potentially land a magazine writing job, is to start writing for other outlets. Copywriting is a great way to transition from a magazine because it’s consistent work and pays well.
Once you have some experience under your belt, it might be time to move into advertorials. Advertorials are like sponsored posts you write about something that interests you and gets paid by the company that makes it happen.
As an advertorial writer at The Huffington Post once said: “The money isn’t as good at HuffPo compared with what they pay freelancers elsewhere (about $1/word vs $2/word), but the exposure is amazing!”
Building a fulfilling career as a magazine writer requires careful planning and dedication. Our list of 10 tips on how to build a career as a magazine writer will guide you through the essential steps to achieve your writing goals.
Conclusion
If you’re a magazine writer, the good news is that there are plenty of different ways to find your next job. Whether you want to stay in magazines or branch out into other types of writing, there are plenty of opportunities out there for people who are willing to put in the work and keep an eye on new opportunities from online publications to grants and literary agents!
Further Reading
Ten Smart Moves for Getting Published in Top Magazines: Learn valuable strategies to increase your chances of getting published in prestigious magazines.
LinkedIn Freelance Writing Jobs: Explore the power of LinkedIn in finding freelance writing opportunities.
Ways to Get More Writing Jobs: Discover effective techniques to secure more writing jobs and boost your writing career.
FAQs
How can I increase my chances of getting published in top magazines?
To increase your chances of getting published in top magazines, consider tailoring your pitches to each publication’s specific style, target audience, and preferences. Building a strong portfolio of published work and networking within the industry can also improve your opportunities.
How can LinkedIn help me find freelance writing jobs?
LinkedIn can be a valuable platform for freelance writers to showcase their skills, connect with potential clients, and join relevant writing groups or communities where job opportunities are frequently shared.
What are some effective ways to secure more writing jobs?
To secure more writing jobs, consider diversifying your portfolio to showcase a wide range of writing skills, actively pitching to potential clients, and utilizing freelance job boards and platforms to find new opportunities.
How do I approach magazine editors with my article ideas?
When approaching magazine editors with article ideas, make sure to research the publication and its audience thoroughly. Craft a compelling pitch that highlights the unique angle of your article and how it aligns with the magazine’s content.
Are there any specific niches or industries where freelance writing is in high demand?
Yes, certain niches and industries have a higher demand for freelance writing. These include technology, healthcare, finance, travel, and digital marketing. Specializing in these areas can lead to more opportunities and higher-paying gigs.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.