by Leo Wiles
27 May 2015
Dear Rachel and Leo, I’m an entry level writer. Could you please give me some advice as to how to get started? Thank you, Sarah
Hi Sarah. Congratulations on joining the ranks one of the most rewarding, challenging and potentially frustrating vocations. Namely because ours is a career that is ever changing; the people at the helm, the news stories of the day, the platforms we use and even the titles we write for. It all keep us on our toes (one of the reasons I like it).
Media is also highly competitive with more and more communication and media students like you trying to break in. Here are some ideas on getting started:
Jump online. Tweet, follow and like those editors and brands whose work you admire to build a rapport right now to make them aware of you. On the flip side, by having an online profile and a fleet of followers you’re also proving your relevancy to your prospective employees.
Clean up your act. If you have a messy online history, shut your accounts or tighten your security settings so that the first thing I see when I Google you isn’t you taking a dirt nap or looking worse for wear after a big bender.
Do what you love. If you write about areas you’re passionate about, you’ll have a longer, more successful and happier career. Oh, and you’ll write a lot faster and with more integrity than someone who hates your chosen topic. It really doesn’t matter if you go ga-ga for beauty products or financial terms and conditions – you need to know your area back to front.
Target your client. There’s no point telling Denture Cream Weekly that you have a fabulous story idea for the history of eyeliner. Or try to pitch Sex after Menopause to Dolly. Of course, these are ridiculous examples but you get the point: research your target. Go the newsagent or library and find titles that draw you in. Sit with them, read them, understand their style and get a feel for their audience. Put the title down, grab your pad and write down five story ideas that would fit that publication.
Start small, dream big. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or don’t have a lot of published work you may wish to think about writing a list of your dream clients. Right at the top, put those high circulation titles or top rating programs or segments, then work your way down. Now begin at the bottom and work your way up. Reason being, it’s better to make your mistakes on a smaller stage. For example if you want to break into ABC radio land a segment on your community station to learn the practical ropes of a day-to-day gig. If it’s print media you have a hankering for, then target your community newspapers and magazines, websites and relevant high-profile blogs with your beauty articles or 5 alternate ways to land a mortgage. That way you’ll have relevant experience, you’ll have built up your profile as well as developed your writing style.
Get your timing right. If it’s a hot topic, there’s no point telling the middle section of a women’s weekly title – that section went to bed six weeks ago. If you want to talk about Autumn fashion, then wait another six months. Media has a news cycle of story ideas that are planned often way in advance. If it’s long lead like Vogue, pitch an idea for Christmas. If it’s a weekly, think August for lifestyle sections.
Choose your contact. There’s no point telling a tetchy book reviewer that you have an exclusive on Ben Stiller talking about his mum’s death, as front page celeb news needs to go to the features editor. To stop looking like an idiot, it’s a good idea to create a contacts book (my preference is doing this in Excel). Jot down the sections of the title and work out who’s responsible for each.
Value yourself. Sure, you may be the new kid on the block but you still need to start as you mean to go on. Avoid online bidding sites like Fiver. Devaluing your industry and writing reams of words for peanuts is going to take up time when you could be looking for better paid work. It’ll also make you feel cruddy so don’t do it.
Showcase your work. You finally met someone you can do business with and they asked to look at your work – crap! No online portfolio? It’s time to bite the bullet and pull one together that reflects the work you want to do (not necessarily the Kitten Monthly or Penthouse gig that paid the bar bill through uni).
Word of warning here. Don’t BS. We had one student who put together a whole series of articles pertaining to be commissioned work that weren’t. If you lie on your portfolio and the client finds out you’re name will be mud with them and anyone they talk to. Oh and our industry is way too small and gossipy so DON’T DO IT! See our previous blogs for best practice portfolio ideas.
Locate gigs. Instead of relying solely on Rachel’s List, be proactive and pitch your favourite media outlet (be it TV, radio or print). One of the greatest things about starting out is that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. See previous blogs on how to pitch perfect.
Stick to your guns. Believing in yourself and having a high tolerance for rejection is one of the absolute musts of freelancing, and without these strengths you may as well go wait tables now.
Stop stalling and get started. Instead of waiting for the piece of paper that says you’re a journo or communications expert, start now. That way even with a few showreels and paycheques under your belt, you’ve one foot through the door – and instead of being a graduate you’ll be a journalist with a degree when you graduate.
Do you have any tips for new graduate Sarah on how to launch her career? Anything she should / shouldn’t do?
