The main problem for new writers is to get samples of their writing to where they can be seen. Being able to write and having some great ideas is a good start. Knowing where to find clients is a good second step. The problem starts when everyone wants to see samples of your work and you don’t have anything to show. It's the classical story of the egg and the chicken: You can't get work without samples and you can’t get samples without work.
Getting samples out and published is the most important thing for a new freelance writers. You are stuck unless you get them. To get something out, thinking outside of the box is the right thing to do. You have to be aware that all the ideas I offer you here are low paying jobs. Keep them short term for that reason. There are several niches where you can make your first steps to get some samples out and be seen on the internet.
If you know of a local author, musician, or artist, try to get an interview with them for a local newspaper or magazine. Pay attention to visiting musicians and artists as well. Such interviews can be sold to local newspapers and magazines and to local websites and newsletters.
If you don't mind writing for free, charitable organizations can be great places to write for. Like all other companies, these groups run newsletters, press releases and information letters to donors. Charities may offer one of the best opportunities to write samples for as they need a wide range of products from writers. They are also the most willing to supply you with recommendation letters in return for the free work you're doing.
If a local business is doing something newsworthy, like appearing on television, expanding, launching a new product, write up a short article about it. Newspapers love to get such articles because they have their hands full covering all the negative news with as many journalists as they possibly can.
You can write reviews for local restaurants, shops, and businesses. You can offer these reviews to online media, tourist boards, and alternative newspapers. Many communities have free newspapers that feature local businesses, nightlife or shopping centers. These are great places to contact as outlets to publish reviews of restaurants, stores and bars. Often, they also take reviews of new movies if you're writing in a timely fashion. You won’t get paid much, if anything at all, but you will get a byline to make it a good sample.
Many newspapers run magazines that focus on niche topics like gardening, religion, and other hobbies. These can be good places to market niche articles. These niche magazines tend to have a focused and dedicated audience. These readers are generally dependable as readers who will be looking up your website or blog. This is an important step because potential niche clients are just as likely to read your articles in the magazine and subsequently contact you for targeted writing. You get samples as well as marketing all in one.
Virtually every business has web preferences. If they don't, then they definitely should. Smaller businesses often create these sites themselves. Even when they use a professional web designer, the designers rarely employ writers to create essential website content. This offers an easy entrance to offer your services. Even the most basic websites need content for their ‘About’, 'Us', and ‘History’ pages. If there are products for sale, review the product descriptions as well. Payment will probably be modest, but ask to be cited and linked as the content creator. This is a fantastic sample to have in your portfolio.
And finally, you still have the possibility to produce sample articles on your own blog or on revenue sharing sites. It all helps to get the word out that you are here to do the work. All you have to do is grab the opportunities offered to you.
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