There are many different ways to become a professional writer. Many of us are fortunate enough to have found our way through a traditional route of learning and then practicing our skills while working for others in a corporate environment. However, there are others who may have found their way into the field through more unconventional routes. Regardless of how you got here, congratulations! You’re in the right place.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to further develop your career in television and film, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss six ways to get a TV or film writing job that don’t involve starting from scratch.
1. Write For Magazines And Journals
The most straightforward way to gain experience as a TV writer is to simply write for magazines and journals. This can be tremendously helpful since you will be learning from professional journalists who have experience in fact-checking and reviewing your work. Moreover, many magazines and journals are only interested in paying for original content, so you can build up your portfolio without worrying about money.
2. Start A Blog
Blogs are all the rage these days, and for good reason! They’re a fantastic tool for building your portfolio and gaining experience as a writer. The key is to pick your niche, build your audience, and then monetize the blog. You can do this simply by creating and sharing content that is both informative and interesting. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable source of information, you can gradually introduce more personal elements into your writing. For example, you could write a blog post about how you’ve changed as a person since your last break up and then follow up with some dating advice for single women. Not only will this be interesting to your audience (and possibly even monetizable), it will also be a great opportunity to practice your writing.
3. Start A Podcast
If you’re the kind of person who likes to hear stories and learn from other people’s experiences, you may be interested in creating your own podcast. This can grow into a full-blown TV show if done well, so long as you can find the right hosts and guests. Simply search for podcast ideas and then pick out one, two, or three subjects you’re interested in exploring. You can use a tool like Zoomer to easily schedule guests and episodes. Moreover, you can take this opportunity to interview some of the biggest names in journalism, politics, business, and entertainment. The key is to find the right guests and then curate an interesting episode that will draw listeners in.
4. Get An Agent Or A Manager
An agent is a professional who represents other authors and negotiates contracts on their behalf. It’s also a fairly common practice for agents to get involved in the editing and fact-checking stages of a manuscript. Even if you don’t have an interest in becoming an author, you can still use an agent to get you started. They will take care of all the administrative stuff, negotiate the contract, and then get you onto the right editor. Moreover, if you’re looking for a job in TV or Film, having an agent is definitely a good idea. They can help get you in the door and then help you build a portfolio.
5. Join A Magically Undetected Writing Circle
This is one of the more interesting options on our list, but it’s also one of the more effective. Using a service like Storyful provides you with a group of people who are interested in your work and willing to provide constructive feedback. Essentially, you’re joining a “magically undetected writing circle” where professionals will help you find your voice, improve your pitch, and then get you published. Moreover, if you join a writing circle, they will also help you find an agent and even manage your book contract if you’re so fortunate as to land one. Storyful is committed to leveling the playing field for writers and can get you started for free if you have a Twitter account. Even if you don’t, you can simply use their platform to build a following. From there, you can use your existing networks and social media platforms to find a group of people who share your passion for writing.
6. Start A Fan Page Or Page On Facebook
A fan page or a Facebook page is a terrific way to build your portfolio and gain experience as a writer. Moreover, if you have a large enough audience, you may even be able to monetize the page. The key is to find a niche, build a community, and then use the platform to your advantage. For example, you could start a page dedicated to fashion on Facebook. You could interview top fashion journalists and curate interesting content about the industry. Moreover, you could use the page to highlight upcoming fashion trends and even host a competition where users can submit their best outfit ideas. All of this would not only be useful for your writing career, but it would also be a great way to engage with your audience, show off your fashion sense, and perhaps even make a few bucks.
There are many different ways to write for media outlets. Many of us choose to write for large publications with broad audiences that can later translate into employment opportunities. However, regardless of how you got here, you’re in the right place and can utilize the above-mentioned resources to help you find your way. Good luck!