From the outside, there’s something deceptively alluring about being a freelance writer. It seems like a fulfilling job, and there’s no doubt a bit of pride in “making it” on your own. But looks are deceiving, and freelancers have plenty to gripe about. Nonetheless, more and more young people want to freelance, and the push is no doubt part of a larger transition away from the nine-to-five office work.
But the hardest part about launching a career as a freelance writer is breaking through. And what’s worse, as long as you’re freelancing, you need to keep breaking through, moving up the ranks of as many platforms and client lists as possible at the same time. It’s a juggling act of a career: balancing gigs that pay well with ones that don’t but are more closely aligned with a passion, sniffing out opportunities hundreds of other writers are chasing themselves, and, of course, constantly, tirelessly writing.
So what does an editor want to see in a new freelancer? I used to wonder, and then got a job as a Managing Editor for a small, industry-specific website. Immediately I began fielding requests from prospective writers, some of whom sent pitches I fell for instantly, others made me cringe. How to properly pitch an editor is a topic deserving its own article, and while it’s the most obvious step in securing new work, the introduction and general approach to networking and delivering are the ultimate groundwork.
Check out our shortlist of traits editors love in new freelancers below.
- Published work: There’s no way around it. Editors want experienced writers. The intimidating, obvious truth about securing freelance work is that you need a track record. Internships have turned into an almost required first-step in the editorial world and those types of positions are most valuable as a starting point for bylines. Smart editors are constantly plucking talented writers from the ranks of smaller websites, and the best way to catch their eye is consistent quality.
- Good communication: If you’re freelancing, you’re most likely working remotely, but there’s no reason to ever fall out of contact with your editor. Expect delayed responses from the editors your pitching or submitting to—theirs is usually a busy job—but you should always be quick to respond yourself. Not only are fast email responses key to jumping on work that opens up unexpectedly, they’re also a mark of a hungry writer.
- Timeliness: If there’s a universal piece of advice for freelancers, it might be the following: Underpromise, over-deliver. Never accept an assignment you can’t turn around in the requested time, and try to go above and beyond with either your content or submission time. (Editors love early submissions.)
- Social media presence: For better or worse, more and more editors want to see how you perform, behave, and attract on social media. The content and nature of your social media voice depends entirely on the industry, but make sure to have some sort of obvious presence on Twitter or Facebook.
