Freelance Writer

I love writing articles and have been told by many teachers, adults, friends, etc. that I should get into journalism. However, I have no money for school and I’m about to have my first child.

What all does it take to get into the journalism field?

It takes writing talent, talent that can be enhanced through work with a mentor. Rather than spend money on tuition, I’d consider finding a talented journalist or writer or poet in the area who will coach you. Sometimes, writers give classes that can be of benefit.

Working for a large national news organization can be a soul-sucking experience. It’s the editorial staff and top executives who decide what articles and topics get exposure. Often, it’s the sensational, violent, sexual, distractions rather than true news stories. The Internet provides you with opportunities to blog and self-publish.

Personally, I’d rather publish my own with my own editorial control. The media totally fails to provide stories that help people with their personal and spiritual (whatever that means) growth. Mainstream media provide distraction rather than truth. I’d focus on learning more about what Noam Chomsky has to say about US foreign policy rather than what PBS or FOX news programs provide. Mainstream media just reports the power elite spin on the news.

I’m a freelance photographer from India. I’ve my own studio and like to trvel for assignment. Can anyone suggest a site from where I can get freelance photography assignment?

Do a search for stock photography. There are many companys that will pay you for good images. Most of them pay you for images which other people decide to use in their ads etc.

If you are a full time, self employed freelancer (artist)?
When do you begin paying taxes? At 18?
How much do you usually have to pay?

USA: Yes. Not only do you have to pay income taxes, you also have to pay "self employed social security tax" as well.

Whenever you get income, someone has to pay tax. Sorry, I don’t know what age you have to start filling out your own form, as opposed to having your parents do it for you. Probably 14.

Your income tax rate will depend on your income.

I have the passion and the education. I work for a major consumer magazine, but in advertising. I’m just looking for ways to gain more clips/exposure/experience so I can work my way into the editorial field at my job. Thanks.

Good question. Actually a lot of Fortune 500 companies look publish newsletters for their clients and often don’t have internal writers and will hire local freelance writers. You may want to contact your local bank, financial firm, insurance company and see if they need a writer for their client newsletter.

Good luck!

I currently work in marketing/PR and am planning on quitting my full-time job in a few months to go back to school and earn a second bachelor’s in civil engineering (and thus change careers). While I’m in school, I’ll need to earn some money, and I figure a good option for me would be doing freelance marketing/PR projects – flexible hours and hopefully better pay per hour than waiting tables. For those of you that currently do freelance marketing/PR, do you have any tips for finding work? I’ve browsed craigslist, but that isn’t always reliable (I don’t want those work-for-free-but-build-your-portfolio jobs). I’m in the Chicago area if it makes a difference.

Also, if I create an online portfolio of my work, does anyone know if I can I feature work I’ve done for my current employer (now or after I leave)? I don’t want to get in any copyright trouble. I’m not sure how to approach my boss with that question just yet.

elance.com or guru.com
also, you can use google adwords or yahoo’s pay-per-click tools you can advertise your business like you choose Chicago area as target zone and trigger key words like ‘marketing consultant’; ‘marketing services’.
For the portfolio, you have to check your contract! the part where it refers to intellectual property. Usually (unless they have crappy lawyer), it is written that all Int.property created during your employment belongs to the company.
You have to be a little bit smarter to represent your work as example prototypes of things that you can do rather than things that you have actually done – this is if you post it on line – you can bring portfolio in a folder for your interviews and to show your interviewer as long as you do not give it to them and you do not reveal company secrets (which is tricky but with a little bit creativity could be done)
Good Luck
R.

If someone has a BA in in Film Production that was obtained in 2006 and only has been able to obtain some sporadic freelance work, would classes in editing help marketability? Other classes that might be recommended?

Keeping up to date with your training always looks good on your résumé. Its also a good place to network. You’ll never know who you’ll meet or which secret tips you’ll learn.

How about checking out your local college. Perhaps they have a position that could accommodate your freelancing schedule whilst bringing in an additional income.

I just completed a communications arts course and would like to find some work doing logos, web design (HTML & CSS), photo touch-ups or anything similar.

What are the best sites to find job opportunities in design?

There are tons and tons of sites out there. You should try gonogging.com. What’s cool is that other then just using it to find jobs you can put your work up for sale, so you could make templates or generic logos and put them up there.

If i do any job on line by "odesk" like website or "peopleperhour". after finishing my job how do i got my money? pls answer.

Open a paypal account or simply tell your contract to bank into your bank account directly.

But there is no guarantee that your contract would pay up 100%.

I’d like to see what is involved in becoming an internet based freelance writer, part time mostly. All I can find on the internet is a bunch of phony advertisements and get-rich-quick schemes. I want real information, not a bunch of BS.

Write something relevant that people want to read about and try to sell it. You can also blog or start your own website. If you submit your work around everywhere, someone is bound to buy it if it’s good. Make sure you register it with the writer’s guild first.
Hope I helped and good luck.

Any particular level of college degree? (My highest level is an associates…so far).

I’ve had lots of heavy writing classes, along with science & technology classes. But since I’m at the associates degree level, I’m wondering if maybe it’s possible I could find some kind of junior level science writer type of job with a magazine, etc.

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you’re interested in.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you’ll inevitably have as well as many you haven’t anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start and Run a Profitable Freelance Writing Business: Your Step- By-Step Business Plan (Self-Counsel Business Series) by Christine A. Adamec
* How to Become a Fulltime Freelance Writer: A Practical Guide to Setting Up a Successful Writing Business at Home (Road Map to Your Writing Career) by Michael A. Banks
* The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency As a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman
* The Freelance Success Book: Insider Secrets for Selling Every Word You Write (Write It, Sell It) by David Taylor
* Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments by Jenna Glatzer

I also posted links to some free articles in the source box.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!