by Sharael Feist
February 4, 2001
Whether you’re a new writer or a print writer wanting to break into writing for the Web, there are lots of opportunities for free-lance writers to get published online.
Unlike traditional print publications which have limited space on each page, Web sites have unlimited space and are therefore less competitive to break into. Not to mention that there are thousands of Web sites, new ones are popping up every day.
Below are ten tips to help you start your career as a free-lance Web writer:
1. Choosing a topic:
What are you passionate about? Find an area of interest to focus on so that you can become an “expert” in that field. You need to have a “minor” to go along with your writing. Network with writers and editors in this field.
2. Research:
Do a search on the Web to find Web sites in your field of interest. Find the categories that you are interested on other Web sites. Magazines also usually have accompanying Web sites that publish additional stories that are not published in the magazine. City sites are great places to pitch to. Read articles on these sites to get a feel for there writing style. Send away for writer’s guidelines.
3. Pitching to Editors:
Search on the Web site to see if you can find contact info for the editor of the section of the Web site you’d like to write for. Sending an email is less intrusive. Send a query letter with clips. Build a Web site with links to your clips so that editors can take look at your writing (check out my site- www.sharael.com). There are lots of Web sites that offer free Web pages, like xoom.com, myfamily.com, chickclick.com. Follow up with the editor in a week with another email. If you still don’t get a reply, then follow up with a phone call in a couple of days. Fax and snail mail takes too long and phone calls are intrusive. What editors are looking for: it’s all about having a good idea at the right time, knowing the style of the Web site, having the clips to prove that you can write it, and showing that you are an “expert” on that topic.
4. Writing for the Web:
I feel that writing for the Web has a more casual tone than writing for print. There is more room for creativity. The way people read on the Web is also different from how people read print. Get your most important points up front. The deeper people have to click into the story, the less likely they are to keep reading. Chunks of information with links and bullet points, headers, and sections are good, but it all depends on each particular Web site’s style.
5. Finding Work:
Here are some organizations that post job listings for writers.
National Writer’s Union: www.nwu.org
Media Alliance: www.media-alliance.org
The List Foundation: www.listfoundation.org
Association of Internet Professionals: http://www.association.org
San Francisco Women on the Web (SFWOW): http://www.sfwow.org
Society for Technical Communication (STC): http://stc.org
Be sure to network with writers/editors, do an internship if you can and find a mentor.
6. What to Charge:
Starting off writing for “free” is a good way to build up your clips (although some writers would greatly disagree). In the beginning it’s not about the money, it’s about building a portfolio. When I write for the Web, I usually average about $.50 per word. The National Writers Union has a book, which lists rates. Writer’s Market also lists rates.
7. Getting Paid:
When you finally get assigned a story be sure to ask: WHAT’S THE DEADLINE, HOW LONG SHOULD IT BE, HOW MUCH WILL I GET PAID, DO YOU PAY ON ACCEPTANCE OR ON PUBLICATION, WHAT RIGHTS ARE YOU BUYING? Put together an invoice- include that info along with your mailing address and social security number. Be sure to sign and date it. This works as a contract/invoice. Send it on acceptance to assure payment on time. If you do not receive payment by the due date, don’t be afraid to follow up with a phone call or email. If you have trouble getting paid, contact the NWU. They have contract negotiators that can help. They also have a contract that you can use.
8. Pay Your Taxes:
Contact the IRS to get more info about paying taxes. Read “Minding Her Own Business” by Jan Zobel. Keep receipts for everything you buy that is related to your writing. Keep track of this. Also, keep the paystubs for any payments you receive. Keep track of this as well. You might want to use Excel or a similar spreadsheet program.
9. Resources:
Writer’s Market, NWU Guide to Rates, Minding Her Business, Writer’s Digest magazine
10. Three Ps:
Passion, Persistence and Patience payoff!