How to Pitch Lonny Magazine: A Freelance Writer’s Guide

Pitches that focus on interior design trends and home décor profiles can earn you a byline in this online shelter publication

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published April 9, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published April 9, 2018 / Updated March 19, 2026

Monthly Unique Visitors: 4.3 million

Background: Many shelter publications focus on showcasing homes that are crammed with exquisite (and outrageously expensive) items. So, while their pages may be fun to look at, they’re not very useful to consumers who don’t have multiple thousands to spend on interior decorations.

Lonny came onto the scene in 2009 and sought to create bit more balance in the shelter publication world. The site features beautiful designs that can be achieved on a budget, said Angela Tafoya, editorial director. The publication looks at décor from an “aspirational but attainable approach,” she says.

The publication’s audience is geared toward the 18-44-year-old demographic and its base is 93% female. Readers have purchasing power and may have purchased a home.

What to pitch: Editors have a steady roster of freelancers who they call on to bring article ideas that were conceived in-house to fruition; but they’re very open to new voices.

Freelancers who have access to the owners of a beautifully designed home can pitch the Home Tours section. This vertical houses the highest performing pieces on the site, and editors like to showcase a variety of homeowners who have great stories to tell about the spaces they’ve created, says Tofaya. Subjects of Home Tours articles have included interior designers and authors, as well as less notable folks who have beautiful indoor spaces. Word count: 1,000-1500.

The Lines We Love section is also open to freelancers. This is the place to pitch profiles of emerging designers. Word count: 300-500.

Pitches that focus on home design trends are also welcome. These are slideshows that run about 250 words with 90-word captions.

Editors are open to trying new things, so feel free to pitch ideas that don’t fall specifically within the scope of the aforementioned verticals. City-guide roundups and first-person pitches that are related to home décor are all fair game.

What not to pitch: The Trending vertical, which covers up-to-the-minute news stories, is handled in-house.

What publicists should pitch—and when: Editors are interested in receiving home-related product pitches, but they may be even more interested in a home profile story about the person who created the product line. Celebrity home profile pitches are also welcome. Lead time is 4-6 weeks.

Percentage of freelance-written content: 30%

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 50%

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: A freelance writer pitched A Chicly Renovated Spanish Revival in Los Angeles for the Home Tours section. Freelancers also pitched a trends piece that focuses on the Buffalo Check pattern phenomenon as well as a Lines We Love article that profiles Logan Killen Interiors.

Etiquette: Editors like to see pitches that are only about one paragraph in length and are sent in the body of the email. Include an article hed as well as links to relevant clips, but please do not send any attachments.

Lead time: 4-6 weeks

Pay rate: $300-$500

Payment schedule: Invoice upon acceptance

Kill fee: 20%

Rights purchased: Varies depending on the assignment

Contact info:

Lonny

101 Redwood Shores Pkwy. #150

Redwood City, CA 94065

Lonny.com

Twitter handle: @LonnyMag.com | Facebook

FirstName.LastName@Livingly.com

Direct all pitches to:

For Home Tours, Lines We Love, and first-person stories, editorial director Angela Tafoya: ANGELA dot TAFOYA at LIVINGLY dot COM

For home design trend pieces, senior associate editor, Shelby Wax: SHELBY dot WAX at LIVINGLY dot COM

Topics:

Go Freelance, How to Pitch

How to Pitch

How to Pitch Mom.me: Submission Tips for Freelancers

Send editors your best first-person stories about the highs and lows of parenting.

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

2 min read • Originally published February 20, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

2 min read • Originally published February 20, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

Monthly Unique Visitors: 5 million

Background: Mom.me kicked off on Mother’s Day 2012 and was acquired in 2018 by Rock You Media (now known as Wild Sky Media). But the shift in ownership did not change the site’s primary mission of helping to guide women through one of life’s biggest challenges: motherhood. “We’re targeting millennial moms and looking to explore new motherhood and the highs and lows that come with that,” says Laura Clark, editorial director of parenting.

The site covers pregnancy through the elementary school years, but the most popular articles focus on parenting children who are kindergarten age and younger.

Mom.me also offers trending news stories in addition to pregnancy and baby articles, DIY projects, recipes, and fashion and beauty coverage.

What to pitch: First-person stories are the best way to get your foot in the door. “What we’re looking mostly for now is those first-person stories,” says Clark. “Our audience loves first-person stories.” Pitches can cover everything from conception to pregnancy to the kindergarten years. And editors are looking for authenticity in your pitches. “Let’s not sugar coat what goes on when your body changes and you become a mom,” says Clark. Stories that focus on how your relationships change when you become a parent (relationships with your friends, your partner, etc…) is a category that’s particularly popular with Mom.me readers. Word count is 700-800.

What not to pitch: News and lifestyle are covered in house.

What publicists should pitch—and when [lead time]: Publicists should only submit products that can be used from pregnancy to ages 5-6. You can also submit studies that can support a news story. Lead time is one month.

Percentage of freelance-written content: 50 percent

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 25 percent

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: Freelance writers penned Let’s Be Real, Sometimes Motherhood Is Boring AF and Our Date Nights Were Getting Miserable — Here’s How We Changed That.

Etiquette: Keep your pitches short (1-2 paragraphs) and within the body of the email. Editors like to see a quick description of your story idea as well as a bit of information about yourself and links to relevant clips. And please include the world “pitch” in the subject line.

Lead time: Pitches are welcome on a rolling basis, but seasonal pitches should be sent at least a few weeks to a month in advance.

Pay rate: $75

Payment schedule: 30 days from the invoice date

Kill fee: None

Rights purchased: All rights

Contact info:
Mom.me

Wild Sky Media
1111 Broadway, 3^rd Fl.
Oakland, CA 94607

Mom.me
Twitter handle: @momdotme | Facebook

Direct all pitches to:
Deputy editor Esther Carlstone: ESTHER dot CARLSTONE at WILDSKYMEDIA dot COM

Deputy Editor Lauren Levy: LAUREN dot LEVY at WILDSKYMEDIA dot COM

Topics:

How to Pitch

How to Pitch Motherwell: A Freelancer’s Guide

Motherwell editors are looking for parenting essays that focus on a wide range of issues

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

2 min read • Originally published March 11, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

2 min read • Originally published March 11, 2019 / Updated March 19, 2026

Background: Motherwell went live in 2016 and has become a resource for all things related to parenting and culture. The site covers a wide range of topics, ranging from pregnancy loss and educational issues to gender roles and the emotional fabric of parenthood.

“We want Motherwell to be a home of civilized debate on the parenting topics that matter most,” says Lauren Apfel, co-founder and executive editor. Editors don’t shy away from conflicting points of view because they know that parenting is important work and each family does it differently. They believe that modern parenting is a complicated entity and love to showcase a full spectrum of parenting experiences.

What to pitch: Editors are looking for crisp, thought-provoking writing on a particular slice of the parenting experience across a range of themes: culture, family life, obstacles, and the process of overcoming them.

Personal Essays: Editors want first-person narratives with a unique focus on an aspect of modern parenting. Word count: up to 1200.

Perspective Pieces: Hit editors up with first-person pieces that cover a newsy, topical or controversial issue. They’re looking for tight, well-argued pieces that weave anecdote and analysis to make a strong case for a particular point of view. Word count: up to 1200.

What not to pitch: Editors are interested in hearing about all sides of the parenting story.

Percentage of freelance content: About 90%

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: About 5%

Recent stories submitted and published: Freelance writers pitched How to Rekindle Love After Kids? Try Fresh Limes, and Fighting the Patriarchy One Grandpa at a Time.

Etiquette: Submit only fully written articles via Submittable. For time-sensitive pieces, writers are encouraged to include the word “timely” in all caps in the subject line.

Lead time: Variable, but usually within 2-3 weeks

Pay rate: $50 for selected featured essays

Payment schedule: On publication

Rights purchased: Writer retains rights, within a timeframe

Contact info:

Motherwell

Twitter handle: @motherwellmag | Facebook | Instagram
Email: motherwellmag@gmail.com

Direct all pitches to: Submittable.com

Topics:

Go Freelance, How to Pitch

Journalism Advice

3 Web Tools That Will Supercharge Your Idea Generation and Research

By Chris Johnson

3 min read • Originally published May 19, 2020 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Chris Johnson

3 min read • Originally published May 19, 2020 / Updated March 19, 2026

3 Web Tools That Can Help in Idea Generation and Research

Every writer has their tricks for inspiration or getting unstuck. For some it’s reading, jogging, or engineering breaks into the day with a Pomodoro timer. Others recharge by playing games like solitaire or table top games.

But the modern internet itself holds some newer tricks up its sleeve for us. Looking up internet search data might seem like the domain of a savvy online marketer–but a few of these tools can be surprisingly helpful for writers too. Here’s a quick round up of three that are simple, free, and often overlooked.

Use Google trends to support your research

Google receives over 2 trillion searches a year. A mind-boggling sum. With that is valuable data on what people like and what’s happening in the world. It’s insightful for any journalist, and fortunately, Google does not make this information entirely private.

You can access popularity trends on what people are searching on Google Search trends. You can view the data over time, and even drill into how it’s trending geographically.

Let’s say you’re writing an article on vegan diets. By searching “vegan,” you’ll find that it has been continuing to rise in popularity for well over a decade, but over the last three years, it’s plateaued a bit. You can even compare the popularity of searches. By adding “vegetarian” as another search parameter, you’ll find that it’s searched much less than “vegan,” perhaps suggesting veganism is more culturally popular.

Get to know SimilarWeb

SimilarWeb is another overlooked tool for journalists. It allows you to understand website metrics, like how many visitors a website gets, and where they get their traffic from.

For example, to continue with the vegan theme, you’ll find that the vegan restaurant recommendation site, Purple Cow, is quite popular according to SimilarWeb. That can be used to make suggestions on which restaurant aggregator you want to include in your article, or who you might want to reach out to for expert opinions.

With SimilarWeb, you can also find similar sites. For Purple Cow, it shows a variety of Vegan related websites. If you want to understand the landscape of a particular space and who the players are, this is an excellent tool to quickly do that.

Remember related searches

When starting an article, you are likely going to brainstorm all the different angles and areas you can cover for a particular topic. You’ll Google search a topic, and read the first few articles to start coming up with ideas.

There’s is a much easier way to brainstorm. After searching for a term, when you scroll all the way down on the Google search results, at the very bottom, you’ll see related search terms. For “Vegan,” you’ll see “vegan lifestyle” and “vegan benefits,” and if you drill in further from there, you’ll see “vegan benefits for skin.” You can easily see how this can give you a number of angles to consider.

Surprisingly, we’re so used to looking above the fold at the top Google search results, that this has become an easily forgotten, but powerful feature on Google.

—

Modern writers can benefit from borrowing techniques from others working on the web, and adding a few tricks like these to the bag, might just land you that next article.

Topics:

Journalism Advice

Go Freelance

Ready to Go Full-Time Freelance? Here Are the Steps to Take

Stats show that more people are leaving their jobs to work for themselves

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

4 min read • Originally published November 30, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

4 min read • Originally published November 30, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s no secret that we’re living in a historical moment. This past year has shown that job-seekers’ patterns are changing with the current work landscape. As the flexibility of workers’ schedules adjusts with remote work and with people leaving their jobs in higher numbers than ever, stats show that more people are leaving their jobs to work for themselves. Long gone are the days when employees stayed at the same 9-to-5 job until retirement. In fact, 58% who didn’t freelance before the pandemic are now considering it.

This data points to the fact that the move to full-time freelancing will most likely continue to be a trend in this “workers economy,” with people wanting more flexibility and freedom within their careers. If you’re currently a part-time freelancer or are looking to make the transition from working for someone to working for yourself, these tips should be helpful as you navigate your next steps.

Build A Network of Clients

One of the most crucial things one can do when making the jump from working for someone to working for yourself is building a network of clients. This can be gradual as you build your portfolio and clientele. Networking is important—even when you work for yourself. If you create a good name for yourself and your work through your current clients, you’ll be able to build on that. Get your name out there!

Define Your Rate

Okay, you have some clients—now what? Defining your rate (and sticking to it) is crucial to making the jump to full-time freelance. Freelance rates are a heavily debated topic, as your experience level will depend on how much you should charge. With that being said, sometimes you’ll have to compromise with certain clients (especially starting out), but once you’ve become established, it will be easier to navigate and put your foot down with a set rate. Here’s an article that will help you calculate your rate.

Maintain A Regular Schedule

Most people who work freelance prefer it because they’re able to have a flexible schedule—working when they choose. This appeals to many who want to work outside of a traditional 9-to-5. However, when you make the jump to full-time, it’s crucial to maintain some kind of regular schedule. As your work life and personal life become more blended, you should aim to maintain a sense of when you’re “in office” and “out of office” in order to create boundaries for yourself and your work. Sometimes this includes working on weekends. The good thing is that it’s up to you!

Keep Track of Invoices & Costs

You’re building your clientele, you’ve set your rate, and you’re maintaining a regular schedule. The next thing you want to do is keep track of your invoices, as you (typically) are your own accountant. Using invoice tracking software can help you see your month-to-month income and stay organized when adding up fees. It’ll also be able to help you see how your negotiated rate can really add up!

Maintain an Online Presence

Your online presence is more and more important these days for self-promoting your work, but it especially is if you work for yourself and need to meet new clients. Their impression of you is most likely to start by your online presence, whether it’s your Twitter, Instagram, website, or all of the above. This goes hand-in-hand with the service you’re providing too. If you’re solely a freelance photographer, Instagram may be the main route for you to showcase your work. If you’re a writer, you may want to have both a website of links to your writing and also stay active on Twitter so potential clients can immediately see your writing tone.

Prepare for Unpredictability

The freelance world is one of flexibility—but also unpredictability. The economy’s changing landscape comes with perks like working from home and if you’re full-time freelance, working when you want and how you want. However, this goes hand in hand with some months being more fruitful than others. By nature, your workload and income can change each month. With that being said, you’ll have to be fully prepared for ebbs and flows, but that’s just part of the process. As you shape your own work days, prepare for freedom but also buck up, because now you are your own boss.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Business Basics, Go Freelance

Be Inspired

How to Become a Content Creator: Essential Skills You Need

Five tips to keep in mind as you embark on your content creation journey

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 8, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 8, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

In the world of smartphones and social media, it has become easier to be a content creator now that users have access to platforms they can use to connect and share information across the country—or even the world.

Additionally, people are consuming more and more content each day. The barriers that previously existed for content to be published are either gone or more flexible, creating the perfect opportunity for those who’d like to become content creators in this day and age. There’s no hiding that the creator economy is thriving.

Who are content creators, exactly? Well, they wear many hats. They are videographers, writers, photographers, and graphic designers. At the end of the day, they are storytellers.

Does this sound like something you’d want to pursue? In the everchanging and exciting world of content creation, here are some tips for you as you embark on your journey as a content creator.

Produce Content That Is True to You

There’s a lot of noise in the world of scrolling, likes, and comments. The first step in becoming a content creator is making content true to you—and it will help you find your audience the most organically. While you’ll want to pay attention to trends from other content creators, you’ll also want to make content that stands apart and is unique to you.

Maintain A Strong Brand Identity

While you’re producing content that is true to you, you want to find that feeling, or brand identity that makes you unique and run with it. Your brand identity should be consistent throughout the platforms you’re active on.

Engage with Followers

Being a content creator isn’t just about creating—it’s also about maintaining a relationship with your followers and engaging with them as they interact with your content.

With that being said, it’s also crucial to interact with other content creators—not only to keep up with current trends but also to build a community with people who are doing the same thing as you. This will help spread your name and eventually reach a wider audience.

Try New Features

A large part of being a content creator is keeping up with current social media trends, as they are an ever-changing aspect of creating media in our very digital world. Instagram’s new reel’s feature has proven to be a driving component for a content creator to build their audience. In other words, the world of content creation is just becoming more video-focused.

Keep Track of What Performs the Best

Most social media platforms let you see your data: your impressions, likes, comments, retweets—you name it. This can motivate you to immediately pay attention to what resonates with your audience (and what doesn’t). While you should be focused on this data, don’t let the numbers get you down. Ultimately, they’ll just help you strive towards your goals.

And while you’re here, check out our own class on content marketing and social media video strategy.

Topics:

Be Inspired

Career Transition

10 Creative Jobs Worth Exploring for Your Next Career Move

If you’re looking to switch career tracks and into something more creative, here are some jobs to consider

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 14, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 14, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

You may have heard of something called “The Great Resignation” recently. This term has been used to describe the large number of mid-career people leaving their jobs in search of something new. As workers are resigning in higher numbers than ever before, they’re also gravitating towards careers that fulfill their passions and creative desires. It’s clear that people are searching for a certain type of contentment within their day jobs that they may not have had before.

As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be…I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

While creative and media careers can typically vary depending on the type of job, they almost always involve brainstorming, thinking outside of the box, and original thought. So if you’re looking to switch career tracks and into something more creative, you’ve come to the right place. Below are some creative careers to consider.

Copywriter

Copywriters typically work for businesses or advertising and marketing agencies. They…you guessed it…write copy! What does this entail, exactly? As a creative member of the marketing team, copywriters write advertising, website, blog, and even social media copy that aligns with the company.

See copywriting jobs here.

Creative Director

Creative directors are the leaders of a creative team, whether that be a group of artists, graphic designers, videographers, and more. They are involved in every aspect of executing creative branding and messaging from the company.

See creative director jobs here.

Editor

An editor’s role is to critically read or edit—whether that’s articles, stories, books, or any form of written text. The editor also works with writers by directly editing their work and collaborating with them to ensure their work is set for publication. There are a variety of types of editors—from newspaper editors, book editors, copyeditors, developmental editors, video editors, and more.

See editorial jobs here.

Photographer

Photographers are visually motivated people who document with cameras. There is a wide variety of types of photographers. They may specialize in people, landscapes, architecture, food, products/merchandise, or other subjects. Many photographers are freelancers, but if not, they usually work for a newspaper or magazine.

See photography jobs here.

Graphic Designer

The goal of a graphic designer is generally to captivate an audience with aesthetically-pleasing visuals that are in line with the company’s brand. Their job is to visually communicate with both the employees of the company along with clients or potential clients. They can be found across industries and can work on a variety of products depending on the company.

See graphic designer jobs here.

Web Designer

Web designers, also known as web developers, oversee the execution of a website’s appearance and layout. They typically work for companies or clients who want to launch or rebrand a site. Web designers do a lot of behind-the-scenes work with websites, including coding and programming.

See web designer jobs here.

Topics:

Career Transition

Get Hired

Why Your Holiday Break Is the Perfect Time to Job Hunt

From organizational spreadsheets to online courses to volunteering, here are some ways to utilize your holiday break while job searching.

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

2 min read • Originally published December 16, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

2 min read • Originally published December 16, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

Many people think of the holidays as a time when employers are out of the office and aren’t actively seeking candidates. However, this isn’t entirely true as many companies use this time to hire, as they should. Not only that, but a candidate’s competition is low since this isn’t such a popular time to be job-hunting. Also, start dates may become more negotiable and flexible over this time period. And if you’re a freelancer, it could also be an ideal time to pitch.

This time of the year brings many things: more family time, travel, food, and more. Consider giving yourself the gift of a new job this holiday season.

Use downtime (and PTO) to update your resumes & portfolio

For most employees, the end of December through the new year is a time for rest and reflection. If you’re currently employed, use as much PTO (paid time off) as you can to focus on the two main components that will land you an interview in most creative fields: your resume and portfolio.

See the resume services we provide here.

Get organized

Now is the time to make up for all the procrastination surrounding getting organized—or the tasks you may have neglected in the midst of a challenging or hectic year. Sometimes life can feel too overwhelming (especially when job hunting) to spend time stepping back and assessing your actual job-hunting process.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you get organized:

Do I have a list of my top potential employers?
Have I created spreadsheets of jobs and where I’m at in each stage of them?
Have I set up daily job alerts?

Gain certifications

Is there a skill you’ve been wanting to add to your resume, but just haven’t yet? Your holiday break is an opportune time to polish up on those courses or credentials needed for your dream job. You may even be able to gain a few certifications, as places like LinkedIn Learning offer courses that span from two to four hours.

Volunteer

Lastly, if you’re wanting to fill your time with something other than sending out applications but still want to improve your resume and add value to yourself as a potential employee, you should consider volunteering in your community. Not only does recent volunteer work look stellar on a resume, but it also comes with other benefits like taking a step outside of yourself, and pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search

Climb the Ladder

The Best Writing Tips and Resources to Sharpen Your Skills

Here are some principles to keep in mind that will make your writing stand out—and will help you become a better writer

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 21, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published December 21, 2021 / Updated March 19, 2026

We live in a world of constant communication. Technology has made it easier to be in touch, whether it’s with people all over the world, your friends, your coworkers—the list goes on and on. A takeaway from this known fact is that most people are also writing constantly, even if they don’t consider themselves writers. Say you don’t spend hours a day working on a specific writing project, but you are most likely crafting a message in some way.

Regardless of it’s an article, a short story, or even simply a cover letter, it’s writing coming from you that you can sharpen with rules and standards that you set for yourself. In fact, within most creative fields, your writing is usually the first thing employers look at during the hiring process of potential employees. The first tool you’ll need is a pen, pencil, or a device to type on. With those things, you’re halfway there.

As Margaret Atwood said, “A word after a word after a word is power.”

Here are some other principles to keep in mind to make your writing stand out—and become more powerful.

Read more than you write

This rule goes back to the type of writing you’re doing, but writers typically all agree that the more they read, the better they get at writing. Read widely and diversely. Pick up books from authors you have never heard of. Read online articles that pique your interest. Read anything you can get your hands on. This will help broaden your vocabulary and will be a chance for you to gain exposure to many different types of writing styles.

Be direct

Beating around the bush does not go hand in hand with effective writing. To get your message across, you need to be as direct, clear, and concise as possible. Direct writing can take practice, but the more you practice it the more it will come by naturally to you. Short sentences can sometimes be a lot more commanding and powerful than longer ones.

Find your authentic voice (and use it!)

Once you’ve gained exposure to many different types of work, it’s crucial for you to figure out what your voice and tone are, and then execute them with your writing to provide consistency. Like most lessons with writing, it takes practice to really hone these things. In fact, they may never be perfect, but they are both factors that will make your writing stand out in comparison to your peers’ writing.

Use unique words

Thanks to technology, there’s now free software you can use to ensure you’re broadening your vocabulary. Grammarly, for example, monitors your writing and gives you weekly reports on specific words used, along with giving you writing advice in real-time. This includes pop-ups of alternative words you could be using instead, creating a practice to help you learn in real-time.

Have different people review your work

You should always double (or triple) check your own writing, especially depending on the formality level of it. However, it’s also best to have many different eyes as possible on it, which will bring you fresh perspectives and will ensure there aren’t typos or errors within your work. Don’t be shy to ask friends or family to review it. You can also seek professional editing help through different online services, like freelance copyeditors and proofreaders.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Be Inspired

Media Freelance Trends for 2022: What’s Changing and How to Adapt

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published January 4, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jess Focht

@jessfocht

Jess Focht is a writer and content strategist with 6+ years of experience in media, publishing, and brand storytelling. She has contributed to Insider, Grammarly, and The Creative Independent.

3 min read • Originally published January 4, 2022 / Updated March 19, 2026

2021 was a record-breaking year for many reasons. As more employees got comfortable with working from home, we saw trends in companies becoming more flexible with remote work. With more flexibility came more change within the media world and beyond.

If you’re looking for a creative or media job in the new year, here are some important takeaways from the past year and some predictions for 2022—and how you can take advantage of these trends. Below is what we predict in the new year ahead.

People will continue to freelance

People left their jobs in record-high numbers this past year, which led to what experts are calling The Great Resignation. Not only has work-from-home given employees the chance to branch out, but it has also allowed introspection time for people wanting a career change or to simply work for themselves.

Statistics have shown that they’ve decided to make that leap in 2021, which we predict will stay in 2022. Freelancing allows more flexibility for one’s schedule and has proven to be the right move for those who want it. If you’re thinking about making the move to freelance in 2022, we have some tips for you.

More merging for media companies

Numerous media companies merged in 2021, including (but not limited to) Buzzfeed acquiring Complex Media, Future acquiring Marie Claire, Axel Springer acquiring Politico, and more. We predict this trend will not go away anytime soon within the media world.

What does this mean for you if you’re looking for a job within the industry? Be prepared for change and consolidation at the company you start your job at, as media companies continue to evolve.

Workers will grow their digital skills

Each year, our world becomes more digitally focused, specifically within the media and creative industry. Employees in the industry, or people who want to make the leap to work in the media industry, have taken notice. LinkedIn notes that the three most in-demand jobs from last year were digitally-focused.

With that in mind, we predict that people will gain digital skills of all kinds: social media strategy, search engine marketing, adobe suite, and more.

Social media platforms will be just as important

Many creatives have taken to social media platforms to promote their talents and have ended up benefitting from it by gaining industry contacts or landing jobs. Whether it’s showcasing your writing, photography, or social media strategy, these platforms have made it possible for people to connect in new and more immediate ways than they had before.

We predict that one’s social media will continue to be able to be a platform for creative job searches—which will have an impact on one’s job search, and ultimately their career.

Video will be here to stay

Due to the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels, there’s no hiding that video-focused content is here to stay. Visual content will continue to make its mark in 2022, as more companies and outlets adapt to this trend.

All in all, the media and freelance industries are adapting to flexibility and a more digital, video-focused world. With the predictions above, you’ll be able to head into the new year prepared for exciting change ahead.

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Ciara LaVelle