Brian Merchant and Keith Wagstaff developed their freelance journalist careers through different routes – Merchant only writing while Wagstaff also edited.
Merchant, 26, got a B.A. in English before moving to New York City for journalism. "I just wanted to do it period. I would write anything," Merchant explained. Which he did, writing for citysearch.com about men's fashion boutiques, "the one thing I had the least interest in," he laughed. It took Merchant two years to build his full-time freelancing career, a process he described as “fun and always a bit of a struggle.”
Merchant now has steady freelance assignments focusing on environmental, social, and political issues. He writes for TreeHugger, Salon, and Planet Green in addition to his weekly column for Good about a refugee in Burma.
Merchant’s first editor at citysearch was none other than Wagstaff, 28. Wagstaff got his B.A. in print journalism and worked in editing for five years, first in California and then in New York. After much preparation and editorial connections, Wagstaff launched a full time freelance career six months ago. His preferred beat is food writing. Check out his recent piece for Village Voice.
Merchant and Wagstaff noted that freelancing has challenges, namely those of running one’s own business; however, they value the freedom and flexibility of freelancing for numerous and self-chosen publications.
Freelancing for online media in particular allows for feasible adjustments to the changing media atmosphere. Though few staff writing positions for print media now remain, positions at many levels are available online.
Online media shifts away from longer analytical pieces but has the perk of immediate publishing and payment. Thus, Wagstaff and Merchant find that money management and authorial satisfaction come easier when freelancing for online outlets than with slower print sources. The downside to such online pieces is also this length and style. Wagstaff said he seeks out “more meaningful pieces” at times. “Well,” Merchant added, “longer pieces at least.”
Merchant and Wagstaff advised that a graduate degree in journalism is costly and unnecessary. Though it brings connections and provides preparation for editing positions, they don’t think it better prepares a person to write today, especially as online media continues to shift from traditional conventions.
Instead, they suggested internships (if you can afford to intern without pay) and pitching to small, local papers. They advised knowing a particular beat well, developing connections and clips in that area, and proving your dependability to editors.
“Editors just want to know your clips and that you’ll make their life easy,” said Wagstaff.
They suggested resources to include Ed2010, mediabistro.com, and even craigslist.
Though the long hours and low pay are difficult, Merchant and Wagstaff find this worth the flexibility and lifestyle of freelance journalism.
“How many people do something they’re really into?” Wagstaff asked, noting that he loves to write, to meet people, and to constantly learn new things.
“You have to really want it” said Wagstaff. But Merchant concluded, "Yeah, but it can be fun."
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