Romancing The Media
The success rate of your work in print is eqivalent to how good you are at what you're writing. -- Puja Goyal
(Source: Vijay Times, THEME EDITION, Page - 3.)
Imagine a situation where you do not have to report to anyone, do not have to conform to rules and regulations, and you can do what you want and be paid for it. Imagine a situation, where you can be your own boss, work when you want to, and sleep the day out through afternoon… if you want to. Sounds like a dream, like living as a teenager for the rest of your life??
Growing up into adolescence comes with the attribute of being the born rebel whose heart wants to sing its own song, and paint its own pictures in colors of orange and red… If you still feel this way after all these years and are one of those who are afraid of commitment then maybe you just might have a freelancer in your blood.
I am a freelancer. I dislike being told what to do, how to go about doing anything, and enjoy being my own boss. I want to stand on the tallest buildings and scream," I'm the king of my World!!" and then suddenly find myself hitting Ground Zero, but not so much as with a thud… being a freelancer in media also requires doing a lot of homework… okay… what is that word again?? HOMEWORK!
Although the thought is very liberating, it is not as easy at it seems especially if you find yourself freelancing in media. Wait!! Don't write it off yet; I said 'not as easy' I didn't say it was impossible, but it is tough.
Have you read an article in a newspaper or a magazine and said, 'Wow! I can do this" or 'This is something I want to write on.' And then you write to the publication praising them on the article, and commenting on their well-articulated words… whilst secretly wondering and wishing you could voice your own opinion too. I would say, go for it!! Voice your opinion. It is good to give frequent feedback to articles you like. It is one of your chances to be recognized as a freelancer.
"Surprisingly, most people in the media line are freelancers." Says Paul, who is a freelance voice over professional for passion. With the growth of number of television, print and electronic mediums for communication and information exchange, the opportunities to be seen in print have increased. Does this mean that one jumps into the line for the adulation and limelight, just to be heard? "You HAVE to give quality output," says Paul. Freelancing for long-term sustenance does require talent to back the absence of a secure nine-to-five job.
To increase audience reach many freelancers therefore write for various papers and magazines instead of being tied down to one paper. It is also beneficial to the newspaper agencies as they get to experiment and allow a lot of creative in flow through them, instead of printing stereotype articles.
The drive for a freelancer in media is 'himself'. Paul adds "individuals in media prefer to be freelancers because a boss may not be the best motivator for someone who is creative." Your skill is your best output and your inner drive is your best motivator.
The success rate of your work in print is equivalent to how good you are at what you are writing. It is difficult to establish a market or have editors pay heed to what you have written, but one should keep writing and looking out for agencies that require freelancers. The good thing in all this is that if your work is good you will be printed and be noticed… and then get more work.
Freelancing does require a good amount of self-discipline because you are your own walking talking business house, requiring the least amount of investment. Yes, freelancing for media is NOT capital intensive.
Although freelancing for media is all about creative writing, one still needs to eat in order to feed the creative appetite. Paul is a little disheartened by the output as far as the finances goes … "Compared to India, freelancers abroad stand to gain more than freelancers in India, this is because the money earned here is less and one has to sustain oneself… the pay is below industry standard. This is one of the reasons why most freelancers have more than two or three sources of income… because the income is limited if you are not able to build in a name in the long run." The good thing is that over time, a freelancer can build on his reputation and work with whomever he wants to.
Research on appropriate print media papers which encourage and require freelancers, and knowing what one is good at writing (subject matter) is equally important, which will lead to good work and branding will happen only if one consistently writes and sets targets.
So lets get back to the drawing board, in other words chalk out a plan of action, because freelancing for media requires consistent writing, and if you have decided to be one, then you need a plan FAST, because you are only known by your previous story.
Copyright © 2005 Puja Goyal
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