There are many different types of freelance writing jobs out there. Some require you to have special skills, certain experiences or connections, and a bunch of certifications and diplomas. But the field of fashion writing is far more accessible than most other kinds of freelance writing.
The barriers to entry are low, and many people start out as freelancers in this field before working their way up to full-time staff positions at major publications. This article will give you all the tips you need to break into fashion writing as a freelancer!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Becoming a freelance writer in the fashion industry requires a combination of writing skills and knowledge of the fashion world. |
| Building a strong portfolio showcasing your fashion writing expertise is crucial for attracting clients and securing freelance gigs. |
| Networking within the fashion industry can open doors to opportunities and help you establish valuable connections. |
| Keeping up with the latest fashion trends and developments is essential for staying relevant as a fashion writer. |
| Utilizing social media platforms and creating a professional online presence can help market yourself and attract potential clients. |
| Developing a niche within fashion writing, such as runway reviews or brand storytelling, can help you stand out and specialize in a particular area. |
| Continuous learning and improvement of your writing skills, as well as staying updated on industry news and developments, are key to success in the fashion writing industry. |
1. Think About The Writing You Enjoy
During the early stages of your freelancing journey, it’s important to think about the kind of writing you enjoy. What do you like to read?
What do you like to write? What do you know about? What do you want to learn about? And most importantly, what do you want to share with others?
Once you’ve figured out what makes for great content for your target audience, consider the channels through which that content should be published. Are there specific types of publications that would be a good fit for your style and audience?
Or would an online platform be better suited – maybe one that allows readers from all over the world access 24 hours a day (like Medium).
If you have a passion for fashion and a way with words, you can turn your writing skills into a successful freelance career in the fashion industry. Our comprehensive guide on how to become a freelance writer in the fashion industry will provide you with valuable insights, tips, and resources to kick-start your journey.
2. Write All Day, Every Day
If you want to become a freelance writer, you have to write every day. Writing is not something that happens in fits and starts; it’s an ongoing thing that requires consistency. When I started as a freelance writer (and still today), I wrote every day even if I didn’t feel like it.
Even if I wasn’t getting paid for my work, I would sit down at my desk and put words on the page because the writing was part of my routine and something that needed to get done.
One of the most important lessons I learned from working with others who became successful freelancers was this: don’t wait until inspiration strikes; just start writing!
If you are having trouble figuring out what to write about or what topic interests you most.
Then try finding some research sources (such as magazines) and read their articles for inspiration pick up whatever ideas seem interesting or worthwhile for your projects later on down the road too.
3. Find Your Voice
Once you have a clear idea of what your brand is, it’s time to figure out how that should translate into your voice as a writer. You’ve already established the kind of writing style and tone you want to use now it’s time to find a voice that is unique to you.
You’ve heard the adage “write what you know,” right? Well, this applies here too: figuring out how much research will be necessary for your project will help dictate how much personal experience can inform your work.
If you’re writing about fashion but don’t know anything about the industry (or even if you do), lean on other sources for information and build from there.
However, once you have an idea of what kinds of topics interest readers within your chosen niche.
Look at those blogs or magazines to identify if there are specific qualities about their content that makes them stand out from others in their space and see if those qualities match up with yours as well!
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4. Do Your Research
As a freelance writer, you don’t have to be an expert in all aspects of the fashion industry. However, it helps if you know what your audience is reading and looking at.
Simply by browsing magazines and websites like Vogue, Glamour, Elle, and FASHIONista Magazine, you will get a good idea of what topics are popular right now.
You can also read books on the topic or learn more about a specific area of interest:
- Fashion history, books that cover historical periods or styles (e.g., The Rise and Fall of American Fashion by Robin Givhan)
- Fashion biographies, books about designers such as Coco Chanel (Coco Before Chanel by Diana Vreeland), Christian Dior (Christian Dior: His Life & Times by Peter Kurth), or Vivienne Westwood (Vivienne Westwood: This Is My World).
- In blogs, many bloggers write about their experiences with fashion design or styling themselves. These blogs can inspire your writing projects!
5. Write Like Someone Who Loves Fashion
There’s a lot of pressure on writers to sound smart and knowledgeable about the subjects they write about. But this can often come across as pretentious or boring, especially when writing for an audience that doesn’t need to be convinced of their expertise.
One of the most powerful ways you can build trust with your reader is by writing as if you’re having fun and enjoying yourself just like they would if they were reading what you’ve written.
Let’s break down some writing styles that are likely to turn off readers:
Write like you’re trying too hard: This can come across as pompous or snobby, even if it’s coming from an expert in the subject at hand.
It’s better to aim for clarity rather than using complicated words and phrases to show off how much smarter than everyone else (including your reader) you are!
Write like everything has been said before: There’s nothing more boring than reading something that sounds very similar to other articles written by other people on similar topics (for example, “How To Start A Business Blog In Under 5 Minutes).
If a reader has already heard everything in an article before them then there is no reason why they should keep reading past this point!
6. Intern At A Fashion Magazine/Website/Pr Company
Interning at a fashion magazine, website, or PR company is a great way to get experience and build up your portfolio.
You should always be sure to ask what they expect of you and make sure that you’re getting something out of the internship. Internships can be very valuable as they are meant to give you hands-on experience in writing articles and gaining insight into how the industry works.
As well as this, internships can help build your network of contacts within the industry who can help you find future jobs or give advice about freelancing them.
After all, it’s not just about writing for publications – many publications also have their websites where writers are often needed too!
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7. Send Out Hard Copies Of Your Work To Magazines/Newspapers/Pr Firms
Sending hard copies of your work is the best way to get noticed. Don’t just send one or two pieces of writing and think that will be enough.
Send as much as you can and don’t worry if it isn’t your best work, or if it’s not the right style for them, the important thing is that they can see what type of writer you are.
Don’t send a list of all your work, but rather send a selection that shows how versatile you are in styles and subjects – this way they’ll know what to expect from future collaborations with you.
Don’t send out a CV either – this is not relevant information when applying for jobs in journalism.
A resume (or CV) includes details such as where someone went to school, their qualifications, etc., which while useful may come across as too formal when sending emails, etc.,
So keep these documents separate from any job application emails and only include them if asked for specifically by an employer at the interview stage.
8. Ask For Feedback And Listen To It!
Asking for feedback and listening to it is one of the most important skills a freelance writer can have. Get feedback from as many people as possible and don’t take it personally if someone doesn’t like your writing or thinks you could do better.
You should also never be afraid to ask for help you’re not an island! If you need advice, ask anyone who will listen (and might know what they’re talking about).
Don’t be afraid to reach out to editors at magazines or websites in your niche, even if they are more experienced than you are. It never hurts to ask!
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for what you want or need the sky’s the limit here! If you’re working on something that needs some research is done (i.e., “I’d like some industry experts on my team”), then go ahead and say.
So and make sure they know why this is beneficial not only for them but also for you (i.e., “I’ll write articles based on what I learn.”).
9. Become The Most Stylish Person You Know, Make Sure You Work It Too!
A good rule of thumb is to make sure you know what you are talking about. If someone asks you about the latest trends in fashion, don’t tell them that “all black is coming back into style”.
This may have been true 20 years ago but not anymore! You should be confident and believe in yourself when writing a post or sending an email pitching your ideas.
Make sure that all of your information is correct and up-to-date, as this will help build trust with clients. Don’t copy other people’s styles, instead be original and creative by experimenting with different looks until you find one that suits you best!
Finally, being fashionable does not mean wearing only designer clothing from high-end retailers; it depends on how much money each individual has to spend on clothes each month/year, etc., so don’t be afraid to mix high-end with low-end items if needed!
10. Find Your Niche: Shoes, Bags, Editorials, Celebrity Styles, Makeup Trends Etc…Write About What You Love!
There is such a wide variety of topics that you can write about, so it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start.
The best thing you can do is find your passion! Write about what you know and love, and share with others the knowledge that makes you so enthusiastic about fashion.
It’s time to get down to business. There are many ways a freelancer can make an income, but one method involves writing for publications like Vogue or Elle Magazine.
For this plan to work, however, writers must have published experience (or at least samples) under their belts before approaching magazines with their proposals especially if they want editors who are familiar with their work!
To get started on this process, perform research into which publications offer freelance opportunities as well as what kind of writing experience they’re looking for in potential contributors/staff members.
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11. Start A Blog And Write About Fashion Every Single Day
Being a freelancer means that you’re your boss, but it also means that you have to be self-motivated and disciplined enough to work on your schedule.
This is especially true when it comes to blogging, where no deadlines or paychecks are coming in at the end of the week.
So when I say that you should start writing every day, I don’t mean just once or twice a month it has to become second nature for you!
Write about what interests you most (fashion), keep up with trends, write about how certain pieces would look on different body types, share tips on how to wear different styles (like how tights can make any outfit pop), etc…You get the idea 🙂
Don’t be afraid to try new things: You may think “I’m not confident enough in my writing yet so why would anyone want me?”
But let me tell you something: if someone knows about your passion for fashion but doesn’t know who specifically gets excited over seeing them wearing something new each season then they will appreciate anything else too!
There are always ways around obstacles like these so don’t give up hope just yet 😉
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Conclusion
Freelance writing is a smart way to make money, but it takes time and effort to build up a client base. If you’re interested in making it big as a fashion writer, start by building your portfolio by getting published on popular fashion blogs.
Once you have enough clips to impress potential clients, apply for jobs on freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr.
You can also try running an ad in local newspapers and magazines. When you do get clients, make sure they pay you well by charging them per word instead of per hour!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for further exploring the topic of becoming a freelance writer in the fashion industry:
What Is Freelance Fashion Writing? How to Become a Fashion Writer: This article provides an overview of freelance fashion writing, including the skills required and steps to get started in the field.
How to Become a Freelance Fashion Writer: A Comprehensive Guide: Discover the essential steps to becoming a successful freelance fashion writer with this comprehensive guide. It covers various aspects, from developing your writing skills to finding clients and building a portfolio.
3 Absolutely Necessary Steps to Become a Freelance Fashion Writer: This resource focuses on three crucial steps to kick-start your journey as a freelance fashion writer, including tips on creating a standout portfolio and networking in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Like Most About Being A Freelance Writer?
I enjoy having the flexibility to work from home and work on my schedule. It means that I can spend time with my family and friends whenever they need me instead of having to rush off at short notice when someone else needs me at work!
Can Anyone Become A Freelance Writer?
Yes! There are no specific skills required to become a freelance writer, just an interest in writing articles on topics that interest you or your clients (which can include anything from fashion to travel).
The only requirement is that you have access to an internet connection so that you can write articles remotely via email or messaging systems like Skype or WhatsApp
What Are The Steps To Becoming A Freelance Writer In The Fashion Industry?
The first step is to get your foot in the door. This can be done by researching who is hiring writers and where you can find them.
After identifying a company or organization that you want to work with, make sure that you have all of their contact information and know-how to reach them.
Next, write an email introducing yourself and explaining what your experience is with writing for this type of industry.
You should include samples of your work so that they can see your writing style as well as any other skills you have that might be relevant (such as photography).
What Does A Fashion Writer Do?
A fashion writer writes for publications, websites, and companies that are focused on the fashion industry. They write about the latest trends, new designers and their collections, how to wear certain pieces of clothing, how to style yourself according to the latest trends, etc.
How Do I Become A Fashion Writer?
Becoming a freelance writer in the fashion industry is not an easy task. It takes time and dedication to build up your portfolio so that when you finally decide to submit your articles for publication, they will be accepted.
There are also many other things you need to consider when becoming a freelancer such as marketing yourself online so that people know who you are and what kind of work they can expect from you.
You should also consider joining groups on social media where other freelancers gather together and discuss various topics related to their field of expertise (such as writing).
Freelance writers also need an online presence where people can find their contact information if they want more details about what services they offer or any other questions they may have regarding their work!
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.