Freelance journalism is a great way to make a living. You get to set your own hours, and you can work from home. But how much do freelance journalists make? That depends on a lot of factors.
In this blog post, we will discuss how much freelance journalists typically earn. We will also talk about various skills you need as a freelance journalist!
Who Is a Freelance Journalist?
A freelance journalist is a freelance writer who writes for various different publications on an as-needed basis. Unlike a staff journalist, who is employed by a specific publication, a freelancer is not tied to any one outlet.
This allows them to sell their articles to multiple outlets, and to choose the topics they write about. While this freedom can be very empowering, it also means that freelancers have to work harder to find steady work.
They often need to establish relationships with multiple editors, and pitch story ideas on a regular basis. In addition, they are responsible for all aspects of their stories, from researching to writing to fact-checking.
However, for many people, the benefits of freelance writing outweigh the challenges. The ability to choose one’s own assignments and set one’s own hours is appealing to many writers.
In addition, freelancers often have more freedom when it comes to the stories they pursue. Staff journalists sometimes have to write about topics that are assigned to them, even if they do not have any particular interest in those topics.
For freelance writers, on the other hand, each story presents an opportunity to explore a subject that they are passionate about. As a result, freelance journalism can be a very rewarding writing career for those with a love of writing and a desire to learn about the world around them.
Top Skills Needed For Freelance Journalism
There are many skills that a freelance journalist needs to be successful in the freelance business, but these 10 skills are essential:
1. Research Skill
In the fast-paced world of freelance journalism, research skills are essential. A freelance journalist needs to be able to find reliable sources of information and compile data from multiple sources. Not only do journalists need to be able to find reliable sources of information, but they also need to be able to evaluate the credibility of those sources.
In addition, journalists need to be able to synthesize large amounts of information quickly and accurately. The ability to do all of these things can mean the difference between getting a story published and being passed over by editors.
Fortunately, research skills can be learned and improved with practice. By honing their research skills, freelance journalists can increase their chances of landing assignments and break into the competitive world of journalism.
2. Writing Skill
For freelance journalists, writing skill is one of the most important skills to have. Good writing can set a freelance journalist apart from the rest and make them more marketable to editors. There are a few key things that make up the good writing.
- First, good writing is clear and concise. It gets the point across without being too wordy or difficult to understand.
- Second, good writing is interesting and engaging. It doesn’t just regurgitate the facts; it tells a story that will keep readers engaged.
- Finally, good writing is well-organized and easy to follow. It guides readers through the different points in a logical way, making it easy for them to understand and remember what they’ve read.
These are just a few of the things that make up good writing; if freelance journalists can master these writing skills, they’ll be well on their way to success.
3. Editing Skill
Editing is an important skill for freelance journalists, as it helps to ensure that their work is clear, concise, and free of errors. There are a number of different editing strategies that can be employed by a freelance editor, depending on the type of article and the audience it is intended for.
For example, content editing focuses on the overall structure and flow of an article, while copy editing involves correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Editing also helps to improve clarity and make sure that the article is easy to read.
In addition, editing can also help to improve the overall style and tone of an article. As a result, it is clear that many freelance journalists need to possess strong editing skills in order to produce high-quality work.
4. Fact-Checking Skill
The era of fake news has made it more important than ever for journalists to be able to fact-check their work. Freelance journalists in particular need to be vigilant about verifying the accuracy of their information, as they are not always working with editorial staff who can help to catch errors. There are a few key skills that most freelance journalists can use to fact-check their work.
- First, they should learn how to use search engines effectively to find reliable sources of information.
- Second, they should develop skepticism and learn how to assess the credibility of sources.
- Finally, they should learn how to spot common fallacies and errors in reasoning. By developing these skills, freelance journalists can help to ensure that their work is accurate and trustworthy.
5. Photography Skill
Many people mistakenly believe that the only skill required to be a freelance journalist is the ability to write well. However, in today’s visual world, being able to take good photos is also essential.
With the advent of digital cameras and photo-editing software, it has never been easier to get great-looking photos, even if you’re not a professional photographer.
As a result, many publications now require that all articles be accompanied by high-quality photos. For freelance journalists, this means that being able to take good photos is essential.
In order to take good photos, you need to understand the basics of composition and light. Composition is all about creating an interesting and visually pleasing image, while light determines how your photo will look.
For example, using a flash will give your photo a bright, clean look, while natural light will create a softer effect. By understanding these basic concepts, you can start taking better photos right away.
In addition, there are countless books and websites devoted to photography. Therefore, you can always find new tips and techniques to improve your skills.
While it takes some effort to learn how to take good photos, it’s well worth the investment for freelance journalists. In today’s competitive market, being able to provide high-quality photos can make all the difference in getting your work published.
6. Marketing Skill
As a freelance journalist, marketing skills are essential in order to get your work published. You need to be able to market yourself and your work in order to find clients and editors who are willing to publish your articles. There are a few key marketing skills that every freelance journalist should master.
- First, you need to be able to identify your target audience. Who do you want to read your work? What kind of publications are they reading? Once you know who your target audience is, you can focus your marketing efforts on reaching them.
- Next, you need to be able to sell yourself and your work. You need to be able to pitch your ideas to editors in a way that will get them excited about publishing your articles. This means being able to talk about your work in an engaging and enthusiastic way.
- Finally, you need to be able to follow up with potential clients and editors. After you’ve sent out a pitch, it’s important to follow up with the people who receive it. This shows that you’re persistent and that you’re serious about getting your work published.
If you can master these three marketing skills, you’ll be well on your way to getting your work published as a freelance journalist.
7. Soft Skills
Journalists need to have a certain set of skills in order to be successful in their field. These skills can be divided into two categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that can be learned through training and experience, such as writing, editing, photography, and video production. Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal qualities that make it easier to interact with others and get work done.
Some examples of soft skills include communication, flexibility, time management, and problem-solving. For a freelance journalist, soft skills are especially important since he’s his own boss and need to be able to manage his own time and projects.
In addition, freelancers must be able to effectively communicate with editors and clients in order to pitch story ideas, negotiate rates, and build long-term relationships. While hard skills are certainly necessary for journalists, it is the soft skills that will make or break a freelancer’s career.
How Much Does A Freelance Journalist Make?
An average freelance journalist makes about $35,000 per year. However, this number can vary depending on a number of factors. Some of them are:
1. Type Of Publication Outlet
The type of publication outlet a freelance journalist writes for will often determine how much they are paid. For example, journalists who write for national newspapers or magazines are usually paid more than those who write for local publications. This is because national publications have a larger audience and can therefore charge more for advertising.
Print outlets can also sell physical copies of the publication, which brings in additional revenue. Online publications, on the other hand, have a wider reach but rely heavily on advertising revenues, which are often lower than what print publications charge. As a result, they often pay less per article.
However, it is important to note that there are exceptions to this rule. Some local publications have a very loyal readership and may be willing to pay more for exclusive content.
Similarly, some national publications may not have as large of an audience as others and may not be able to charge as much for advertising. Ultimately, it is up to the freelance journalist to determine which publications are willing to pay the most for their work.
2. Experience Of Journalist
How much a freelance journalist makes is determined by their experience. A freelance journalist who has been in the business for a long time and has a lot of experience will make more money than someone who just started out.
The reason for this is that experienced journalist has a lot to offer their clients. They have the ability to find stories that are newsworthy, they know how to gather information and they have the skills to write an interesting article.
On the other hand, a journalist who is just starting out will not have as much to offer their clients. They may not have the same level of skills or experience, which means that they will not be able to command the same price for their services.
3. Type Of Article
A freelance journalist’s income is directly related to the type of article they write. For example, a feature article requires more research and time than a news article and therefore will fetch a higher price.
Similarly, an article for a specialized magazine will also command a higher fee than one for a general interest magazine. Of course, the difficulty of the assignment and the reputation of the publication also play a role in determining how much a journalist makes.
But on the whole, it is the type of article that has the biggest impact on earnings. Therefore, freelance journalists need to carefully consider the type of article they offer to potential clients.
4. Length Of Article
As a freelance journalist, you may be wondering how the length of your article will affect how much you make. After all, you want to be paid as much as possible for your hard work.
The good news is that there is no set rule for how much a journalist should be paid per word. Instead, the pay rate depends on a number of factors, including the publication’s budget, the writer’s experience, and the article’s length.
Generally speaking, though, longer articles tend to fetch higher rates than shorter ones. This is because longer articles require more research and often take longer to write.
As such, they are usually considered to be of greater value to the publication. So, if you’re looking to maximize your earnings as a freelance journalist, aim to write articles that are on the longer side.
A 1,000-word article will typically earn more than a 500-word article.
Final Words
In conclusion, there are a number of factors that will affect how much a freelance journalist makes. These include the type of article, the length of the article, the publication’s budget, and the writer’s experience.
As a general rule, though, experienced journalists who write longer articles can expect to earn more than those who are just starting out. So if you’re looking to make the most money possible, focus on writing quality articles that are on the longer side.
