Get a Freelance Life

Write Your Own Check Considering a career in freelance writing? Already a freelancer but seeking practical, solid advice on the basics of the business? Get a Freelance Life is the complete guide to all aspects of a freelance writing career, straight from the creators of mediabistro.comthe nation's most connected, authoritative source for media professionals. Learn how to: Write compelling pitch letters Network with the best in the magazine and newspaper industry Understand the freelance market and detect its changes Self-edit and rewrite your work Manage tight deadlines Negotiate contracts Survive the financial ups and downs of the freelance life With plenty of insider advice and tips from the most successful freelance writers and editors in the country, Get a Freelance Life is a must-have resource for turning your freelance gigs into a full-fledged writing career. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Margit Feury Ragland worked as an editor at Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Walking, Cornell, and Natural Health magazines before leaping headfirst into a successful freelance career. Her work has appeared in publications such as Self, Fitness, Health, Marie Claire, Parenting, and the Boston Globe.

Laurel Touby is the founder and CEO of mediabistro.com.

Foreword by Laurel Touby

xi

PART I ARE YOU READY TO BE FREE?

1. Is Freelancing Right for You?

3

(10)

Things to Consider Before Taking the Plunge

2. Invest in Yourself

13

(32)

The Bare Necessities for a Successful Freelancer

3. Invest in Others

45

(8)

Good Relationships-with Editors, Sources Even Publicists-Make for a Good Freelance Career

PART II PREPARE

4. Finding the Great Idea

53

(14)

It's All About the Story Idea, So Know How to Find Good Ones

5. Oh, the Places You'll Pitch

67

(21)

Pitch the Right Article to the Right Publication

6. What Kind of Article Should You Write?

88

(15)

From Feature to Review to Q&A-What's the Difference and Which Should You Be Pitching

PART III PITCH

7. Getting Your First Assignment

103

(24)

Getting Work Before You've Made a Name for Yourself

8. What Worked

127

(15)

Successful Pitch Letters

9. You Pitched. Now What?

142

(15)

What You're Likely to Hear Back, and How to React to Different Replies

10. All About Contracts

157

(14)

Know Your Rights—Which You're Selling and Which You're Keeping

PART IV WRITE

11. Rules of Reporting

171

(18)

Tips and Tricks for Learning Information

12. Writing

189

(8)

The Basics of Writing for Publication

13. The Path of a Story

197

(17)

What Happens to Your Piece Once It Leaves Your Hands

14. How to Get Your Second, Third, and Three Hundredth Assignments

214

(5)

Leverage Your Connections to Build a Career

PART V MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

15. Manage Your Finances

219

(13)

Running Your Freelancing Business

16. Affordable Health Insurance

232

(3)

It's Hard to Find Affordable Health Coverage as a Freelancer, but It's Not Impossible

17. Taming Your Taxes

235

(9)

Tax Time Is Very Different for Freelancers Than for Employees

18. Invest More in Yourself

244

(6)

Bring Your Business to the Next Level

19. Boost Your Bucks

250

(23)

Strategies for Increasing Your income

20. Conclusion

273

(1)

21. Resources

274

(6)

Lingo

280

(14)

Acknowledgments

294

(3)

Index

297

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials