For a few years now, skeptics have been sounding the death knell for traditional print magazines. Now, I don’t necessarily agree (and a glance at my income spreadsheet shows that there is still money to be made from magazines). But for the sake of diversification, I’ve been brainstorming about alternative writing markets. Here are just a few of the opportunities available to freelance writers:
1. Newsletters - Often newsletters use a writing style that’s similar to a magazine, but it’s usually shorter and more focused than a magazine. I have several newsletter clients right now, including a nonprofit organization and a leadership coach. Generally, you’d find this kinds of opportunities through networking rather than querying.
2. Mobile apps - I haven’t explored mobile apps very much, but Michelle Rafter wrote a blog post all about getting into mobile news apps, and I know a few entrepreneurial writers who’ve partnered with a developer to create food or travel apps depending on their area of expertise. (UPDATE: check out this guest post about creating content for iPhone apps.)
3. Greeting cards – This is another area that I haven’t fully explored, but I’m told it can pay pretty well. There are lots of online resources for writers who want to break into greeting card markets, including this one.
4. eBooks - I self-published an ebook about breaking into online writing markets, but there are tons of other topics that might be worth on eBook. From my experience, the key is finding a topic that has a built-in audience and hasn’t been done to death.
5. Essay anthologies - According to a panel I attended at ASJA earlier this year, anthologies are dead. But I know one writer who’s sold five essays to anthologies just this year, so clearly there are still some opportunities out there. Check the websites of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cup of Comfort, or Google terms like “essay anthology” and “call for submissions.” Sometimes you can also hear about upcoming anthologies on writer’s forums or social media sites.
6. Catalogues - As part of my copywriting work, I’ve written product descriptions for several retail companies. However, some companies now put out what’s called a “magalogue:” a hybrid catalogue and magazine that takes a more editorial approach rather than trying to sell, sell, sell. Again, networking is often your ticket to these kinds of assignments.
7. Websites – Writing opportunities abound online, both for the web version of traditional publications and for standalone web publications. I compiled a directory over 40 freelance-friendly websites and put it into an eBook. You can also find websites that buy freelance content by doing some digging around the internet.
8. Radio - Radio stations, particularly NPR, purchase essays and other stories that would appeal to listeners. I haven’t pursued this market, but I know several writers who have.
Fellow writers: have you explored any of these markets? Or are there other writing opportunities we should know about? Do tell!
Flickr photo courtesy dianagavrilita
I did some greeting card work back in the 90s. There's a great book out about a guy's experience working for Hallmark that is amusing. With greeting cards you often can't just submit them, you have to complete a test.
This is such a timely and interesting post, Susan, esp. since I've been feeling confused as to alternative writing markets. I'd love to learn more about how to get into catalog copy. Do you have any specifics other than "networking?". thanks!
Great comprehensive list. A lot to learn here!
I definitely need to print this list as I've been in the magazine world almost exclusively and need to branch out! Thank you.
@Sheryl: I landed my first catalogue project from a friend who is director of copy at an ecommerce company. They had so many new products coming in, they desperately needed more writers at the time! Then she referred me to someone else, and it grew from there. I see catalogue writing projects listed on FreelanceDaily.net semi-regularly as well. Another option is landing a subcontracting agreement. Some companies outsource their catalogues or magalogues in much the same way as they would hire a company to create a custom magazine for them, so if you come across a company like that, it might be worth sending a LOI.
Intriguing to think about radio as a possible outlet for writing. Do you have links about how you can find out more?
And this is a well-timed post, as Sheryl says, as a freelancer it's so important to branch out.
@Kristen: My writing pal Jenny Rough sold a story to NPR, so if you Google "Jenny Rough" AND NPR, it should come up (it's the essay about seasonal affective disorder). I did a little more digging and came up with this resource, which might be helpful to freelancers: http://www.airmedia.org/PageInfo.php?PageID=21 I also found this, but it's dated 2002, so I'm guessing a lot of the info has changed (might be some good tips in there, though): http://www.npr.org/about/pitch/submission.guidelines.pdf
good to know that I've worked in five of these, and at least thought of doing the other three (newsletters, mobile apps, and catalogue copy). thanks for the reminder about them. other ideas: white papers, annual reports, academic writing of various sorts
I've done lots of commentaries for our local public radio station, KUT. See http://ruthpennebaker.com/radio.htm
It's fast and lots of fun and gives you local recognition, but money is always tight.
Great list. There are definitely some opportunities here I haven't explored yet.
Great list, I had no idea phones apps were an alternative!
How helpful this is to the aspiring freelance writer! Wow, wish I had come across a list like yours earlier in my career, but then I was living in France where it was harder to find jobs in newsletters, for instance, since they were all in French. (I wrote an English-language newsletter at my kids' school as a volunteer back then.)
As magazine markets seem to get tighter and tighter, the idea of branching out begins to look more attractive every day!
These are good suggestions — I haven't tried any of these markets but I think I need to start broadening my box, so to speak. Thanks for these ideas! Just Tweeted your post too, by the way!
I've written quite a number of newsletters. They're a great place to land. And plenty of my "magazine" jobs have been for online publications lately.
I'm with you, Susan. I don't see the death of traditional print in the same way the rest of the world does. I think the strong will survive. I don't see myself buying a Kindle because I spend enough time in front of a monitor – give me a print magazine or a book instead.
Such a timely list. All of a sudden I want to try my hand at writing gift cards. That might be fun. Curious to know if it's lucrative too.
I wrote for a mobile app and it was fun but didn't pay much. I wrote brief descriptions of places to visit in New York City. I think there are a lot more opportunities like that out there!