As much as I sometimes feel as though I stumbled upon my writing career, I know I put in a whole lotta work to get to where I am — and I’m still putting in a whole lotta work to get where I want to be. It’s not the easiest industry to break into, at least with the intention of making a living out of it, but there are a few things you can do that will set you on the right path.
READ
Whether you know what kind of writing you want to pursue (be it in fashion, advertising or journalism) or not, it’s important to expose yourself to a ton of different types of styles. First of all, it’s one of the best ways to learn how to write since not everyone who pursues this career is cut out to be a writer and it also helps develop your own unique voice. Plus if you want to be a writer, you kind of have to love reading. They go hand-in-hand.
JUST WRITE
Practice makes perfect. If you consider yourself a writer but don’t actually write, then technically you’re not a writer. See the logic? But beyond that, you’re creating a portfolio and, if you blog, you might be setting up your own business/brand without even realizing it. I always think of the movie Julie & Julia when it comes to just getting over the fear and putting yourself and your work out there. It gets easier with time and your writing inevitably gets better, especially if you respond well to constructive criticism.
INTERN
I double majored in English and Psychology, but I also interned at various magazines throughout my university career. It’s by far the best thing I ever did. Not only did I learn so much at each place I interned at — for free and sometimes for pay, might I add — but I also created great connections that to this day still pop up on my radar as opportunities.
NETWORK
Jumping off that point about making connections while interning is simply attending events or striking up relationships in other ways with people in the industry. Make a good impression and you might not simply walk away with a job but a new like-minded friend. Not to mention that the industry always ends up being quite small in reality, leading people to recommend anyone that they got a good vibe from. Most of my
PITCH/SUBMIT
This is something I’m guilty of not doing. Although I’m sure I can hone this skill, I’ve enjoyed freelancing for one company over the last few years and before that working in-house. Yet in-house writing jobs can be far and few in-between depending on what industry you’re looking to break into, so pitching ideas or simply submitting work is often the best way to get paid.
Although there are many other ways to help get your foot in the door, these are a few of the ones that really paid off for me. Fellow writers, let me know if you have any tips of your own!
