Where to Look for a Freelance Writing Job

Unsuspecting Places That Offer Great Work Opportunities

Sep 22, 2009

Just because the economy is yet to turn around, it doesn't mean freelance journalists don't have the means to meet their creative needs.

Here are the facts: The 2008 holidays wasn't a merry one for 600 Sun Media Corp. employees who lost their jobs. Not too long after 80 Globe and Mail staff welcomed the new year with an announcement that the national daily will be laying them off. A couple of months later, CBC, the public broadcaster, let it be known that it will cut up to 800 jobs. The year of 2009 started off with a bleak image of what's to come for journalists' job securities. And if contracted employees were getting the boot, the road for freelancers looked even less promising.

Dreary as the future of media may appear, it's not time to surrender yet. An old adage goes, "What goes up must come down." The economy will recover, but it doesn't mean freelance journalists should sit around and wait. Many job opportunities are still available for freelancers. The resources, however, may come as a bit of a surprise:

Old, Published Articles Provide Instant Directories

Every freelancer needs to build a Rolodex to keep track of every source's contact information. Previous interviewees from old articles come from all kinds of different professions and can be potential contacts for job openings. The past often opens doors for the future, which is why it is important to remain in good standing with interview subjects.

Being an Alumni Also Comes With Its Set of Perks

Post-secondary schools often have job boards that are constantly updated. The postings may be more directed toward students (i.e. part-time, underpaid gigs), but it can also offer contracted opportunities (i.e. editorial help when a magazine does a special issue). Former professors are also great sources for any job tips.

General Job Boards Have Something to Offer Too

Don't shun sites such as Craigslist and Workopolis so quickly. Believe it or not general job search websites often post legitimate, good paying occupations, especially when it comes to corporate work. It just takes a little time and effort to sift through the bad ones first.

Freelancers now have agencies like Canadian Writers Group and Kuhn Projects that help writers find jobs and negotiate fees on their behalf. Joining such groups comes with its own conditions (The agency takes a cut from the writers' earnings and sometimes membership is exclusive), but if book authors have done this practice for many years, it may be time for freelance writers as well.

In the end, finding a freelance gig goes back to the fundamentals of what makes a great writer: being resourceful.

The copyright of the article Where to Look for a Freelance Writing Job in Freelance Writing is owned by Christal Gardiola. Permission to republish Where to Look for a Freelance Writing Job in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.