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Internet Internship: How to Establish Yourself as a Freelance Writer
By Tricia Ares
Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway both began their writing careers in journalism. Since the advent of the printing press, journalism has provided practical experience and networking opportunities for generations of young writers, writers who often began with a simple internship.
But what if you just can’t fit a traditional internship into your busy lifestyle? Savvy writers are learning how to utilize the internet to establish their reputations, network within the industry, and build portfolios. With three basic steps you can turn the internet into your very own internship.
Begin with Blogging
Forget what you think you know about blogging. We’re not talking about on-line diaries here. Take a tour of the web and you’ll find almost every website has a blog. Why? From a marketing perspective, blogs create a personal connection with the consumer while the updated feed enhances search engine optimization. Savvy writers are tapping into this growing need for quality content.
Like journalism, blogging focuses on productivity. The blogosphere demands a constant stream of updated information, forcing productive writers into a routine. Like journalism, blogging has its own format, so research the basics before you begin.
Remember, everyone has an expertise; so take a moment to consider yours. Have you acquired a vast amount of knowledge in a particular field? What are you passionate about? Do you have a concentration of skills or experience? Once you’ve discovered your niche, you’re ready to create your own blog. There are a number of free blogging services to choose from and most require little or no knowledge of HTML, simply choose a template and start writing.
Blogs can take anywhere from six months to a year to 'mature,' so don’t get discouraged by search engine statistics. Remember, you’re blogging to hone your skills and showcase your work. Make sure you keep your standards high. Examine your work with a critical eye before you post it. You’re not just writing, you’re publishing. Make sure you’re publishing quality work.
Your blog will not only serve as a basic online portfolio, blogging is a great networking tool. Join blogging communities, and find blogs with similar content. By developing relationships with your fellow bloggers, you create a network of mutual support that will help you move forward.
Networking
One of the greatest assets of an internship is the professional connections you make along the way. Savvy writers take advantage of the web’s large pool of talent, networking with other writers, editors, agents and publicists. But before you begin networking, consider the online persona you’re creating.
You wouldn’t show up for a job interview in an inappropriate outfit, so don’t choose a provocative photo or ill-conceived screen name. When creating online profiles, personal branding is essential. You can protect your private information with a pen name, but keep it professional, and be consistent.
Start with the popular social networks. Free and easy to establish, you’ll find many professional writers already have profiles within these communities. Next, search for professional organizations within your field of expertise. This will lend credibility to your writing. Finally, connect with your local writing organizations, most have their own websites, and they will provide a valuable bridge between the virtual world and the real world.
Building your online reputation requires more than a webpage; it requires a web-presence. Google your name (or pen name), and monitor the results. Potential editors and publishers may be Googling you, too.
Diversify Your Portfolio
After creating a substantial body of work on your own blog and establishing an online presence through your social networks, it’s time to diversify your portfolio. There are a number of ways to do this:
Guest blogging: offer to write an occasional post for others in your blogging network. Social Media: many of these outlets will compensate you for your writing, although minimally. The money is less important than the exposure.
Ezines and Online Journals: with 700-1000 magazines launched every year; many get their start online. New publications will be easier to get into and provide the valuable clips needed to submit to more established magazines. Many of these freshman projects can only afford to pay in printed copies, but again, it’s exposure that you’re after. Online Competitions: Enter as many of these as possible. Don’t be put off by small entrance fees. Often, that’s how they generate the award money distributed to the winners. An entrance fee also limits the competition to serious writers. The awards and recognitions obtained from reputable competitions not only demonstrate your ability to write well, but your ability to meet a deadline and follow submission guidelines.
Handling Feedback
Writing is always a learning opportunity. Whenever anyone comments on the style or content of your writing, considered their perspective carefully and thank them for taking the time to share their opinion. A writer’s true skill is not in the writing, but in the rewriting, making critical feedback essential to your developing craft.