Earning money from freelance writing – 10

Writing for high-paying markets

Finally, here it is. The tenth and last tutorial of my free online freelance writing course. This one has useful guidelines you’ll need once you’re all set to spread your wings as a freelance writer and look for high paying markets.

All of us would love to have our articles published in nationally and internationally reputed publications. Who wouldn’t want to get paid a thousand dollars for a thousand words, right? Well, opportunities for bagging cheques like that do exist. Publications like The New Yorker, The Sun Magazine, National Geographic, Travel+Leisure, and speciality magazines like Men’s Health are known to pay that much and more. And publications like, er… Playboy pay top dollar too.

But then, there are no short cuts to writing for high-paying publications, or getting into international freelance writing. However, the following tips could make the going easier for you.

A whole world of opportunities out there

Work your way to bigger markets: You have to remember these publications pay good money for the finest writing. And the editors will never assign work to those who don’t have any published work to their name.

So it makes sense to work at getting better at your craft as you work your way upwards from regional to national-level publications. Once you find pitching to editors in your own country is a breeze, you’ll be ready to take the leap into international markets.

Always query first: Some of you may think: Isn’t that obvious? But I have to emphasise this as an essential step to writing for high-paying markets. I just don’t want anyone to make the mistake of sending out completed manuscripts after spending weeks, maybe months polishing them, only to have them rejected without a word of their brilliant outpourings being read.

The bigger the publication, the greater the likelihood of the editors wanting to look at your article idea first. That’s why if you check out any of the big name magazines or newspapers you’ll almost always see they don’t accept unsolicited contributions. But look at their mastheads, and bingo, all of them carry the names and email addresses of the editors of the different departments to whom you could shoot your query directly.

Grabbing the attention of these editors with an irresistible query would help you at least get a foot in the door.

Pick the right topics to pitch: Often, article ideas related to recent events in your part of the world,  a unique take on hot issues in your home country that could be interesting for readers in another country, or a topic for which you would be the best fit would be more likely to get you an acceptance letter.

Find those better paying markets: Browse actual copies of international publications or do a google search to find out the contact details of the editors of publications you’re aware of.

However, the good, high-paying markets across the world are too many. And you couldn’t possibly know about all of them unless you check out ‘writing markets’ guides like Writer’s Market (for US markets), The Writer’s Handbook (for UK markets), etc. which are published every two years or so.

They’re costly, but worth the investment. You’ll be able to earn several times what you paid once you start selling your work to global markets.

A number of free online newsletters, such as Funds for Writers publish useful articles and job listings for freelancers too. Again, a google search is all it takes to find these. However, those with paid membership would be better sources for discovering high-paying markets.

Tailor articles to your targetted readership: In the global market place you’ll find different markets have their own requisites and linguistic features.

For example, for UK publications you’ll have to use British English spellings like specialise, organisation, centre, colour, etc., and British terminology like footpath, lorry, petrol, and lift. But for the US ones you’ll have to use American spellings like specialize, organization, center, and color, and words like sidewalk, truck, gas, elevator, etc.

Common sense stuff really, but slipping up on details like this could rub an editor the wrong way and cost you a valuable credit in a foreign publication.

Even the quotes you use in your articles will have to be from sources in that country. For instance, for an article on college admissions in the US for an American teen publication, I had to contact deans and admissions officers in universities in the US. If you show you can take care of stuff like this it will take you one step closer to clinching an international sale.

Be ready for several re-writes and perhaps, a longer wait for payments: Sometimes, an editor might find your article idea interesting, but could ask for a different slant on the topic. You might be asked to write an article half or double the size you proposed. Several re-writes could be required before the editor is satisfied with your work. More quotes from experts could be requested.

And after a couple of months of slaving over the additional requirements and edits, you will have to wait for at least another two months before you receive the payment for your hard work. But despite all this, when you finally see your byline in a prestigious magazine, it will give your self-confidence, and your ego too, a huge boost. And that alone will make all those extra efforts required for writing for high-paying markets worth it.

Tenacity is the name of the game: Heard the saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again”? Well as far as a successful freelance writing career is concerned, it couldn’t be truer. Specially an international freelance writing career.

Convincing editors of major global publications is tough. But don’t throw in the towel after a few unsuccessful attempts. Each time you receive one of those standard rejection notes that say “We’re sorry this is not a good fit for us, but we wish you luck with placing your work elsewhere”, don’t let it upset you. Send the query off to another major publication. But don’t forget to thank the editor who rejected it for taking the time to check it out. Then wait for a couple of weeks, and dash off some more original ideas for consideration to that same editor.

Editors of reputed publications are always hungry for great article ideas and talented writers. And they will gladly assign work to you if you come up with a gem of an idea and can prove you have what it takes to deliver the goods.

I can tell you from experience, if you have the enthusiasm, determination, and patience, and are willing to play by the rules, you will succeed in snagging assignments that bring in big bucks.

Course completed!

With this last tutorial I’ve walked you through all the necessary steps for building a successful freelance writing career – from starting off on the right foot to spreading your wings and soaring from low-paying jobs to big-money assignments.

And congratulations for completing this free online freelance writing course, for there has never been a better time for freelancing. Many companies are outsourcing writing-related work to freelance writers today. And the internet has further multiplied the job opportunities.  So you can sit at your desk in your tiny apartment in New Delhi and dash off articles for a magazine in New Zealand!

Websites, blogs, ezines… all of them need fresh content, constantly.  So whether you want to freelance full time or just on the side to have some more money in the bank, opportunities for freelance writing are everywhere. Just seek and you will find.

It’s been a pleasure sharing what I know about freelance writing with you and showing you the path to success. I’ve given you the lowdown on: Types of freelance writing, What it really means to be a freelance writer, Getting started, Developing your craft, How to find writing opportunities, Building a portfolio, Writing a query letter, and finally taking the plunge and Going freelance. Now it’s all up to you.

Happy writing, and may your dream of earning good money from freelance writing come true.

All the best!

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