These past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me. Some highs and some pretty low lows, and life has been just doing its thing in that beautifully messy way it tends to do.
That's just how it goes sometimes.
If you're feeling like you're on this crazy ride, too, well… now you know you're not alone!
No matter how tough it gets, remember that better days are always around the corner if we just hold on.
Those lows? They're temporary.
Those challenges? They're opportunities for growth.
And those moments when you feel like throwing in the towel? That's when you dig deep and find that inner strength you never knew you had.
I needed this pep talk, too.
So let’s re-center and get back to forward momentum. After all, we've got a writing career to build! Which brings me to the topic of this newsletter...
A word, please!
We're hitting pause and taking a few steps back. Why? Well, someone reached out asking for clarification after our last newsletter.
And I thought... maybe more of you are wondering the same thing!
After all, we're all here to learn and grow together, right?
So, here we go!
Did I say new writers should not take a gig if it's not paying at least $300?
Good! Because I didn't!
What I actually said in the last newsletter was, "In my opinion, US 30 cents per word is a decent starting point for our industry. So, if you write a 1000-word blog post, you're looking at $300 per post. Many well-established publications don't pay more than $300 per 1000-word article, so you'd be in good company. However, this is just MY perspective. You have to determine what works for you.”
And as a new writer, you absolutely have to build your portfolio! It's incredibly tough, if not impossible, to land paid gigs — let alone well-paying ones — without a solid portfolio to showcase your skills.
Any editor or publication will want to know that you can actually write before they consider bringing you on board. They want to see your clips, samples, or whatever you want to call them. Heck, even volunteer (unpaid) publications ask for clips!
Your portfolio (the P word) is that proof (the other P word).
When I first dipped my toes into the freelance writing waters, I worked for free on my first two articles — for the same publication. No money, zilch, nada, rien!
But I was thrilled just to have the opportunity to get published. I knew that if I wanted to make it in this industry, I needed to get my name out there first. And that strategy paid off big time down the line!
My second client paid me 1/4 of what my third client offered! 1/4!
And that third client? They've been my best, most organized, and most lucrative gig for the past two years. Not only do they set the bar high (for which I'm forever grateful), our partnership grew to a retainer arrangement.
You’ve got to take those first few steps, no matter how small they might seem. If I hadn't written those initial unpaid articles, I likely wouldn't have had the chance to impress that low-paying client down the line.
And you better believe that low-paying client was instrumental in helping me catch the eye of my third, much higher-paying client. By the time I reached out to them, I had a portfolio of 4 published articles. It was enough to make them take notice and offer me a paid trial. The rest, as they say, is history!
So, no — You do not need to hold out for a $300 gig or even a $100 one to get started in this industry. That would be shooting yourself in the foot before you've even taken your first steps. I certainly didn't wait around for some mythical "perfect" paying opportunity to launch my freelance writing career.
Getting published writing samples under your belt is your most valuable asset when starting out.
There's no shame whatsoever in writing for free or at a low rate to build your portfolio. Your goal should be to create a diverse collection of work that showcases your ability. Those opportunities are stepping stones toward those higher-paying, dreamy client situations we all will land one day. The key is using them as a means to an end.
Sure, we all want high-paying clients and to feel like we're getting paid our worth. I'd like to believe that's the ultimate goal most of us are chasing — working with dream clients who appreciate our value while also bringing in the big bucks.
I know there's a ton of advice out there (including the ones I share), and it can be overwhelming. You can feel like you're being pulled in so many different directions. Listen to all of it, some of it, or none of it. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest. Not everything will apply to you, your situation, or your goals.
Don't force yourself into something just because someone else said it worked for them.
Have a plan, stay focused, and keep moving forward.
Some processes are pretty standard, though. Few well-meaning freelance writers will tell you to go after a high-paying gig as a new writer without any samples. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's rare.
So, how you go about getting those sample clips is up to you, but make sure building a solid portfolio is part of your plan. Whether you write for free, take on a low-paying gig, or land a decent-paying job right off the bat, the goal is to get those samples and build your portfolio.
Speaking of getting started, ready for a behind-the-scenes look at how I've built my business?
You're getting an all-access pass! 😉
One of the biggest hurdles I faced when I was a freelance writing newbie was figuring out all the nitty-gritty business tasks involved and running my business efficiently — things like writing eye-catching pitches, setting competitive rates, drafting professional proposals for clients, you name it. It was a huge learning curve.
I devoured book after book, taking meticulous notes. I relentlessly picked the brains of other freelance writers who'd been in the trenches. I also invested in a course and a mentor. Then, I methodically put every supposed "best practice" to the test, seeing what worked and what didn't.
It was a long game of trial and error. Slowly but surely, I pieced together templates and processes that streamlined everything from landing clients to kicking off new projects.
Those templates were invaluable for my business and success! They saved me countless hours of work and helped me look like a seasoned pro from the very beginning.
That's why I decided to package up all those hard-won templates into one power-packed bundle to share with you!
This bundle includes all the templates I use in my writing business, including:
Cold email and pitching templates
Discovery call guide & prep sheets
Rate-setting guides
Writing proposal templates
SME interview checklist
Rate-raising templates
And so many more templates covering everything from onboarding to offboarding clients
These templates (a whopping 50+ templates, a 122-page bundle, might I add!) played a huge role in helping me transition from just another writer into a writer that top-tier clients want to keep working with again and again.
Secure those writing samples, even if it means writing for free or at a lower rate in the beginning.
Set realistic expectations and use these early opportunities as stepping stones.
Determine what works for you based on your unique situation and goals.
Create a plan, stay focused, and keep moving forward despite challenges.
Hot off the dek!
📌This issue's Hot off the dek is brought to you courtesy of Aditi Shingal, Health Communications Expert!
Have you connected with Aditi on LinkedIn? She's a fantastic health writer and a gem! What’s making waves in health writing? What’s the latest buzz?
Here are 3 pitch ideas editors want:
Bird Flu
Have you been keeping up with the news about the bird flu? It's even spreading to sea mammals and now cattle!
Someone in Texas actually caught the bird flu from an infected dairy cow. Why not pitch some ideas to help consumers understand this bird flu situation?
You know it! Get those SME quotes!
Meningitis Outbreak
With the CDC issuing a newalertabout the alarming increase in meningitis cases among young people, it's the perfect opportunity to raise awareness on the topic. Pitch article ideas that educate the public about symptoms, risks, prevention and treatment.
Reach out to those SMEs!
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
April marks Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. Chances are, you know someone grappling with its challenges. Pitch articles that share symptoms as well as management information and include a patient's story!
Gigs & Opps
Your next paid gig might be hiding below. Take a look!
Looking for freelance writers and your pitches! Reach out to addison.aloian@hearst.com. Addison is always open to pitches about lifestyle, relationships, sex, and astrology topics. A great way to get published!
Thatcher + Co
Seeking a freelance copywriter to write insightful and authoritative white papers and other long-form content tailored to healthcare executives, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Ellen is looking for talented women writers with personal stories about their mental health journeys. If you have a first-person account that you're ready to share, this is your chance to be a part of Stylist's Processing series!
Looking for conversation starters about culture, history, health/wellness, and trends, mythology, the supernatural, unusual history, and fitness trends.
Pay: Around $1 per word.
Send your pitches ( ~200 word blurb who, what, where, WHY ARE WE TELLING THIS STORY NOW & WHY DOES IT MATTER) to starlight.williams@natgeo.com.
Looking for stories about longevity (healthy lifestyle tips from older people in your family), among other super interesting topics. Open to writers of all levels, demographics, and locations. Send your pitch to Rosemary Donahue: rdonahue@businessinsider.com.
Pay: $225 for around 600 words.
If you have an engaging personal story related to health and parenting (like relationships, mental, or physical health), she wants to hear from you!
Evan is always looking for Men's Health Magazine-friendly essays and Q+A/profile ideas—ties into masculinity, fitness, action/thriller/genre stuff, etc— for their culture/entertainment section. Also taking time-pegged pitches if you've got 'em. Email Evan: evan.romano@hearst.com.
DAME Magazine wants feature/op-ed pitches on the care economy, elder care, women's health, and climate stories with intersections to other issues.
Pay: $350-750 for reported stories.
💡Writer's guidelines can seem tedious, but sticking to those outlined submission instructions offers major returns on your pitch success rates! Editors are flooded with queries daily, so take the time to follow their stated processes to help your pitch stand out.
👉 What did you write for your own blog? Share it with me at hello@thewritern.com.
Use our Blog Booster challenge to grow your own blog. And... it's time for another blog booster! Are you ready?
Here’s the plan:
Over the next two weeks (by April 18), write one blog post. That’s it, just one blog post for your website in the next two weeks.
Suggested topic ideas: - How to improve on-page SEO - A health writer’s take on AI - Medical misinformation - It takes more than blogging to rank on Google - Beating writer’s block - Tracking your blog's impact
Post your challenge blog post on LinkedIn using the hashtag #THWNblogbooster. It helps me (and other writers participating in the challenge) find and support your blog post on LinkedIn.
Once you’ve published your post, send the link to me at hello@thewritern.com so I can easily collect submissions.
Posts from challenge participants will be featured in upcoming newsletter editions. This gives your writing bonus exposure!
One last thing! Make it a point to interact with and support the work of fellow health writers taking on the Blog Booster challenge. Remember, this is our community!
PS: I'm seriously, absolutely, and honestly itching to know how I can make this newsletter the best for YOU and US. This is not a one-way street. You hear from me. But I want to also hear from you. Hit REPLY to share what works and what doesn’t, what you want to see more of, or just say hi! 👋
Loving the vibes? Share this newsletter with a friend. And if you received this e-mail from a friend, why not make it official? Stick around, treat yourself, and subscribe!
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