How to Work as a Freelance Journalist

Many freelance writers bridge the gap into freelance journalism, which is an entirely different ballgame. Reporting on the news takes a different kind of writer and not everyone can cut it. This is especially true for freelance journalism because you aren't directly employed by a news agency, which means that you work off-site and must manage yourself.

1- Read Your Contract Carefully

If you are contracted by a news agency as a freelance journalist, you will need to read your contract carefully. It will detail the terms of your payment, the specifics of your deadlines and everything else you need to know. If you have questions, ask your editor to clarify or take the contract to your attorney. Never, ever sign a contract you don't understand.

2- Determine the Ideal Output

Freelance journalists have more freedom to write than journalists employed by news agencies. You can determine your ideal output every week (or every month) and negotiate your contract around that figure. The most important thing is not to overextend yourself; if you commit to writing more than is actually feasible, you'll be in constant trouble with your editor.

3- Invoice Articles Promptly

As soon as you finish an article and push it off to your editor, you should be typing up that invoice. News agencies are notorious for forgetting to pay invoices for their freelance journalists and if you don't get it in immediately, you'll be waiting even longer when they lose it. It is always a good idea to send two copies just in case one is lost.

4- Obtain Contact Information

You should always have a way to contact your editor, particularly as your deadline approaches. Last-minute questions and difficulty submitting your articles can make your job much more difficult, so ask for both telephone and e-mail contact information as well as a mobile phone if possible. This is especially true if you live in a different city than the news agency that pays you.

5- Proofread Your Work

Especially if you are the kind of freelance journalist who pushes out a new story every day, you must have a system for proofreading your work before your editor ever lays eyes on it. Proofreading is important because your reputation as a writer is at stake and your editor has hundreds of stories to edit and may miss some of your more elusive mistakes.

Working as a freelance journalist is an exciting career rife with possibilities. Still, you have a responsibility to your editor and to your readers to put out your best work every time. Make sure you know all the rules before you start to play the game.