If you're a new writer, should you approach the nationals or should you wait until you have more experience? Freelance journalist, Jan Murray, says "I say think big. I don't think there's anything at all wrong with approaching the nationals as a new writer. You need to be able to cope with knockbacks and you need to know the basics but to be honest, I think if you're good, you'll get somewhere, experience or no experience."
Jan Murray offers some invaluable rules and tips for those starting out:
My golden rules:
- Pitches should be just a couple of sentences (kind of like an intro to the article if you were writing it)
- Come up with a catchy headine and include that in your email header (some eds get 100s of ideas a day - you need to grab their attention before they hit the delete button 'cause they don't know you).
- If the editor doesn't know you, add an 'about me' section below your pitch, with a *brief* sentence or two about who are you, who you've written for etc. If you haven't got much form, best to leave it though.
- Check carefully for spelling, grammar, punctuation. In particular, check those apostrophes. If your pitch is poor, they may assume you can't write.
- If you haven't heard anything within a few days, send a follow up mail, a few days later send another, a week after the pitch pick up the phone. If it's time specific - a 'hot' story - email, then ring an hour or so later. Don't give up until you've had a 'no'.
- Don't expect reasons why your pitch was turned down. It's a bonus if you get them.
- When you ring an editor, always ask if it's a good time to talk. If you call on a deadline, you could get a swift brush off.
- Get a balance between polite chasing and stalking!
- Don't be surprised if you are asked to write an idea on spec because they don't know you. Don't waste the chance. 9/10 times it works out fine: the piece gets published, you get paid and everyone's happy.
Here are some additional tips I compiled a little while back:
- Make the most of everyone you meet and every experience you have.
- The best stories often turn up in the most unlikely places.
- Network, network, network. The more people you know - both in and out of the industry - the more luck you will have finding and placing stories.
- Don't be proud.. Doing unpaid work experience or writing for next for nothing - even free at first - is a great way to make contacts and get your first few cuttings.
- Look after your editors, particularly those who give you regular work. A bottle of wine at Christmas or a greetings card for a wedding or a new baby can go a long way. After all, they're helping to pay your bills!
- It is perfectly possible to make a good living out of freelance writing. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.
- Join a writing group or online forum. Support from other writers can be invaluable when you're first starting out.
- Read a lot - especially newspapers and magazines. This can be great for story leads and sparking off ideas. You'll also really get to know the publications you want to write for - which is exactly what editors look
for.
- Establish a specialism. If you establish a reputation as an expert in a particular area, you can always diversify later.
- Look after your contacts. Take contact details of every interviewee or expert you speak to and keep in touch, even if it's just a brief courtesy email every six months. They'll soon be coming to you with stories.
- Aim high, but be prepared to start low. Very few writers get their first breaks on national magazines or newspapers. Don't be too proud to start with lesser known publications. The more prestigious bylines will come
later.
Jan Murray recently set up the 'the Journalists' Forum' which can be found here.
May 25, 2005
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