tips & tricks on how i make it as a freelancer
tip 1: i created a google doc called 'pitches & ideas' where i brain dump all of my ideas, people i want to interview, upcoming themes/ holidays etc, just so i can stay on top of myself & dont lose them (i am super forgetful memory)
tip 2: on the doc, i flesh out the pitch in a paragraph or 2 to give myself or anyone i want to pitch what the story idea is about. this helps me stay prepared, so i dont have to be scrabbling for ideas/pitches last minute. any old 1's pitches, I update 2 see fit
tip 2A: having good pitches is one step. getting them to the write publication/editor is super important. you can have a great idea, but having a GREAT editor will help tremendously & elevate the story. #teamwork
tip 3: I have a google spreadsheet titled 'editors & publications' where i have the names of the publications I want to write for, editors (& their titles), emails, the last time I pitched them & the status of the story.
tip 3A: reason I have the last 2 columns is to remind myself when was the last time I reached out to X editor (just in case i need to follow up with them), and whether that story was picked up or nah... like i said I am quite forgetful
Tip 3B: i have info of editors from Forbes, NYT, ESPN, Billboard, & so many more. Some will ask 'how did I get them?' and I will say 'Twitter & Google is $free.99' A lot of their info is in their twitter bio.
I also update this doc every few months because 1) it's a small world and 2) people get new jobs, promotions, companies shut down & be firing people all willy nilly.
Tip 4: PUBLICISTS ARE YOUR FRIENDS! At the end of the day, everyone tryna eat. partner up with publicist/PR/event coordinators/ companies & ask them how you can be a resource to them.
Tip 4A: at the bottom of my editors& publication sheet, I have a tab for PR & managers. on that tab, i have their emails, the company, their roles who they represent. How i get this info: twitter & google is $Free.99.
tip 4B: I always make sure Im kind to everyone (bc my momma raised me right) and because you never know where people will end up a year from now. PR being the gatekeepers will always keep you in mind for future scoops & opportunities
tip 5: lastly, just so i dont lose sight of my goals, the 3rd tab on my google sheet are my goals. for TV i want to work with Complex, @Essence & @mic. As you can tell it needs to be updated. 😏🙃 but ya'll got the point.
tip 6: I'm all about working hard. BUT you need to work smart & GRIT to make anything happen — especially your dreams.
thats all i got. if you got tips or people that can help me w. my goals HMU. i want to learn to be better.
FIN.
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