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.
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