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Topic: How do you avoid being pigeon-holed?
| Author | Message |
| paula_vergara | Posted – 10/9/2007 2:44:37 PM | show profile Like most freelance writers, I want to have a steady income. I have been writing mostly tennis articles, which I love, but not exactly paying the bills. This may be a case of me not looking under every single rock to find sports pubs to write for, but that's another issue... The question is, since most of my published work is in sports, how do I avoid being pigeon-holed as just a sports writer? If I want to apply for a staff writing position somewhere, or do more freelance writing, what can I do to prove that I am qualified? I feel like I'm back to square one with no relevant clips, even though I have published 1 health article and 1 food article--but that's all. In other words, I like being a "niche" writer, but also want to be well-rounded. Thanks. |
| mkelly | Posted – 10/9/2007 3:25:50 PM | show profile I don't mean to sound simplistic, but all you need to do is write about other topics. It's the same as any other gig: find a topic you know, develop a good idea, then send a strong pitch to the editor. Repeat. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 10/9/2007 4:36:54 PM | show profile and once you write about those other topics, when you pitch, be selective about sending your clips. You should match every sports story with a story that has nothing to do with sports. being a niche writer will get you nowhere in this ever-changing industry. Unless you are Rick Reilly et al. To have job options, you must be diverse. |
| flight risk | Posted – 10/9/2007 4:45:02 PM | show profile You can write for the same pubs but on slightly different topics to diversify your clips. For example, write about training diets, exercise routines (which can be parlayed into many different magazines), specific medical conditions athletes face or even sports fashion. |
| reporterwriter | Posted – 10/9/2007 4:58:51 PM | show profile flight risk is onto something here. To build a well-rounded portfolio, you might look at what's missing and aim for it within what you do now -- op-eds on an issue, how-to, profiles, whatever. Your topic may be sports, but your repertoire can show your versatility, just as any beat reporter does. |
