10 Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers in Media

Members of the media lend an inside look at job hunting within an unpredictable industry

Alexandria Misch is a multimedia journalist and content strategist with over a decade of freelance experience, with bylines in New York Magazine, Esquire, the Los Angeles Times, and The Verge. She is based in New York City and works across writing, editing, photography, and production.

6 min read • Originally published December 5, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Allie Misch

Alexandria Misch is a multimedia journalist and content strategist with over a decade of freelance experience, with bylines in New York Magazine, Esquire, the Los Angeles Times, and The Verge. She is based in New York City and works across writing, editing, photography, and production.

6 min read • Originally published December 5, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Hiring may slow down around the holidays, but once the new year rolls in HR departments will be in full swing. To get you prepared for the upcoming hiring season, we’ve compiled a checklist of best practices for media professionals on the hunt.

1. Prepare to be laid off at some point in your career

It may seem like a depressing place to start, but if you’re ready for the reality of working in this industry, you’ll be prepared to pivot.

After 18 years of working mostly at magazines, Bret Begun, current editor of Bloomberg Businessweek’s Etc. section, has seen his fair shares of layoffs and shutdowns.

“If you work in media, chances are it’s happened or is going to happen to you,” Begun says. “It’s much better when it happens in June than January, so you can use the excuse that ‘no one hires in the summer’ to chill for a few months.”

Use that time to figure out what you liked about your last job and what you didn’t like, and try to make sure your next job has more of what you like and less of what you don’t like.

“That’s the hidden opportunity,” he says.

2. Let people know you’re on the hunt

Lauren Deen has won three Emmy Awards, written a New York Times best-selling book and is recognized for excellence in culinary writing by the James Beard Foundation. She’s also received a call on vacation that her television show has been canceled–her employment terminated immediately.

“Television is brutal,” says Deen, president and executive producer of her company, Cake Productions. “I went through my rolodex and cold-called everyone I had every worked for or met in the industry telling them I was looking for work.”

It’s not easy to divulge your situation, but as Begun advises: have a cocktail and start connecting. Work whatever contacts you have to see if they know of openings.

“This was incredibly uncomfortable for me,” says Deen. “I later realized this is nothing to be ashamed of—a strong work ethic is rare and valued and got me to where I am.”

3. Be conscious of your social media presence

Chelsea Castle, marketing manager at the branding agency Ologie, suggests applying a “grandma filter” on every social media post. Before hitting send, ask yourself: Would I want my grandma to see this tweet?

“That doesn’t mean you can’t be saucy or show your personality,” she says. “But, keep it PG-13 and balance your content with professional vs. personal.” And don’t be afraid to be the latter. “My most popular tweets are always the dumb ones about my spilling coffee or falling asleep in a coffee shop,” she admits.

“Social media is your number one tool in job seeking and branding yourself, but you can’t just be there,” Castle says. “You have to play the game, follow the rules, and make it your own. Be professional, interact and engage–and sell yourself–but be direct, honest and genuine.”

However, as an editor, Begun says he won’t be skimming Klout scores. “If there’s a writer I’m interested in working with, I’ll poke around so that I can see if the casting is right,” he says. “But I’m not hiring freelancers off of Instagram.”

4. Stop redesigning your resume

There’s a fine line between spell checking and splitting hairs.

“My guess is anyone interested in hiring you is going off a recommendation, not a resume,” says Begun, whose resume is simply written into a Google template.

Deen suggests creating a supplementary sheet to list skill sets as titles (i.e. executive producer) and a result of these skill sets as bullets underneath (e.g. Emmy-award winning show). “This allows your prospective employer to see your skills and how you can bring them revenue,” she explains. “And it’s also an interesting way to respond to interview questions rather than a laundry list of your show credits.” Such a concept can be applied to any industry to show your value.

5. Figure out how to best help a company

Begun finds sometimes, especially with younger interviewees, job-seekers tend to focus on what a job or internship will mean for their resume. “And less focused on how they can help…me,” he says.

“I know my pitch,” Deen says confidently. “Figure out what you have that no one else does. It doesn’t have to be a major splashy thing but what distinguishes you—basically why would the employer feel it would be a huge loss if they don’t hire you.”

6. Fill the gaps in your resume with whatever you can

The one relief of working in a creative industry is the ability to freelance, which can sometime be a way to fake it ‘til you make it. “Then you can point to something and say, ‘Look, see, I was doing things.’” says Begun. Freelancing can also provide a measure of personal accountability between gigs.

If your area of expertise doesn’t lend itself to the in-between, Deen suggests other avenues like taking a class, volunteering, or learning an instrument. “Do something with purpose that shows another side to you,” she says.

7. Court the prospective company or organization

You know how hard you creep on someone’s social media before a first date? That’s the spirit.

“I read everything I can and follow the thread to unexpected places,” says Deen. Get lost in a company’s social media and note if an employee was at the same event, knows an acquaintance of yours, or if you can connect to the interviewer in a personal way.

8. Target growing industries

Despite our current food-obsessed culture, making it your career wasn’t always cool.

“It was mostly blue collar, or books written by diplomat’s wives and fancy French men,” Deen says of breaking into the industry. She credits good timing alongside her talent as a producer.

“The best way is to belong to the community you want to work within. Attend lectures and ask questions or just ask people what they do and where they think the industry is going,” she says.

Castle advises all it takes is a little creativity to get paid for your passion. “Don’t pigeonhole yourself into any industry – listen to your gut and see where it takes you,” she says of making the leap from journalism to marketing.

9. Think twice before running off to grad school

Generally speaking, Begun says journalists learn more by being out in the field. “And it’s probably not worth incurring debt,” he warns of continuing education out of desperation.

“I think of my time at Martha [Stewart Living] as my graduate school and internship into ‘real’ production. It’s also a work calling card. If you survived there and won your Emmy’s what else could you not do?” says Deen. Not having a paid-for piece of paper may lead to rejection, but as Deen says, “Just keep moving.”

10. Don’t let the hunt haunt you

The following are suggestions for not obsessing over unemployment: Exercise often, avoid drinking too much, go to galleries, see films, and listen to people smarter than you at lectures.

“Basically reframe your mind for fresh ideas,” Deen says of her suggestions. “But map it out so each day, week, and month has a purpose. And let yourself take a few hours off from the search.”

Bonus Habit: Know when to jump ship

Perhaps you’re reading this at your place of employment and fantasizing about a fresh start. Do it.

“A good friend and mentor of mine once told me, ‘When you’re ready to jump, you’ll know. You’ll know it in your gut.’” says Castle. “Many parts of my [previous] job became iterative to a point that I didn’t even have to think half of the time.”

If you’re maxed out, not challenged, or unsatisfied, you may want to move on. Many don’t do this for fear of the unknown, deserting comfortability (or friends), and end up settling. “That’s the worst thing you can do for yourself,” says Castle.

“Trust me, Stockholm Syndrome is real,” adds Deen.

If you’re looking now or want to know when a perfect job opens up, set up a job alert and never miss the next opportunity.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search

Business Basics

Stiffed by a Client? How Freelancers Can Handle Unpaid Invoices

One writer recounts the journey to get paid

By Janelle Harris

@thegirlcanwrite

Janelle Harris is a multimedia producer, director, and founder of Harris Two Productions with decades of experience in non-fiction storytelling for networks including Bravo, Discovery, and A&E. A Howard University graduate, she specializes in amplifying diverse voices across television, film, and digital media.

7 min read • Originally published December 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Janelle Harris

@thegirlcanwrite

Janelle Harris is a multimedia producer, director, and founder of Harris Two Productions with decades of experience in non-fiction storytelling for networks including Bravo, Discovery, and A&E. A Howard University graduate, she specializes in amplifying diverse voices across television, film, and digital media.

7 min read • Originally published December 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

There’s a strange dichotomy of time in the life of the average freelance writer. Your days operate around deadlines, so you rush to interview, rush to write, rush to finish and rush on to the next thing topping the perpetual to-do list. But when the work is done, there’s often a slow-as-molasses timeframe for payment to materialize. Somewhere in the universe, a check with your name on it awaits, unsigned and undeposited. When it will manifest is anyone’s guess.

After writing for the same magazine for years, what happens when payment becomes sporadic and you take them to small claims court? I’ll tell you because it happened to me.

Just Happy to Be Working

Early in my freelancing career, I was just a starry-eyed writer trudging into a thankless day job in the communications department of a nonprofit and gleefully plunking out magazine articles when I got home. I was doing what I loved, albeit on a part-time basis, and the paycheck made it all the more sweet.

My bailiwick is women’s interests, particularly black women, but the pool of print pubs serving that market is awful small. Imagine my delight when an editor from one of the notables—you know, the ones that line the grocery store check-out—invited me to write a story. I can’t remember if my initial contact with her was a cordial pitch rejection or if she responded to a cold email I sent expressing interest in writing. But I do remember the subject line: “An Assignment for You.”

It was a short, front-of-book news piece on the trending privatization of public institutions. According to her email and the contract that followed, I had a month to write the story and, as the legalese stipulated, I’d be paid 30 days after the issue hit newsstands. I nailed it. She gave me another assignment, this time a lead news feature about celebrity moms’ business ventures. I nailed that one, too.

There was no indication in those initial months, then years, that I would eventually be plotting to Spiderman crawl up the walls of their corporate office building just to get my money. For a while, there was never a more contented girl who typed a byline. From then on, I was writing almost monthly, sometimes for multiple departments in one issue because she passed my name on to other editors. I covered news, spirituality and relationships, sometimes pitching, sometimes taking assignments. And, during the course of all these interactions, I built friendly working relationships.

Check Please. No, Seriously. Please?!

Two or three years after I started freelancing for said publication, I was laid off from my day job and decided to try my hand at full-time freelancing. That feast-or-famine phase made me notice that I hadn’t seen a check from the mag in quite some time. I’d gotten caught up in the rhythm of submitting stories and wasn’t being attentive to my pay schedule. When I added up the balance, it came to almost $3,000.

I emailed my editor to explain. “Oh my goodness,” she wrote back, “I’m so sorry! Send me all of the invoices and I’ll get them to accounting right away.” I was hopeful because the missing payments would’ve been enough to appease the bill collectors and maybe even pay a few things on time. With confidence in her promise to help, I continued to take assignments. But as more check-less time marched on, I prodded my editor for updates:

“By the way, have you heard anything yet about the money?”

“Hey, I’m just following up on those invoices. Any word?”

Our messages over the course of the next few months proved we were equally bewildered. She couldn’t seem to make any headway as the go-between, so she gave me the email of the paycheck mistress at the corporate office. We’ll call her “Cathy.”

Going Corporate

I peppered my initial email to our dear friend Cathy with gentle words, even a smiley face, because my goal wasn’t to piss her off or make her defensive. Despite their slow-to-pay tendencies, I didn’t want to burn the bridge. I emailed her once. Twice. Maybe about six or seven times over a month and a half. Finally, she responded. This is the only proof I got that she did in fact live and breathe:

“Janelle,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, corporate is behind in cutting checks. I have sent your information and will send another email stating your inquiry of payments with hopes they will be able to give me a definite date as to when they will be cutting outstanding checks. I apologize for the delay, but please note that I do not handle cutting checks. I will inform you of their response as soon as I receive.”

Translation: We’re late, but stop filling my inbox with your pestering because frankly, it’s really not my job to worry about your checks.

In addition to emails, I called and left polite, then progressively less polite voicemails.

“Hi Cathy! Just following up. Thank you!”

By month two, my effervescence waned.

“Cathy, this is Janelle. I still have not received any communication. I need to know where the payments stand.” No ‘thank you’ this go-round, I sniffed. That’ll show her.

After two more months, without any response whatsoever, I let my irritation have its way.

“Cathy, I have tried repeatedly to get in touch with you about money that is due to me for work I’ve already done. I’m sure you’re not in the business of working for free. Neither am I.”

Finally after months of trying, when my editor reached out with an assignment for me, I had to turn it down.

Jackpot! I Can Finally Pay My Bills

It’s a blessing to have virtual friendships with most, if not all, of my regular editors, and in a random conversation with one from another publication, I mentioned this particular magazine. Turns out we had both freelanced for them and she had a hard time wrangling her check from them, too. She’d taken them to small claims court.

Now, aside from what I’d seen on episodes of Judge Judy, I knew zilch about this legal process. I wore Google out looking for information on how to do it. I learned where the magazine’s mystical corporate office was located and contacted the small claims division for that county. I needed to factor in not only court fees, but travel expenses in case I actually had to make the journey from my home in D.C. to the plaintiff in Atlanta, but my editor friend (or “frienditor” as I like to say) assured me that once she filed her case, they reached out to her immediately.

She was right. The papers were filed in the morning and an attorney for the magazine called me by early afternoon. I’d since landed another day job, but I’d never given up on getting that money. I worked for it, I earned it and I was never, going to turn down a lump sum of three grand. After all of the time that had elapsed—by now, more than a year since I sent that initial email to my editor—it was just as much about the principle.

After all of the time and energy it took to get to the point of signing my name on the back of that little watermarked piece of paper, I had my money the next day. The lawyer was very pleasant, very apologetic and very willing to cough up the money owed to make this nasty little incident go away. “I’m soooo sorry you had to experience this,” she gushed over the phone. “Please send me your address so we can overnight you a check. I’m also sending you a release form to sign, so please send that back to me, as well.” I appreciated her apology and the fact that she sounded genuinely horrified about my experience.

The Moral of the Story

The fact that it took me the better part of a year to realize somebody in the world owed me almost $3,000 is my fault. I’ll admit it: I kept crappy books. My hatred of math and its companion evil, accounting, gave me cause to do bare-minimum bookkeeping. Typically, if numbers are involved, my eyes glaze over and my mind goes blank.

Sticky notes were my spreadsheets and even those weren’t checked often. I signed contracts and tucked copies into a manila folder, so focused on the creative part of writing, which I love, that I neglected the administrative side of my business, which is necessary.

I should’ve stopped writing for the mag much sooner than I did. My beef was with accounting, not my editors, but essentially working on a verbal promise to pay was a bad decision. Since this experience, if I’m owed more than one check, I wait until I get it before I even consider churning out so much as a headline.

A lot of writers worry that legal action—even the threat of it—will make them seem difficult to work with, strain their relationships, perhaps get them blacklisted. I think, as long as you’re diplomatic and professional in your attempts (meaning not blasting them on Twitter) no other magazine would frown upon a writer actively pursuing what’s already due to them. If a publication doesn’t pay on time, it’s not a relationship worth holding on to anyway. And if another takes umbrage with a writer demanding their money, that’s not a relationship worth building in the first place.

Janelle Harris resides in Washington, D.C., frequents Twitter and lives on Facebook.

Topics:

Business Basics, Go Freelance

Advice From the Pros

How to Transition From Editorial to a Social Media Career

BHG.com's Digital Lead for Social Media shares her tips on pivoting from editorial into one of the fastest-growing fields

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

6 min read • Originally published December 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

6 min read • Originally published December 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Long gone are the days when social media was used purely for entertainment purposes. Sure, there are folks who still love nothing more than to fill up their Facebook page with GIFs of dancing kittens, but more often than not, users are understanding the immense power of social media to quickly disseminate targeted messages to people around the world. This is especially true for media brands looking to capture the attention of an information-overloaded public, and for tweet-happy professionals, this means job opportunities.

As the Digital Lead of Social Media for Better Homes and Gardens Karla Walsh knows a thing or ten about effective social media management. Here are her tips for transitioning into this still-growing field and designing the career of your dreams.

Vital Stats
Name: Karla Walsh
Company: Meredith Corporation
Title: Digital Lead – Social Media, BHG.com
Years with Company: 8
Instagram: @karlaswalsh
Twitter: @karlaswalsh
Linkedin: Karla Walsh
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Current location: Des Moines, Iowa
Education: Iowa State University, BA in magazine journalism, BS in kinesiology

What were your career aspirations as a child?

For the majority of my childhood, I had no idea what “I wanted to be when I grow up.” Nothing really stuck until I stumbled upon newspaper class during my junior year of high school. We watched All the President’s Men and I worked on hard-hitting features—as “hard” as they could be in a suburban Iowa town—about Planned Parenthood and homelessness in our community. It was incredible to imagine lives being impacted by my words, and reporting felt so natural and almost easy since I’m an extrovert and adore hearing people’s’ stories. So I brainstormed relevant career opportunities from there.

How did you break into media, and how did you end up in your current role?

My career path was somewhat of an anomaly since I landed my dream job right out of college. I was lucky enough to score an internship through the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) the summer before my senior year at Iowa State University.

My dream occupation, that offered a fusion of writing and wellness, was working at FITNESS Magazine. After lots of hustling, I was lucky enough to spend the summer in New York City working with the brand that I personally lived, ate and breathed.

I kept in touch with the editors after I went back for my final year of school, and when a full-time position opened up the following spring, I was offered a job as an editorial assistant. I moved to the city soon after graduation and quickly realized that while I LOVED the job and my co-workers, New York would never feel like home.

I soaked up every moment for two years, then decided to move back to Iowa to work for the same company, Meredith Corporation, in a different capacity. That’s when I really jumped feet-first into the social media field, and I have since moved up and around in the digital media department, eventually landing at our flagship brand, Better Homes and Gardens, last December.

Briefly describe your day-to-day responsibilities.

Social media strategy and programming (Facebook Live production, general copywriting/posting, analytics research)
Project management for our sponsored digital programs
Event planning
Influencer outreach

What inspired you to go after this role?

I was asked to step into this role after leading the growth and modernization of Recipe.com and the web presences of our other ancillary food brands the year prior. After working at Meredith for eight years, Better Homes and Gardens always seemed like the pinnacle. Taking on a role with this long-standing brand, and in the constantly growing digital arena, has been incredibly exciting.

What about your job gets you excited to jump out of bed every morning?

The creativity involved means that no two days are the same. That’s an exhilarating feeling! I’m constantly inspired and pushed forward by my co-workers on the brand, and we all have the same goal: To inspire our audience to live a more colorful life.

What are the biggest challenges you face?

Our goal is to always provide readers ways to live more stylishly, deliciously and happily. We’re on a constant quest to keep tabs on how to deliver these ideas—and what ideas to actually share—to make this a reality. There’s no hard and fast formula, and since our fan base grows and changes on a daily basis, this is constantly a moving target.

I’m also keenly aware that Better Homes and Gardens is, to most people who haven’t picked up a copy or checked out BHG.com recently, “my mom’s magazine.” How can we reach new and younger fans and show them that we are here for them, too, while still providing service to fans who have read the magazine for decades? This is a constant consideration, and I feel like social media allows us to reach a younger and more diverse audience.

How do you stay on top of social media trends?

Besides following competitors, brands for millennials and brands that personally interest me on social media, I dig through a lot of data and recommendations in tools from vendors that we have subscriptions with, including LiftMetrix and CrowdTangle.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about social media management?

Everyone has a Facebook account and can share a cute puppy video. But there’s a lot of data, science and planning into every post we share. We’re constantly researching data, industry trends and algorithms to offer the best content at the optimal time and in the most effective way.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to break into this field?

Make sure that you’re building your personal brand in a strong way on your social networks. Of course, this means being professional and positive, but it also means being true to yourself. When co-workers and new personal connections meet me in real life after following me on Instagram or friending me on Facebook and they say that I’m exactly the same IRL, that means the world. #branding #doyou

Mentors are really important in the media industry. What tips do you have for readers who are seeking a mentor now?

Reach out and ask for a time that’s good for your mentor. Give them several time slots when you’re free and be flexible with his or her schedule.
Come prepared with questions to make the most of the time.
Turn off your cell phone and listen.
Talk mostly about work, but consider discussions about work-life balance, extracurriculars and more. This gives you a real picture of how business and life work hand-in-hand—plus it makes you both feel more human and offers chances for real connections.
A good last question: “Is there anything I can help YOU with?” Your mentor might be able to learn something from you too, and it’s incredible when informational interviews can be a mutually beneficial experience.
Follow up with a thank you note. I’m a huge advocate of all things snail mail. It’s such a lovely personal touch.

What are the three most important lessons you’ve learned from your overall career path thus far?

Good things come to those who hustle.
It’s a bit of a cliche, but dress for the position you want to have. When I walk into a room of executives and am confident in my appearance, it’s much easier to focus on the task at hand.
Set your mind on finding a way to get paid for the things you enjoy doing in your free time. For me, that was initially fitness. Then I developed a passion for food/wine and parlayed that into a food editor role, and a side position as a restaurant reviewer for our state’s largest newspaper. When you have several “pinch me…is this real?” moments each week doing something you get paid to do, you know you’re in a good place.

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

I can’t miss an episode of “Carpool Karaoke” and am finally catching up on the amazingness that is Parks and Recreation. I’m pretty sure that Leslie Knope is my spirit animal. Of course, I read dozens of magazines on a monthly basis. NPR.org is my go-to for all things current events, and I’m about to begin the novel The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Skills & Expertise

What Does a Photo Editor Do? Role, Skills & Career Path

Find out what it takes to launch a career in this essential media role

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

3 min read • Originally published December 13, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

3 min read • Originally published December 13, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

We know how badly you want to be the next Annie Leibovitz. We totally get it—she’s so good. But before you start applying for photo editor gigs to get the ball rolling, you should know the job is more about choosing an awesome photo than it is taking one. We asked an OG photo editor to shed some light.

What exactly does a photo editor do?

We don’t mean to burst your bubble, but despite your expertise behind the lens—no one can find the right light like you—you won’t be functioning as a photographer. But you’ll be too busy determining photo needs, hiring photographers, allocating and coordinating assignments and approving images to miss taking pics. A photo editor also selects, edits and positions photos; negotiates fees and rights agreements; arranges travel; books studio time; and gets permissions to shoot.

“A photo editor works with designers and other editors to create a full, rich experience for the reader or customer,” says Robyn Lange, curator of Shutterstock, which provides high-quality licensed imagery and music to businesses. “They produce photo shoots, research and license available content, and edit the incoming photos to choose the best images to tell the story.”

What skills does a photo editor need?

Creativity and a well-trained eye are important. So is a solid foundation in photography and art history.

No one expects you to be a professional photographer, but it helps to have a basic knowledge of color balance, lighting and even some film techniques, says Lange, whose job it is to determine which of Shutterstock’s 90 million images best represent a project.

You’ll also need attention to detail and organization skills to surmount the logistical challenges that’ll inevitably arise when producing even the smallest photo shoot, she adds.

What about digital skills?

“Photoshop and InDesign skills are especially helpful to either perform small corrections yourself or to better understand the needs of the art department,” Lange continues. Experience with Illustrator, other photo-editing software such as Lightroom and Bridge and some knowledge of videography and video editing is icing on the cake.

Who is a photo editor’s supervisor?

It depends on the organization, but you’ll likely be taking direction from an art or photo director.

What does it take to excel in this position?

A deep-rooted passion for photography and the industry in general, for starters. As with most jobs, liking what you do comes across in your work, and this gig is no different.

And flexibility. Sometimes your concept may leave the editors and designers you work with scratching their heads. Be willing to reevaluate (or change) your vision when necessary.

Any other tips?

“Keep your eye on photographers and their portfolios, particularly emerging photographers and developing trends within the industry,” advises Lange.

How can I break into this field?

Three words: Build your portfolio. Your fine arts degree is awesome and all, but let your work do the talking. Oh, and stay focused (pun intended)!

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Productivity

9 Proven Techniques to Write Faster and Earn More

A collection of all the best writing productivity tips from content master, Neil Patel

By Bizzy Coy

Bizzy Coy is a freelance copywriter and humorist whose creative writing has appeared in The New Yorker and McSweeney's, and who is the author of "Personal Space." She has received fellowships from Fulbright, MacDowell, and NYSCA/NYFA, and has written for clients including Disney, Condé Nast, and Broadway.

4 min read • Originally published December 14, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Bizzy Coy

Bizzy Coy is a freelance copywriter and humorist whose creative writing has appeared in The New Yorker and McSweeney's, and who is the author of "Personal Space." She has received fellowships from Fulbright, MacDowell, and NYSCA/NYFA, and has written for clients including Disney, Condé Nast, and Broadway.

4 min read • Originally published December 14, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

When you write for a living, every minute of your day is important. If you’re not writing, you’re not making money. Learning how to write fast is crucial to increasing your productivity, and your income. And even if you’re not a full-time writer, chances are your job requires A LOT of writing. We’ve compiled nine of our favorite techniques to get you working faster from the king of content creation, Neil Patel.

1. Talk it out

“Everyone is different, but most people can talk significantly faster than they can type,” says Patel. “I’m talking 3-4 times as fast.”

He recommends Google docs voice typing, where you speak into your computer’s microphone and your words are automatically typed onto the page. With this tool, you can create a very quick “spoken draft” which you go back and clean up later.

2. Limit distractions

When you’re really in a time crunch, distractions can lead to disaster. So, put your phone on silent, turn off your music and close the door. Use a tool that will block you from visiting certain websites while you’re working.

“The urge to check email, visit social media sites, or just click a bookmark to go to your favorite site to kill time is strong,” Patel says.

Don’t give in!

3. Pick the right time of day

Maybe you’re a night owl, or maybe you’re an early bird. “Writing is a mentally demanding task,” says Patel. “You should do your writing during your most productive time of the day. If you do so, you could turn a two-hour article into a one-hour job.”

Not sure what time of day is right for you? Try writing in the morning one day, mid-day the next, and at night the next. Take a few notes after each work session to document how much you got done and how easy or hard it was to do.

4. Outline first

Never start with a blank screen. When you sit down to write, you should have an outline ready to go.

“When you have an outline in place, your brain is already familiar with the way you should structure ideas,” Patel says. All you have to do is flesh out your bullet points into sentences. Far less intimidating than a blank screen—and lots easier to write.

5. Take frequent breaks

When you’re hurtling towards the finish line, your brain gets tired and you become less productive. It might seem counterintuitive, but taking time away from your work is the best way to get things done fast.

Patel recommends structuring your time using the Pomodoro Technique, created by Francesco Cirillo. According to this productivity method, you work for 25 minutes followed by a 5 minute break. Repeat this four times, then take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

Try it out using Tomato Timer.

6. Set a deadline

According to Patel, “The problem many professional writers have is that they give themselves a day to write a post, even if they may not need it.”

Try giving yourself a more strenuous deadline—one or two hours from now, instead of at the end of the day or end of the week. “If you give yourself too much time to finish something,” he says, “it will take longer to do.”

7. Skip the tough parts

We all hit a wall at one point or another. It could be an idea, a sentence, or even a single word. Whatever has you stuck, don’t waste time trying to come up with a solution right then and there. Instead, skip it. Move on to an easier part of your project, and come back to the tough part later. By the time you revisit, you’ll have a solution.

Find yourself getting stuck frequently? You might want to rethink your content topics altogether.

“If you’re trying to write about boring topics, you’ll have trouble getting very far,” says Patel. “You’ll be banging your head against a wall if you try to produce content you’re not passionate about.”

8. Use short sentences and simple words

Your writing doesn’t have to be fancy and flowery. Keep it simple. Big words and complex sentences take more time to write—and they also take more time to read.

Patel notes a study that found reading from a screen is painful for our eyes. “For this reason, people read 25% slower on a computer screen compared to print,” he says. “Writing shorter sentences will help your readers assimilate your ideas and put them to work.”

9. Edit later

“Research has shown that constantly shifting focus can decrease productivity by up to 40%. This is the main reason you don’t want to write a sentence and then think about whether you should edit it,” according to Patel.

Focus on putting new words on the page, and don’t worry about whether they’re perfect. Come back later and edit with fresh eyes.

Topics:

Be Inspired, Productivity

Go Freelance

How to Become a Successful Ghostwriter: A Complete Guide

An experienced ghostwriter shares her tips and what to expect on this obscure career path

By Karen Dikson

@karendikson

Karen Dikson is a creative writer and blogger from New Jersey. She is an intuitive and creative thinker who is able to connect various thoughts into a single theme. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading classical literature and traveling. Connect with her via Twitter.

6 min read • Originally published December 15, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Karen Dikson

@karendikson

Karen Dikson is a creative writer and blogger from New Jersey. She is an intuitive and creative thinker who is able to connect various thoughts into a single theme. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading classical literature and traveling. Connect with her via Twitter.

6 min read • Originally published December 15, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

A ghostwriter is a person who writes things for other people, and then those people put their names on it. You are paid to write things, and nobody will ever know you wrote it because other people will take the credit for it.

It sounds grim having other people put their names to your work, but ghostwriting is one of the few areas in the writing industry where you may make a living wage without qualifications and without being famous beforehand.

I started my career at the EduGeeksClub writing service, where I have had a very varied and successful life as a ghostwriter. Here I’m sharing the tips I wish somebody had shared with me when I started.

Some of them may seem a little bleak, but the theme is that if you can get through the bad stuff and keep improving yourself, you can actually make money and be successful as a ghostwriter.

Follow Opportunity, Not Your Dreams

This is probably the most important point. If you are trying to follow your dreams, then get a full-time job and follow your dream as a sideline. If you want to make money as a ghostwriter, then follow the opportunity.

You may not enter the ghostwriting field to become the most popular unnamed expert on insulation plumbing articles, but those articles may end up paying your bills for years to come.

When 50 Shades of Grey was published, and again when the movie came out, there was a massive demand for erotic fiction featuring rich men. Demand was so massive that I could name my own price and clients would fall over themselves to accept it, especially after reading the samples I created for them. I never dreamed I would spend my evenings writing erotic fiction, but that’s just what I did.

Be Prepared To Accept A Low Wage

Not to squash the optimistic and bright-eyed reader, but writing is quite a low paid job because there are epic amounts of competition out there.

The only upsides are the fact that your product is around 80% profit, and if you write to order (rather than pre-writing), then all of your stock sells.

Your overheads are also relatively small, and you can put in as many hours as you wish.

For the first few years, I had to accept a lower wage because I was pretty bad at my writing (almost all writers start out that way). Then I was accepting pay rates based on how much time I spent on each project.

The more time and attention I pay, the more I demand. I can write 800 words in an hour, off the top of my head and charge a lower rate if I so decide.

Learn How To Talk Your Way Up Because You Cannot Add Things To Your CV

Were you the person that wrote the Felix kitty chow website and part of its major online campaign? Did you start a craze for first-person funny stories? Were you the person that transcribed 23 TED talks that were then placed verbatim into a certain director’s book that he claims to have written?

Part of you may be proud of what you did, but you cannot write it on your CV because you are a ghostwriter, which means you give up your rights to the work.

If you want to sell your services, you need to know how to talk a good game because you cannot show off your CV.

Either post numerous CVs under different names on the Internet, or post none at all. When a client asked for articles on seducing beautiful women, I said I have been writing about it for years. If another client asked for articles on childcare, I said I have been writing about it for years.

I could post lots of different CVs online and point clients at the most appropriate one, but it is easier to post no CV and talk my way into jobs.

Communicating online gives you time to do a little research and planning before the next message arrives, so use it to make yourself a temporary expert in whatever is being asked of you so that you may reply to each message with an air of competence.

Become a Subject-matter Expert

By all means, you should dabble in as many areas as you see fit. After all, anybody can conduct research on the Internet to write an article just about anything, but to remain profitable, you need to know as much as you can off the top of your head, otherwise you will burn through time doing research.

Take different types of jobs until you settle on an area, and then hit that area hard with hours upon hours of work so that you can make a living wage. Do a little research into the pros and cons of specialization.

Ghostwriting is a business, and your time is your most valuable asset. I once read that it takes about an average of 25 minutes per distraction to return to the original task.

I didn’t believe it until I started timing myself for each project. I now understand that the time I spend on a project is very important. Learn about a subject, so that you waste less time doing research when you write about it.

Every project that requires deep research will require more time, which lowers your profit margin. Taking a diverse range of projects is fine, but try to stick to what you know if you want to make more dough.

You Need To Learn Some Major-league People Skills

As a writer, you probably know how important the hustle is. You need to be just as good at selling yourself and connecting with clients as you are at writing.

With ghostwriting, there’s a lot of interaction with the client. So once you successfully schmooze yourself into the gig, you need to be great with all your other communication skills.

Every point of contact with the client is an effort to maintain your expertise and intellectual credibility. (Read: No typos, ever!)

Cultivate a Massive Amount of Personal Patience

Finally, before concluding, let’s mention patience. Your clients are going to bother you with everything from not understanding their own instructions, to misinterpreting what you wrote.

The virtue of patience is not a requirement for being a ghostwriter, it will just save you a lot of time and aggravation. On the other hand, sometimes you just need to cut some clients loose.

Conclusion

Building relationships with clients is probably the only way to remain consistently profitable as a ghostwriter.

If this is impossible because you only work on single-use projects such as essays or autobiographies, then find an agent or a seller and allow them to do the selling while you do the writing.

Foster those relationships with your clients and help them trust you because trust is your most profitable selling point.

About the Author: Karen Dikson is a creative writer and blogger from New Jersey. She is an intuitive and creative thinker who is able to connect various thoughts into a single theme. In her free time, Karen enjoys reading classical literature and traveling. Connect with her via Twitter.

Topics:

Go Freelance

Skills & Expertise

2016 Media Predictions Review: Which Forecasts Actually Came True?

Now that the year is wrapping up, let's assess the top prognostications made for the industry last year

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

4 min read • Originally published December 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

4 min read • Originally published December 19, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

The new year is rapidly approaching, which means articles about the future of media are parading across your newsfeed. But before you accept these predictions as gospel, let’s take a look at the media forecast for 2016—and see how many expert-backed prophecies actually panned out.

Ding Dong, Ads Are Dead

The prediction: Many media experts called 2016 “the year of the ad-pocalypse.” Digital News Reporter said consumers were in a “boisterous and resistant mood.” The number of mobile and desktop internet users arming themselves with in-app, ISP, and browser ad blockers was expected to grow dramatically.

The reality: Unfortunately for the advertising industry, this prediction came true. More than 69 million Americans used an ad-blocker this year (based on mid-year estimates).

That’s 34.4% higher than last year.

Accuracy score: 5 out of 5

Mail… kimp?

The prediction: According to senior editor for features at CNN Digital, Mira Lowe, audio storytelling wasn’t going to slow down anytime soon.

“In 2016, we should expect to see—or perhaps it’s hear—more podcasts as more newsrooms find success with audio content,” she wrote.

Lowe identified three areas for growth: “interesting sound produced for social web,” like clips from inside a hurricane; investigative pieces, including deep-dives into old crimes; and cultural conversations, like BuzzFeed’s Another Round.

The reality: If it seems like everyone you know subscribes to podcasts these days, you won’t be surprised to learn Lowe was right on track. Roughly one in five Americans have listened to a podcast in the last month. In 2015, only 17% of the U.S. population could claim the same.

It seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle. The more content there is, the more frequently people tune in. And the more frequently people tune in, the more content creators produce.

Accuracy score: 5 out of 5

Stream It to Me, Baby

The prediction: With online streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Video, many media analysts warned people would cancel their cable subscriptions in 2016. Millennials and Generation Zers received a new nickname: “cord-nevers,” or people unlikely to ever pay for traditional TV.

The reality: While broadcast subscriptions dipped in 2016, the numbers weren’t as dire as many pundits predicted.

PwC’s 2016 Media and Entertainment Outlook found 78% of American households pay for OTT services (or content via the internet rather than your TV). However, the majority of them use OTT to complement their cable packages—not replace them.

Accuracy score: 2 out of 5

Content Kingdom

The prediction: Content marketing was declared to be king in 2016. Content Marketing Institute’s survey revealed 77% and 76% of B2B and B2C marketers, respectively, planned to increase their content marketing efforts this year.

Not to mention the vast majority of marketers said they were prioritizing “engaging content” as they headed into the new year.

The reality: The inbound marketing train continued to pick up speed in 2016. According to HubSpot, industry adoption rate varies from 57% at the low end (healthcare) to 89% at the high end (ecommerce).

But the predicted focus on content creation didn’t turn out to be entirely accurate. The same HubSpot report showed marketers’ top objective was growing organic and SEO reach, not writing blog posts as it’s been in the past.

Accuracy score: 4 out of 5

Show, Don’t Tell

The prediction: Al Cotterill, creative strategist for Instagram’s Creative Shop, told Marketing Week in January that 2016 would be the year of visual storytelling.

“The proliferation of mobiles and smartphones has changed the way brands are communicating, with a focus on imagery over text,” he said.

Cotterill believed companies would experiment with a variety of formats, from short videos to real-time images.

The reality: When it comes to the Big Three (Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat), Cotterill was right on target. Each of these social channels added enhanced visual content options.

Facebook rolled out live video to all of its users early in the year, then announced a few months later these videos would show up higher in newsfeeds while they were actually live. The company also added live reactions, filters and replay comments, along with additional ways to stream and discover content.

Snapchat released Spectacles: glasses that let wearers record “Snaps” from their literal point-of-view.

And Instagram made major waves when it rolled out Instagram Stories in a clear attempt to dethrone Snapchat. The platform then introduced live video, which Snapchat doesn’t offer.

When you look at these updates, it seems obvious visual content has become more popular. But don’t forget, this was also the year Vine (a short-form video app acquired by Twitter in 2012) was axed.

Accuracy score: 5 out of 5

All in all, the prognosticators were pretty insightful. However, it’s always best to consider next year’s predictions through the lens of your own business’ goals and objectives.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Skills & Expertise

What Does an Editorial Assistant Do? Role, Skills & How to Get Hired

While this entry-level position has its share of menial tasks, you'll get to exercise skills you didn't even know you had and gain invaluable experience in the process

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

4 min read • Originally published December 20, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

4 min read • Originally published December 20, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Oh, hey there, recent grads, aspiring writers, and editors. We hear you’re ready to apply for an editorial assistant gig to jump-start your career. Great! Sounds like a plan. But first, check out what someone in the know has to say about this killer entry-level opportunity.

What exactly does an editorial assistant do?

Whether you work in book publishing, traditional media, or a digital publication, there’s usually some invoice and check-request processing, document scanning, meeting scheduling, editorial calendar managing, and submission tracking going on in Editorial Assistantland. But fret not, future editors. You’ll get to flex your editorial skills too.

Depending on your industry, an editorial assistant also pitches and researches stories; writes articles, promotional materials and/or jacket copy; copy edits or proofreads texts; and creates and curates digital content, including social media posts. You may also transcribe and conduct interviews, fact-check stories, screen manuscripts (you could discover the next Toni Morrison!), research photos, and assist with photo shoots. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get a variety of experiences under your belt.

“No single day is the same,” says Erika Ostroff of Yahoo Style. As assistant editor, a role the company defines the same as an editorial assistant, Ostroff does everything from pulling data analytics to attending events such as the Met Gala, Victoria Secret Fashion Show and SXSW to report for the site via social media. Sounds amazing.

Career Path and Progression: The Editorial Ladder

Ready to climb the editorial ladder? Starting as an editorial assistant is like getting a backstage pass to the publishing world. You’re in the room where it happens! From here, you could shimmy up to roles like associate editor, section editor, or even the coveted editor-in-chief throne. But remember, it’s not just about climbing; it’s about growing. Soak up every bit of experience and knowledge. Who knows? The next big editor-in-chief could be you!

Industry-Specific Roles: Your Editorial Playground

Think of the editorial world as a playground and each industry as a different ride. In book publishing, you dive into manuscripts, maybe even unearthing the next literary sensation. Over in the digital realm, you’re the jack-of-all-trades, mastering everything from snappy social media posts to engaging online content. And traditional media? That’s where you get to flex those hardcore journalism muscles. Each industry offers a unique flavor to the editorial assistant role, so pick your playground and start playing!

Networking and Professional Development: Schmooze or Lose

Let’s talk networking – it’s not just schmoozing, it’s essential! Rub elbows at industry events, join online forums, and don’t shy away from those professional development workshops. Remember, the editorial world is tight-knit; your next big opportunity could come from a connection you make at a casual mixer or a LinkedIn comment. Stay curious, stay connected, and stay ready to learn. Your future self will thank you!

The Digital Evolution: Stay Ahead of the Game

Hashtag DigitalSkillsMatter! The editorial world is evolving at the speed of a tweet, and you need to keep up. Brush up on your CMS know-how, get cozy with Photoshop, and maybe even flirt a little with HTML and SEO. These skills are becoming the bread and butter of the modern editorial assistant. In a world where content is king, being digitally savvy is your crown. Wear it proudly!

What skills does an editorial assistant need?

Writing skills, of course. You should be able to string together a pretty awesome sentence, devoid of grammar and spelling errors, so make sure your English skills are on point, and brush up on AP and Chicago style rules.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are also important, as is the ability to prioritize and multitask.

And any experience with CMS, HTML, or software such as Photoshop and InDesign is icing on the cake.

Wait … so digital skills are important?

Totally. “[Hashtag] GirlsWhoCode (or boys) all the way,” says Ostroff, who’s well versed in all things digital, from HTML and JavaScript to rich pins and SEO. “My dad always says: ‘The best restaurant owners can wash dishes, wait on tables, [and] cook, if they have to, and I think that theory applies in this space too.” In other words, the more you know, the more you grow.

Anything else?

Be nimble. “There’s always a new story, trending topic or social platform that you have to be ready to tackle with dexterity and speed,” says Ostroff.

Who’s my boss?

It depends on where you work and the size of the company, but you’ll likely check in with a senior or managing editor. You might even report directly to the editor-in-chief (no pressure or anything).

How do I stand out—like, how do I kill it?

“I’ve found that people associate excelling with being first—first to break a story, first to post that awesome original Instagram photo or first to tweet what you think you saw, [but] being thoughtful and right is more important than being first, and knowing how to manage that will help you excel,” Ostroff says.

How can I become an editorial assistant?

If your resume lacks J-school cred, don’t stress. Show potential employers you’re familiar with different platforms and can maintain a unique voice, advises Ostroff, and you’ll be good to go. Just hop on over to the job board and start searching for open editorial assistant or assistant editor jobs.

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Career Transition

7 Secrets to Launching Your Freelance Career While Still Employed

If you're thinking about making the leap into freelancing while keeping your current job, follow these tips for success

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

5 min read • Originally published December 26, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

5 min read • Originally published December 26, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Getting your freelancing career off the ground while you’re still at a traditional job is a smart strategy. Most people take a sharp hit in income when they first begin working for themselves—however, waiting to leave your current position until you’ve gotten your solo career semi-established will help you avoid this pay cut.

In addition, you can figure out the ins and outs of freelancing while you still have a safety net. Mistakes become a lot more serious when you’ve only got one source of income (and it’s irregular, to boot).

But as wise as this approach may be, beginning freelancers often struggle to get started. If you don’t know what to do, use this roadmap.

1. Review Your Job Contract

If you’re in a writing-related role, it’s possible your employer has prohibited you from creating similar content. You don’t want to violate a non-compete clause — even if your employer doesn’t fire you or take legal action, your professional reputation will undoubtedly suffer.

Cover your bases by double-checking your contract and reviewing all the fine print.

2. Talk to Your Manager

Although telling your boss about your freelancing aspirations isn’t necessary, there are several possible outcomes. First, she will be able to tell you definitively whether your work is above board. There may be certain caveats; for example, if your day job involves writing about the medical device industry, your supervisor might say you can freelance about any topic but this industry.

Second, you’re far better off letting your manager know you’re freelancing than having her stumble across your work online.

When you give her the heads up, make sure you communicate this role is still your priority. You might be planning on leaving eventually (or soon!), but that’s a conversation for a different time. Plus, plans change. It could be dangerous for your boss to doubt your commitment if you decide to stay longer than you’d anticipated.

3. Make a Schedule

At the end of a full day at the office, the idea of sitting down to work more may sound completely unappealing. But you can’t launch a freelance career without regularly producing. Setting a schedule is essential.

When you begin, start with a fairly undemanding quota — maybe 25 to 30 minutes per weekday and two hours over the weekend. As time goes on, consider ramping up to 45 minutes to an hour on weekdays and four hours on Saturday and Sunday.

4. Set Aside a Dedicated Time to Pitch

Many freelancers are surprised to discover pitching is just as—if not more—important as doing to getting your freelance career off the ground. However, while working regularly will help you hone your skills, you won’t be able to score any bylines or clients without pitching.

After you’ve become established, you’ll receive queries from repeat customers, referrals and clients who have seen your work elsewhere. For now, you’ll need to proactively reach out to clients. Dedicate at least four hours per week to finding, researching and sending pitches to your targets.

5. Look for Freelance Gigs

Along with proactively pitching publications, you should also browse job boards like Mediabistro to find freelance gigs. Searching “freelance writer” “contract writer,” “writer for hire,” “freelance blogger,” “short-term writer,” “remote blogger,” and other variations on those terms will help you hone in on the relevant jobs. Just sub in “designer”,”producer”,”photographer”,etc.—whatever your speciality is—to find the opportunities that are right for you.

You should consider a couple of things when deciding which gigs to apply for.

First, does it require deep subject matter expertise or extensive experience? It’s pretty unlikely someone looking for an expert will hire a new writer.

Second, will you get a byline or credit? There’s nothing wrong with ghostwriting, but those new to freelancing should prioritize credited pieces. When you pitch new editors or clients, apply to other gigs, or add clips to your portfolio, you need content with your name on it.

Third, how much time will the gig take? It’s easy to get excited and overcommit yourself. Because you’re still working a full-time job, smaller freelancing projects are optimal. If you tackle something you don’t end up finishing on time, you’ll damage your reputation in the freelancing community.

6. Tell Your Network

Your friends, family and professional contacts can be a fantastic source of clients as well. Use social media to distribute the news that you’re freelancing at scale. For instance, you could write a LinkedIn status along the lines of:

“Excited to say I’m now freelancing on the side. If you’re interested in X types of projects (or know someone who is), please email me at yourname@gmail.com.”

Meanwhile, you might post on Twitter:

“Now accepting clients for X types of projects, please email me at yourname@gmail.com if interested.”

Facebook and Instagram are good sites to update as well if you’re hoping to score referrals or jobs from your personal network.

7. Create a Portfolio

The majority of editors and clients will want to see samples of your work, if not your entire portfolio. Rather than waiting until you’ve got a sizable body of published pieces, shortcut the process by creating a portfolio site and uploading samples for hypothetical publications or brands.

For instance, if you’re hoping to cover music, you could write a long-form piece on a local band for an imaginary magazine. Or if you want to go into recipe writing, you might develop four or five recipes for a cooking publication.

There are several easy-to-use website creators. We recommend Squarespace, Wix and Journo Portfolio.

If you’re serious about going down this path, sign up for our course on Developing a Successful Freelance Career, to learn everything you need to know about navigating contracts, pitching clients and marketing yourself.

Topics:

Be Inspired, Career Transition

Job Search

The Best Career Advice We Published in 2016

From practical job search advice to the skills you need to get ahead, here's what you all read and shared the most last year

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

2 min read • Originally published January 4, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

2 min read • Originally published January 4, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s been nearly a whole year since we relaunched the Mediabistro website with a stronger focus on helping you land your next gig and find success in your career. From answering every job seeker’s most pressing questions to sharing advice and stories from pros in the trenches, here’s what industry pros like you read and shared the most in 2016.

No One Is Responding to My Job Applications. What Should I Do?
We’ve all been there. Based on the comments and questions from some of you, it’s not surprising this one topped our list.
Keep These Words off Your Resume
It seems like those cliche terms make your resume sound like it should, but they really don’t.
10 Instagram Profiles Every Media Professional Should Follow
These accounts will help you be better at your job and enjoy your day a bit more.
Nailed the Interview but Didn’t Get the Job? Here’s Why
If only being great at interviews were all it took to land the job.
Nail These 4 Interview Questions to Land the Job
These expected interview questions need to have unexpected answers.
How to Find a Job in a New Field When You Have No Experience
The career transition can be a hard nut to crack, but it’s 100% doable.
10 Digital Skills Every Media Pro Needs to Master
Forget about what your “role” is. You need all of these skills. Period.
8 Key Steps After the Interview to Land the Job
There’s the interview prep, the interview itself and then there’s everything after.
Social Media Skills You Need to Hone Now
These are the social media skills that matter (right now).
Breaking into Medical Writing and Editing
A steady AND lucrative writing/editing career? Makes sense this one made the cut.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search