🧑‍💻 Freedom in freelancing

If you've been daydreaming about carving your own destiny using just the words in your brain, now's the time to make that dream a reality. As the writing industry continues to fluctuate, there's nothing more powerful than the accomplishment of sailing your own ship through stormy seas and finally landing in your own personal paradise. This week's newsletter is about writing as a freelancer, choosing a freelance writing niche, and pitching your ideas to editors. Let's go!

In this week's issue 📨

• Become a freelance writer
• Types of freelance writing jobs
• How to pitch articles to editors

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Your own hands

The journalism industry is going through a bit of a rough patch. With news companies making significant cutbacks in 2025, it might be time to take matters into your own hands and hop on the freelancing train. Whether you're a rookie writer or veteran journalist, pivoting to freelance work can provide the freedom and flexibility to help stabilize both your financial and mental well-being.

Freelance journalist Kate Hutchinson breaks down how to become a professional freelancer so you can keep doing what you love.

Get thick skin

• As a freelance writer, one of the first talents you'll need to master is the art of pitching to aloof editors. You'll get rejected. A lot. So getting good at being politely persistent without taking "no" personally will be a process. Just keep reminding yourself how great you are, and you'll get to "yes" eventually.
• Freelancing doesn't provide the same safety nets that an office job does, like an established team to bounce ideas off of or a mentor you can lean on when things get tough. Don't be shy about emailing writers you admire to ask for advice or direction. You'll go so much farther with your own team of super friends.

Manage your money

• Finances aren't something anyone wants to talk about, but if you're freelancing, you're your own business now, and money management is just as important as the work you're doing. Find an accountant, organize your invoices, and get cozy with your editor's accounting department.
• Decide your rate as early as possible so you're prepared to answer any questions about fees or negotiate a low offer. Just be cool about it. If you're given the opportunity to write about a subject you love, building great relationships will get you more work, which equals more opportunity.

Be funny and stylish

• Everyone loves an LOL and a hehe-haha (when appropriate). You don't have to aim to be the funniest person on the internet, but injecting your own personality into your work will take you so much farther than sounding like modern-day AI. You run the show, so you set the tone.
• At the same time, knowing the house style of the publication you're writing for is just as important, so your work complements their vibe. Look through their past stories and issues to ensure your energy aligns. You don't have to be a perfect match, as your style should be flexible enough to secure more jobs.

Work hard and say no

• If you're going to make a living freelancing, remember to be FAB: fast, accurate, and brilliant. You'll need to put a lot of words on paper to ensure your bills are paid every month, and if that still isn't enough, there's no shame in coupling your fulfilling freelance work with some writing jobs that aren't as sexy.
• Freelance writing will take you through many peaks and valleys. Some months you'll be starved, and some you'll be overwhelmed. If you're feeling heavy, it's ok to turn down work so you don't burn yourself out. Doing too much can lead to doing things for free, and you're worth more than that.

Interesting stories & ideas 📚

• How to build a cult – The Knowledge Project
• Can reader data drive revenue? – One Man & His Blog
• What I learned in the first five years – Platformer
• Cut through the AI hype – Creator Economy
• Lessons from sci-fi – Digital Native

Independence days

If making the decision to become a freelance writer was easy, deciding what to write about may be the hard part. What subjects excite you? What niches are in demand? What if you waste time writing about the wrong things? Having the freedom to make your own choices certainly feels freeing, but now that you're your own boss, it can also feel like a daunting responsibility.

Cassie Moorhead, content writer for Upwork, helps make choosing a writing niche as painless as possible.

#1 If you love breaking down complicated info into an easier-to-absorb format, consider being a technical writer. Various industries are always looking for writers who can explain complex information to their customers, so they don't have to.

#2 Companies regularly seek out blog writers who know how to create engaging long-form content for their website. If they like you, one job can turn into many, as businesses are always looking for fresh site content for conversion and SEO purposes.

#3 If you're more into short-form writing, you may enjoy being a copywriter. This type of writing focuses on marketing and sales content with limited copy space, like social media ads or creative brand campaigns.

#4 News sites, magazines, and radio hire newswriters to get the inside scoop. If you're someone who keeps up with current events, loves pop culture, can create content quickly, and can cite credible sources, this may be your ticket.

#5 If you excel in mirroring other voices and are ok with not receiving much public credit for your work, consider ghostwriting. Not everyone has time to write their own material, so you get to swoop in and save the day while charging more.

#6 People are always looking for jobs, which means resume writing is always in demand. Many job hunters don't know how to create a winning resume, which is where you come in. Think of it as giving someone a makeover using words.

Set the tone

When it comes to freelancing, unless you're already well known in the industry, gigs don't automatically fall into your lap. You have to put yourself out there and market your skills so you can put food on the table. Now that you've chosen a writing niche, it's time to learn how to pitch ideas to editors of magazines, newspapers, and online publications so you can start making a living.

The team at MasterClass provides key tips on how to pitch articles and showcase your writing talents to editors.

‣ Be brief when emailing a busy editor so they instantly know exactly what you're contacting them about. Put your topic in the email subject line and keep your message short, yet thorough. If your email isn't crystal clear from the get-go, you probably won't hear back, and you'll have to propose a follow-up.

‣ Capture their attention by making your pitch as interesting as possible. If you're trying to fulfill your writing dreams by composing captivating stories, your pitches should be just as exciting, and grabbing the attention of a busy editor is the perfect test. If they're interested, their audience will be too.

‣ Showcase your skills when presenting your pitch. Remember that pitches are a first impression, and you want to show each editor what you're made of at every opportunity. Your writing style should be loud and clear (and free of typos). You can also include links to your other works to market yourself even further.

‣ Do your research and target your pitches carefully. Publications typically have a particular audience that loves a certain atmosphere, so you want to ensure that your outlook matches theirs and that your niche aligns. Most companies have a style guide to follow if you're unsure if you'd be a good fit.

‣ Create connections and be respectful so you can start networking right away. As with any industry, building relationships with the decision-makers (editors) will get you far. Even if they aren't interested right now, they could be later, and your friendly energy will help you be remembered. Handle every interaction with grace.

‣ Follow up if you haven't received a reply in a few weeks. It's ok to reach out with a short and polite follow-up asking if they've had a chance to consider your pitch. If you still haven't heard back after that, don't sweat it. Gather your confidence, and keep on trucking to the next outlet.

Curator's pick ✍️

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