This is not the definitive page on how to freelance, but I have done my best here to help the hundreds of students who email me each year for their school projects or personal interest.

Freelancing entails coming up with interesting stories at home, or abroad, sometimes looking for them, and sometimes "falling into them"!

Then, once you have a great story, find the BEST OUTLET--magazine, newspaper, radio station or other that covers those kinds of issues and will more readily listen to your idea.

If it's a timely story, FAX your 1 page proposal letter, with a resume and a couple other articles you've done to the MANAGING EDITOR of the publication.

If it's not timely, this will only madden the editor (!), so SNAIL MAIL your proposal to them!

How to write a proposal letter is covered in many books which may be bought at a store or borrowed from a library.

Don't know the SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS where to send your article or documentary? Check out Journalism Net, for magazines and newspapers worldwide--leads you to their websites which leads you to their contact information so you can mail your proposal from anywhere worldwide! You may want to email them for contributors' guidelines too. Site allows you to search newspapers for facts too!

Freelancing isn't always easy, so one's creativity and energy are the best ways to be successful. Creating a specialty for yourself is a great idea to--eg. medicine, business or technology, and create a portfolio of articles you've done on your specialty to send editors along with your proposal.

Good luck!
Lisa
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