If you’re a creative writer with a flexible schedule and a large social media following, you might be able to command some of the highest paid freelance writing gigs around. But how much can you get paid to write for a newspaper? That is the question.
The answer will depend on your experience, the demand for your work, and how willing the newspaper is to pay for content that promotes their products. But for the sake of argument, let’s just say you’re a highly-skilled, experienced wordsmith who can write in a variety of styles and has a knack for coming up with catchy headlines – how much can you get paid to write for a newspaper?
The most lucrative markets for freelance journalism include lifestyle, business and tech pieces, as well as breaking news assignments.
The least lucrative markets include government and charitable writing gigs.
Here are some examples of what freelance writers have been able to negotiate with major newspapers and magazines:
NYT — The New York Times
In 2019, the New York Times was one of the most influential newspapers in terms of circulation and reputation, and it clearly valued its editorial content. In fact, the Times had 83.8 million monthly average unique visitors and a 20.3 percent market share, according to the most recent data from Statista.
The paper has a variety of sections including life, arts and culture, sports, and business, all of which are highly-read and regularly updated. What’s more is the Times often commissions freelance writers to cover a variety of topics within these sections.
It’s a great opportunity to gain more experience and build up a portfolio if you are looking to break into the industry. As a starting point, here is what the Times had to say about its editorial policy:
“We’re looking for writers who can captivate readers with their observations on culture, lifestyle, and the world at large. The ideal applicant is a creative, well-written, and well-rounded individual who is comfortable with a fast pace and deadline crunch. They should also have a strong opinion on world affairs and be able to articulate their point of view in an engaging manner. Finally, a confident writer who can pull off humorous anecdotes is a strong candidate for a writing position at The New York Times.”
Wired — The Wired
If the New York Times is the Washington Post mixed with the Wall Street Journal, then the Wired is the Financial Times combined with the London Telegraph. It’s one of the most well-known and reputable publications for digital news and technology coverage. It’s also one of the most expensive – the going rate is around $20,000 to $30,000 per year. But if you’re able to secure a freelance writing position at Wired, you will be working for one of the most prestigious publications in the world.
As with the New York Times, the content published on Wired.com is frequently updated and there is a high demand for well-written content on a variety of tech-related topics. What’s more, since the publication is 100 percent digital, the pace is fast and the deadlines are incredibly tight. What’s more, the pay at Wired can range from $20,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on your experience.
It’s a great opportunity if you are looking to make a career change and can see yourself as a future media mogul. In order to secure this sort of gig, you will need to have a strong digital footprint and be able to secure freelance writing assignments for major tech publications. In addition to this, you will need to be able to secure high-quality audio and visual content for brands and businesses. To get started, here is what the Wired had to say about its editorial policy:
“Wired is one of the magazines providing independent journalism for over 30 years, and we’re looking for freelance journalists who can join us in providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives on the major issues of the day. Our audience is highly engaged and motivated, and they expect high-quality content daily. We’re looking for someone who can become a part of the Wired family and help us to inspire and connect with our readers.”
The Wall Street Journal — The Wall Street Journal
One of the most well-known and prestigious publications for business news is The Wall Street Journal. It’s owned by American Media Incorporated, which is itself a subsidiary of American Media Group, LLC. What this means is that the financial clout of the publication is almost beyond compare. It’s been around for quite some time and continues to be an integral source of news for people looking to keep up with the day’s corporate activity.
Like most major publications, The Wall Street Journal has a variety of sections including news, business, sports, science, and technology. The catch is that since it is a broadsheet newspaper, it can only publish a certain amount of content each day. What’s more is that the publication is looking for talent beyond its New York City borders, so if you are based elsewhere, you may need to cobble together a portfolio of work from a variety of other publications in order to make the grade.
Here is what the Wall Street Journal had to say about its editorial policy:
“We are looking for experienced and ambitious journalists who can grow with our company and help us to create a newspaper that is trusted around the world for its authoritative coverage of business and economics. Our journalism is well-respected for its impartiality and accuracy, and we want to continue to develop our strengths while being more efficient and productive. In return, we can offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and development, as well as a prestigious place in one of the greatest media businesses in the world.”
The Financial Times — The Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the most influential newspapers and magazines for business and financial news, as well as analysis and commentary. It is owned by the international media company, Pearson, which also owns the Financial Times Business Daily, a publication that covers all aspects of business, and the Financial Times Magazine, which covers culture, lifestyle, and trends. So, while the FT mainly covers business and economics, it has a massive presence in those areas as well as the ability to call on the expertise of its journalists in other areas.
The Financial Times has a large and engaged audience. It recorded 139.9 million monthly average unique visitors and a 22.9 percent market share in 2019, according to the most recent data from Compete. In addition to this, the paper has an active Twitter account with over 500,000 followers. What’s more is that if you are an experienced journalist looking for a new challenge, the Financial Times is one of the biggest publications that you could potentially join.
Here is what the Financial Times had to say about its editorial policy:
“The Financial Times is looking for well-written, hard-hitting, and incisive business and economic journalism. We want to maintain the high standards that our readers have come to expect and establish ourselves as the authoritative voice on business and finance. Our content reaches a large global audience, and we want to ensure that each article is as engaging and interesting as possible.”
There you have it. Four of the most influential newspapers and magazines that you can potentially get paid to write for. While the pay can vary widely, depending on your experience, the going rate for a high-quality article is usually between $15,000 and $30,000 per year. Not a bad sum, especially if you want to be able to pay for your kid’s college tuition.
How Much Can You Get Paid to Be A Social Media Influencer?
In today’s world, being a notable thought leader or social media influencer is a popular path to digital nomadism. While the money isn’t great – the average pay is somewhere around $30,000 per year – the job doesn’t feel like a typical nine-to-five. Instead, you will most likely get to work from a coffee shop or a library, depending on where you are located. You will then use your own devices to log in to social media and connect with potential clients.
The work can be quite fulfilling though. You will get to connect with digital nomads and Influencers from all over the world, as well as establish relationships with brands, companies, and other influential individuals in your niche. And the best part is that you get to choose your own hours and set your own deadlines. So, if you are looking for a change, why not give it a try? You may just find that it is the perfect career move for you.