Freelance Writing Markets for Former Journalists

Former journalists can find the transition to freelance challenging. As a longtime newspaper reporter and magazine editor, when I first started freelancing I focused on what I already knew I could do: journalism. And it worked! I was getting regular assignments from local magazines like Hawaii Business, and landed bylines in national publications like Popular Science, Discover, and National Geographic Traveler. 

After a few years, though, I was getting burned out. The magazines I wrote for paid well enough for the industry, but I was working hard for the money. Even though I loved journalism and knew I was great at it, I also knew this wasn’t sustainable. As a single parent living in an expensive state, I simply needed to make more money and work fewer hours. So I started looking for new markets.

“Journalism-Adjacent” Publications

At first I was lost. I knew other freelancers who wrote for agencies or private businesses, but that didn’t feel right for me since I’m not a copywriter (and don’t want to be). But soon I realized that there are many markets out there where I could use my journalism skills and get paid more.

I think of these as “journalism-adjacent” markets. I report facts, quote sources, craft narratives, and even sometimes use the inverted pyramid, but the client isn’t a magazine – it’s a private organization. 

Here are some examples:

Association Magazines

Almost every professional association has a magazine, and most of these magazines use freelancers. These publications are a membership tool, not revenue-generating businesses, so their rates tend to be stable and their survival doesn’t depend on advertising revenue. The articles they assign include profiles, features, news, Q&As, and even reviews — perfect for former journalists. Examples I wrote for include HR Magazine (SHRM) and the National Culinary Review (ACF). Some of these magazines have such mainstream distribution that you might not realize they’re actually association pubs. For example, I contributed regularly to Science, which reads like a “real” magazine and adheres to all the journalistic practices and ethics I knew from my newspaper days, but is actually a publication of the AAAS. 

Trade Magazines

There are hundreds of print and online publications that report on various industries. Some are affiliated with industry associations, and some are completely independent. Like association magazines, assignments are ideal for former journalists — industry news stories, profiles of leaders or business owners, feature stories, and even on-the-ground coverage of events like conferences. Some examples from my portfolio include the Global Aquaculture Advocate and TLNT (which covers the HR industry).

Organization News Sites

Many large businesses and organizations have some kind of site dedicated to sharing their own news. Some post new stories weekly, while others publish multiple stories a day. Stories might cover promotions, awards, projects, and achievements. I specialize in writing about medical and scientific research, so I often write stories for medical centers or research institutes about new studies published by their scientists. For example, I write for the Cleveland Clinic news outlet ConsultQD, which shares news about Cleveland Clinic medical studies. I love news and find news stories easy to write (thanks to my years as a daily reporter), so these types of clients are a natural fit for me. 

Alumni Magazines

Former journalists who love writing profiles and human interest stories should consider pitching alumni magazines. Nearly every university publishes an alumni magazine as an benefit meant to promote alumni engagement and donations. If you write a story about an interesting for another publication, find out where they went to college and repurpose your research by pitching a profile to their alumni magazine. And tap into less competitive markets by thinking beyond universities; many medical schools, law schools, and other graduate schools or colleges have their own publications. Private high schools are also an overlooked market that often pay well. I’ve previously written alumni profiles for Maryknoll, a private high school in Hawaii, as well as Iolani School (my alma mater!). 

Moving Forward as a Former Journalist

Making the decision to leave journalism isn’t easy. Many of us changed careers not by choice, but because it wasn’t sustainable anymore. The good news is, your skills as a journalist are highly transferable. By looking for journalism-adjacent markets, you can find freelance clients that allow you to keep doing the kind of writing you do best, while also making more money.

Are you looking for a highly skilled former journalist to write for your organization? Contact me to let me know what you need!