Freelance magazine writing jobs

 8 Freelance Magazine Writing Jobs to Check Out in 2022

Like many other industries, the magazine industry has felt the impact of the digital revolution over the past decade or so. The magazine writing job market has changed considerably in that time, and there are both positive and negative ramifications to the changes that have occurred in recent years. In this post, we’ll explore some of those impacts and what they mean for freelance magazine writers, including eight (hopefully) exciting jobs you can apply for and/or pursue in 2022 (and beyond).

1) Group Contributor

Online magazines that specialize in accepting work from multiple contributors can be a good place for writers just starting out. Group contributor sites typically pay anywhere from $0.10-$0.50 per word, with payments delivered via PayPal every one or two months once you've accumulated a decent amount of money owed to you (usually around $20). To make more money, pitch your own articles directly rather than waiting for them to assign topics; some editors are more open to accepting pitches from established writers and will even fork over some extra cash if you can give them an exclusive look at something new. A lot of online magazine writing opportunities take between four weeks and three months or so to complete—with payment coming when it's all said and done—so be sure to keep a steady schedule!

Freelance magazine writing jobs

2) Teaching Position

More and more schools are adopting an integrated approach to their curricula. In addition to giving students a thorough understanding of math, science, literature, history and other traditional subjects, they’re also teaching life skills—in particular, digital ones like coding and project management. What’s more, as technology becomes ever more ubiquitous in society at large, demand for STEM-literate employees is rising (and it's set to continue growing rapidly over the next decade). If you know how to write code—or want to learn—you have plenty of opportunities available already. Just make sure you're familiar with all local licensing requirements first; working with children can be tricky business.

3) Local Writer

If you’re interested in freelance magazine writing jobs, local publications are an excellent place to start. The vast majority of them don’t pay as well as national and international magazines, but they offer an invaluable opportunity for getting your name out there. There are also more of them—just think about how many small-town papers exist across America, versus major national periodicals. The more places you have published work, particularly if those places aren’t limited to local papers (consider a few trade journals), will only help your chances at scoring better paying jobs down the road.

4) Columnist

Typically, freelance writers take on a column writing job after gaining experience with other types of freelance magazine writing jobs. In column writing, you submit a series of articles (usually up to four) for publication on a weekly or monthly basis. The column is usually tailored towards one topic, such as fashion or food, and can carry your name as an ongoing feature. For example, if you were hired by a magazine about eating out, they might hire you as their restaurant reviewer—and that's something that can help kick-start your career!

5) Technical Writer

Technical writers work with engineers and other employees who create technical products. That includes things like software and apps, but also physical products like cars or pharmaceuticals. They’re responsible for taking complex information and explaining it simply. They take care of communicating everything from operating instructions to how certain pieces of technology actually work. A degree isn’t necessary, though many employers look for people with an English or communications background; some high-level tech firms even prefer advanced degrees. Writers typically earn about $44,000 per year at mid-career, though that number can rise significantly if you have certifications or impressive qualifications from schools. For those who are considering starting a career as a technical writer, here are 8 freelance magazine writing jobs you should check out in 2022

6) Freelance Journalism

Although freelance writing jobs are difficult to come by, a select few editors consistently earn good money through their written work. According to PayScale, editors on average earn $49.32 per hour. If you're an editor looking for freelance jobs, however, it's worth knowing that many full-time editorial positions only offer annual salaries of around $50,000 a year. It also depends on where you live and which magazines you're editing—in New York City or Washington D.C., hourly rates are likely to be higher than if you worked as an editor at a small magazine out in rural Indiana. That said, working as an editor can help build your reputation and could lead to opportunities at bigger publishing houses down the road.

7) Freelance Book Author

So, you've written your first book. Or maybe you're just getting started. No matter what stage of writing you're at, it's time to learn about freelance book authoring. If you've been holding back from writing a book, here are some compelling reasons why it might be time for you to get moving: Books have a long shelf life; they can sell for years and years without you having to spend additional time promoting them. You'll earn royalties—meaning money will continue to come in even after your initial promotion has ended.

8) Translator/Interpreter

If you speak more than one language, then translating or interpreting might be a good option for you. The earning potential for translation jobs can vary, depending on your background and skill set. While most job boards list interpreter jobs separately from translator jobs, there’s no reason why you couldn’t also apply your skills as an interpreter toward working as a translator. In fact, many translators are bilingual themselves, making them a perfect fit for freelance positions as interpreters. Translating and interpreting work is typically independent contractor work—it’s just you against copy deadlines that keep getting extended. There’s no real office culture here (unless you work at home), but it does offer great flexibility. Translation jobs are often posted by large companies looking to translate documents into other languages, but they may also come from small businesses who need help with marketing materials. These types of jobs often require at least some experience in translation or interpretation, so if you don’t have any yet, start practicing! You could try taking classes through your local community college or even online through sites like Udemy (which I recommend). Or if you want something free, check out Google Translate (or Microsoft Translator) and practice by translating articles from English into another language and vice versa.