Can Anyone Be a Copywriter?

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If you take a trip across the Internet to learn about copywriting or find a copywriter, you’re likely to walk away with the impression that anyone can be a copywriter.  Unfortunately, there are many people out there who claim to be copywriters but have no experience and no knowledge of how copywriting differs from narrative, expository, or any other form of writing.  And let me just say right now that I do not think hard sales letters which promise you’ll be a millionaire if you buy this 10-DVD set or similar pie-in-the-sky claims can be included as copywriting.  They’re a different animal all together.

So that brings us back to my original question.  Can anyone be a copywriter?

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Don’t Forget About the Old School: In-person interviews

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The Internet is an awesome piece of technology. The phone was a world changing invention, but person-to-person contact is still king. We humans are community-oriented beings. We desire to connect with others on a regular basis.

We writers have become comfortable interviewing sources through all the different electronic means and this has opened up a world of possibilities for freelancers to contact sources from around the world without ever having to leave their home or put a note on their expense account. With these advances in technology, we have begun to move away from the best interviewing style imaginable – face-to-face work.

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Don’t Forget the Old-School: Pen & Paper Interviews

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Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to talk about some oldie, but goodie elements of article writing that are still important for writers. It’s easy to dismiss some tried and true techniques because of all the fancy, technological whiz-bangs available to writers, but when technology fails – and it will from time to time – it’s good to have something to pull out of your coonskin cap.

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Freelance Writing Jobs Presents 11 Cooking, Food & Drink Markets

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food markets

We’re sharing cooking and food markets for you at Freelance Writing Jobs today. I researched each market to the best of my ability and as of February 2010, these are accurate and current. If I found a link to current guidelines, I included them. Otherwise, I listed contact information so you could request current submission guidelines from the market. I only posted a market if it was indicated that they’re accepting freelance submissions at this time.

Please be sure to familiarize yourself with back copies of the various markets and read all guidelines thoroughly to be sure you’re a good fit for the market and you can provide the right voice and slant.

  1. Bon Appetit: Pays $100+. 50% freelance written. Query editors for full guidelines.
  2. Chile Pepper – Pays $600 (minimum). 70% freelance written. The focus is on spicy foods. Contact [email protected] for complete guidelines.
  3. Food Safety Magazine – Unspecified pay. Please see online guidelines.
  4. Fresh Magazine – Supermarket chain-based magazine. Payment varies and stories are assigned four to six months in advance. Please see online guidelines.
  5. QSR Magazine – A magazine for those in the quick service restaurant (read: fast food) industry. Unspecified pay. Please see online gudielines.
  6. Relish Magazine – Food magazine insert found in newspapers. Payment varies. Please see online guidelines.
  7. Sauce Magazine – Looking for food-related essays. Unspecified pay. Please see online guidelines.
  8. Southern Food Magazine – Unspecified pay. Please see online guidelines.
  9. Tea A. Magazine – Pay is negotiable.  75% freelance written.  Query for complete guidelines.
  10. Wine Enthusiast – Pays $750 – $2500. 40% freelance written. Please see online guidelines and editorial calendar.
  11. Wine Press Northwest – Pays $300. 50% freelance written. Contact Managing Editor Eric Degerman at [email protected] for complete guidelines.

If you successfully query any of these markets or wish to share pitching or querying tips, please sharein the comments.  Don’t miss our other posted markets:

Lots of good luck to you!

Freelance Writing Jobs Presents: 19 Parenting Markets

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mom

Today we’re offering up some parenting markets.

We’ve been listing magazine markets and other writing guidelines this week and many valid questions are being raised. For example, how do I know these markets accept freelancers, and also, how do I know the pay rate is what they say it is?

It’s simple, I did some research. Research that’s easy enough for every single freelance writer to do if he or she wishes to write for certain markets. I looked up many markets on the web and, also, backed them up with a copy of the Writer’s Market – the 2010 edition. If some of the markets were still a little fuzzy with the details, I emailed or called to verify. If the market accepts freelance pitches, they’re more than happy to email current guidelines.

If you query any of these parenting markets and learn my details aren’t correct, please let me know so I can make any necessary adjustments. However, as of January 2010, these markets appear to be accurate.

When researching markets online, always consider how long ago each market may have been posted. If you’re unsure of whether or not they’re current, go to the library and confirm by checking the current Writer’s Market or contact the editors for up to date guidelines. If you’re reading this two years from now, the parenting markets listed here will offer a starting point.

As always, familiarize yourself with several back issues before querying any market.

19 Parenting Markets

  1. BabyCorner.com – Parenting Web Magazine – Pays .02 – .04 per word. Online guidelines.
  2. Bay State Parent – . Pays $60 – $100. Hyperlocal market only. Query: [email protected] or [email protected] at least two published clips.
  3. Brain Child – Pays a “modest” fee. Please see online guidelines.
  4. Charlotte Parent – Pays $15 – $75. Freelance contributions welcome. Please see online guidelines.
  5. Chicago Parent – Pays $25 – $300. 60% freelance written. Query for current guidelines at [email protected].
  6. Children’s Advocate – Pays $225 – $450 for assigned articles. 60% freelance written. Contact for complete guidelines.
  7. Dabbling Mum – Pays up to $120.00
  8. Family – Pays $10 – $200. For Central NJ parents. 75% freelance written.  Contact for full guidelines.
  9. Hudson Valley Parent – Pays $25 – $120. 75% freelance written.  Please see online guidelines.
  10. Island Parent – Pays $35. 98% freelance written. For Vancouver parents, please see online guidelines.
  11. Kid’s Life Magazine – Pays $20 – $25. Query for guidelines at [email protected]
  12. Indy’s Child – Pays .10 – .12/word. Please see online guidelines.
  13. Mothering – Pays $200 – $500. Please see online guidelines. Accepts unsolicited submissions.
  14. Parent Guide – Pays $25 – $150. Please see online guidelines.
  15. Plum Magazine – Pregnancy publication for women over 35. Pays .75 – $1.00/word. 90% freelance written.
  16. San Diego Parent – Pays $22 – $90. Query for full guidelines. 100% freelance written.
  17. Sonoma Family Life – Pays .08.word. Please see online guidelines.
  18. Today’s Parent: Pregnancy & Birth – Pays up to $1/word. 100% freelance written.  Please see online guidelines.
  19. Working Mother – The only guidelines I can find are from 2009, with no mention of pay. I’m still waiting to hear back from the editors, but you can try on your own using the online guidelines in the mean time.

As always, let us know if you successfully pitched any of these markets. If you have any tips for the FWJ community, please post them in the comments. If you like these markets, maybe you’ll also enjoy some of this week’s other offerings:

Image via stock xchnge

19 Grants for Writers and Other Creative Types

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old typewriter
Many freelance writers are only working for clients to bring in money while they work on books, screenplays and other writing projects. This is all fine and dandy however, it tends to take away from the personal project as we tend to put all our focus on paying the bills and funding our dreams. There are also circumstances out of our control. Many writers don’t have healthcare or disability insurance. When tragedy strikes, some writers are unable to continue writing for a living. Fortunately, there are so many foundations offering funding for writers.

19 Grants for Writers and Other Creative Types

Many organizations offer grants for writers to help them to complete their projects and education. What follows is a list of some of the available grants for writers and some details about each.

Please keep in mind, these grants are unsearchable. I found this information via research conducted online and at the library. Unlike our series on the various markets, I didn’t make any calls to verify any of these grants. However, as you can see, they’re all current.

  1. The Haven Foundation – Stephen King’s foundation provides assistance to writers and artists who, through tragic events and no fault of their own, are unable to work. Awards up to $25,000.
  2. Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting – Set up by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scientists this fellowship awards to authors who have previously earned less than $5000 writing for film or television.
  3. Arch & Bruce Brown Foundation- Awards $1,000 grants to gay and lesbian playwrights and screenwriters.
  4. Authors League Fund – Provides loans or assistance to writers who are in financial distress due to emergency situations.
  5. Artist Trust – Their Grants for Arts pr gram awards up to $1500 to help fun artist generated projects.
  6. Brown University – Awards a $45,000 fellowship to an established international writer or poet who is being creatively stifled in his/her homeland.
  7. John Jones Literary Society – Awards $10,000 to help fund an unpublished writer who has a work in progress.
  8. Kentucky Arts Council – Awards $7500 fellowships and $1000 emerging artist awards to poets and writers in even numbered years.
  9. Library of Virginia Literary Awards – Awards three prizes of $3500 each to Virginia writers and poets who were published the year before.
  10. Robert Bingham Fellowship for Writers – Offers $35,000 to first-time authors who are deemed to have achieved an outstanding literary effort and “suggests great promise.”
  11. National Endowment of the Arts – Offers a variety of grants to writers.
  12. Academy of American Poets – Awards and fellowships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000
  13. The Furthermore Program – Grant to help fund non-fiction book projects  range from $5,000 to $15,000.
  14. Demand Studios – Offers one $1,000 grant each month to help fund writing projects within their community of writers.
  15. Pen American Center Writers Emergency Fund – Offers funding up to $2,000 for writers in need.
  16. Voelker Foundation – Fly Fishing Fiction Award – $2500 for one outstanding fishing writer each year.
  17. AAAS Science Journalism Awards – Pays $3,000 to outstanding science writers.
  18. Arts Writers Grants Program – Awards $5,000 to $50,000 for a variety of writing.
  19. Witter Byner Foundation for Poetry – Awards poets $1000 to $3000.

More resources:

  • You also might be interested in this post at About Freelance Writing where Anne Wayman linked to blogs that make it their mission to report awards, grants and fellowships for writers.
  • C. Hope Clark’s Funds for Writers is the best online resource for learning about grants, fellowships and other awards for writers.
  • Poets and Writers’ database is an amazing resource for anyone seeking funds.
  • Michigan State University has something for everyone on this list of prizes, grants and fellowships.

We’ve also been exploring some writing markets this week. Check out:

If you apply for any of these grants, have successfully applied for grants in the past, or just have some tips you’d like to offer to the writers in the FWJ community, feel free to talk to us in the comment.  Your feedback is more than welcome!

40 More Freelance Writing Markets Paying $100 or More

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Our list of freelance writing markets paying over $100 per article was such a success, I thought I’d research a few more for you.

These freelance writing markets are all current, and , if I could, I added a link to their guidelines page. If no link or online guidelines were found, I added whatever information I could gather so you at least have a place to begin with contacting the editors for current guidelines and submission policies.

May 2010 be the year you prosper and profit!

Unless linked to full guidelines, please contact the publication directly for complete guidelines before querying. Also, before querying, please take the time to read through several back issues to familiarize yourself with the magazine’s tone and style and to ensure you’re a good fit. One of the biggest pet peeve of magazine editors are blind queries where the writer knows nothing about the market. Because buying all those past issues isn’t very cost-effective, I usually browse back copies at the library.

40 MORE Freelance Writing Markets Paying $100 or More

  1. AAA Living – Pays $150 – $1800/assigned article
  2. American Kennel Club Gazzette – Pays $300 – $500 per article. Scroll down for email address to request guidelines.
  3. America’s Civil War – Pays $300+.
  4. Art Calendar – Pays $250.
  5. Astronomy – Pays $100 – $1000
  6. Auto Pilot Magazine – Pays $100.  Contact for guidelines.
  7. Baby Talk Magazine – Pays $500 – $2,000. Query by mail to 530 5th Avenue, NY NY 10036 and be sure to include a SASE.
  8. Bee Culture – Pays $100 – $250
  9. Bike Magazine – Pays .50/word. Follow contact info for guidelines.
  10. Blade Magazine – Pays $200 – $300. Contact for current guidelines.
  11. Bridal Guide – Pays 50/word. I’d query for more comprehensive guidelines.
  12. Broken Pencil – Pays up to $100 – $400.
  13. Business Traveler – Pays .50/word. Contact for guidelines.
  14. Car & Driver – Pays $750 – $3,000 per article.  Send email to [email protected]
  15. Chidren’s Advocate – Pays $225 -$450. Contact for guidelines.
  16. Chile Pepper – Pays $600. Contact for current guidelines.
  17. Credit Today – Pays $200 – $1400.
  18. Dance Teacher – Pays $100 – $300. Try emailing [email protected] to request guidelines.
  19. Discovery Channel Online – Pays $1/word.
  20. Dog Fancy – Pays .40/word
  21. International Living – Pays $100 – $500
  22. Family Fun – Pays $1.25/word.
  23. Family Motor Coaching  Magazine – Pays $100 – $500. Contact for guidelines
  24. Her Sports – Pays $200 – $600 per assigned article.
  25. Kitchen and Bath Design News – Pays $200 – $650.  Contact for current guidelines.
  26. Laptop Magazine – Pays $150 – $1250. Contact for guidelines.
  27. The Meeting Professional – Pays .50 – .75/word for assigned articles.
  28. Minnesota Conservation Volunteer – .50/word.
  29. National Parks Magazine – Pays $1300 for features and travel articles.
  30. The Network Journal – Pays $150 – $200. Pitch career articles or articles related to business.
  31. New York Spirit – Pays $150
  32. Northwest Travel – Pays $100 – $500
  33. On Wall Street – Pays $1/word. Contact for guidelines.
  34. Persimmon Hill – Pays $150 – $300
  35. Robb Report – Pays $1.oo/word.
  36. Romantic Homes – Pays $500. Contact for guidelines.
  37. Snafu Designs – Greeting card market. Pays $100/idea. Guidelines at info@snafuguidelines.
  38. This Old House – Pays $1 per word. I’m not sure how old these online guidelines are as they’re from another site, so I’d contact for fresh guidelines.
  39. Threads – Pays $150/page. Contact for current guidelines.
  40. Wine Enthusiast – query by sending email to [email protected] – Pays $750 – $2000

If you found this useful, you might also be interested in reading:

…stay tuned. More spefic market lists are coming up in the upcoming days and weeks!! Hopefully all our markets lists will give you a good idea of the variety of opportunities available for freelance writers in 2010.

Please offer your comments, thoughts and suggestions regarding this and our other markets lists. As always, if you have tips for pitching or if you landed a gig from one of our lists, please let us know.

Edited to add: A member of the FWJ community asked how I/we know these sources are open to freelancers, if the pay rate is accurate, etc. Please be assured I researched each opportunity using a variety of online and offline resources including the Writer’s Market, online guidelines and I even made a phone call or two. As of January 2010 these listings are accurate.

15 Greeting Card Markets

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UPDATED FEBRUARY 2016

When you are thinking about freelance writing markets, how many of you think about writing greeting cards to make money? Greeting card markets often get overlooked in favor of writing for the web, copywriting, submitting queries to magazines and other ways to generate income.

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How to Write a Press Release Part 4: The Follow Up

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This is the final of four posts on how to write a press release. Each post will focus on a different aspect of press release writing. This post focuses on follow-up.

Once you’ve written the release and sent it to the appropriate outlets, you’re done, right?

Not

You need to follow who did and didn’t pick up the release and why. If it’s a simple promotion or hiring of anything but a top executive at a large company, the release might not see the light of day in all but media that run all announcements and maybe some local press. Though your client might think it’s important, in today’s battle for eyeballs (and for space, particularly in print), it’s just not that important to most of the audience.

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How to Write a Press Release Part 3: Distribution

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This is the third of four posts on how to write a press release. Each post will focus on a different aspect of press release writing. This post focuses on distribution.

First, a quick invitation to our writers from other countries to offer ideas on press release distribution in other countries. Though I have a couple of international clients, there are only two, so I’m sure that others can offer some additional ideas for distribution in the U.K., Europe, Asia, Canada and other markets.

No, distribution isn’t technically “writing,” but if you’ve written it and no one sees it, does it make an impact? No. Maybe the client will be satisfied that the release has been written, but unless it gets some notice, the client is unlike to stay with you long.

Now not all releases will grab the attention of the press, as mentioned in the first of these posts. At times, the release is little more than fodder that is unlikely to get any attention beyond your client, but needs to be written anyway because your client thinks it’s important.

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