Using the Web to Succeed as a Freelance Writer

While the Internet has changed the way that most people communicate, entertain themselves, shop, work and even live, probably no population segment has experienced its power more than freelance writers. These pens--or, rather, computers--for hire can now conduct research that used to require hours of phone calls or library visits in a fraction of the time. Here are some other important ways that the Internet can help freelance writers earn more in less time.

Finding Markets

Online resources such as Freelance Success, Mediabistro’s How to Pitch Guides, Wooden Horse Magazine Database and Writers-Editors Network are subscription-based, but each offers insights into markets that hire freelance writers, what these markets pay, editor contacts and types of stories the editor needs. Plus, many have free trial subscriptions so you can see if they are useful for you.

In addition, you can search for freelance writing jobs on traditional job boards like CareerBuilder, Hot Jobs and Monster.com, in addition to free journalism job boards like American Society of Business Publication Editors’ job board, Journalism Jobs and Mediabistro’s job board. Of course, the proliferation of online media means there are plenty of Web sites looking for freelance writers, so start looking for content-rich sites and sending them your email introduction.

Finding Ideas

In addition to researching story ideas online, the Internet can be a great way to come up with ideas in the first place. Search online versions of trade publications to cull larger trend stories for business publications. Read industry insider blogs to see if you can gain insight into breaking stories and new developments in your areas of specialization. Read local newspapers in various markets online to see if there are interesting story angles that could be developed into other regional or national stories.

Conducting Research

Thanks to the Internet, research can be done in a flash. Online databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed deliver thousands of electronic studies and scholarly works to you in a few clicks. Library Spot can help you sort through the best that libraries have to offer. In addition, at-Largely helps would-be investigative reporters find the resources they need for digging. And sites like Sree Tips are vast collections of links to research and information resources that can save you a great deal of time.

Finding Sources

Whether you’re looking for a small business that sells sweaters for dogs or for a woman suffering from insomnia, the Internet is a great way to find sources for stories. Associations and membership societies ranging from business to health to hobbies usually have some sort of online presence. Search for your topic area using your favorite search engine and you’re bound to find one of them. If you’re looking for people who have specific experiences or meet specific criteria, you can search for them on special interest message boards or through online affinity groups. Or try one of the source-search services such as Profnet or Peter Shankman’s Help a Reporter Out. Each of these services is free to reporters and will distribute your call for sources to their thousands of subscribers.

Networking

Getting to know writers and editors is an essential part of freelancing and important means of getting new business. Sites from Mediabistro to Freelance Success to Freelance Writing have message boards where you can connect with other writers and begin making industry contacts. If you crave networking of the face-to-face variety, Shaw Guides publishes a comprehensive directory of writers’ conferences worldwide.

The Internet has revolutionized the way writers do business. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie hustling for that first clip, it’s essential to become familiar with the time-saving and business-boosting resources that the Internet has to offer you.