How to Become a Freelance Writer

If you have a knack for telling stories, you may want to consider a freelance writing career. Here are some tips to get you started.

Step 1: Write often Write as much and as often as you can. Take writing-intensive courses in journalism and English in college.
TIP: If your major is in a non-writing-intensive field, consider gaining additional writing experience by taking writing courses or a job as a copywriter or editor in a field related to your major after you graduate.
Step 2: Contact publishers Contact print and online magazine publishers about freelance opportunities. Libraries usually have books that list publishers' addresses.
TIP: You will have the most success pitching ideas about subjects that you have some familiarity with.
Step 3: Meet publishing professionals Get to know publishing professionals in your field of interest by attending conferences and conventions.
Step 4: Network Network with other freelancers. Other writers may come across opportunities more suited to you and pass your information along to their editors.
Step 5: Check online job boards Check online job boards for writing opportunities. Job boards frequently list opportunities for paid columnists, bloggers, and web-content creators.
FACT: The first patent for a typewriter was filed in the early 1700s, but the first practical typewriter wasn't marketed until the 1870s.