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3 common freelance conundrums — and how to handle them
From pitching into an apparent void to dealing with “scope creep” — or when an assignment involves a lot more than what was originally agreed upon, without added compensation — freelance writers deal with some particular challenges that staff journalists typically do not. Of course, all journalists face many of the same issues from time…
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March Lunch and Learn: Pitching to your ideal publication
Seeing your byline in a magazine you’ve read since childhood or an online outlet all your friends devour is the pinch-me moment many freelancers dream about. But you can help make it a reality by taking some strategic steps, some AHCJ freelance members said during the March Lunch and Learn. Here’s a summary of what we’ve…
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January Lunch and Learn: Tools and tips to meet your goals
During January’s Lunch and Learn, AHCJ’s freelance members avoided discussing lofty, abstract goals and focused on practical, tactical tools that make their lives easier. Missed it? Here’s a summary of their recommendations. Virtual assistants One member took Lunch and Learn attendees behind her screen to show how she uses a virtual (human) assistant to handle…
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December Lunch and Learn: Jumpstart your freelance business in 2025
In the first months and even years of freelance writing, your business model may look more like throwing spaghetti at the wall than executing a fine-tuned plan. Especially if you’ve come into freelance writing unexpectedly, like after a layoff, you may take what you can get. But if you don’t take time to re-evaluate what…
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November Lunch and Learn: Do you need an accountability partner?
Do you keep procrastinating on sending your pitch or struggling to stick to short- or long-term writing goals? Maybe you meet your deadlines but can’t seem to find time to market your services or get some much-needed fresh air during the week. Like many freelancers, you may benefit from an accountability partner, or someone to help…
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October Lunch and Learn: Building a niche beat as a freelance journalist
Does it pay to find a beat, and specialize as a freelance writer? Our October Lunch and Learn focused on building a niche beat as a freelance health care journalist. The group heard from guest speakers Liz Seegert and Tara Haelle. Seegert has been covering aging since about 2010. She had just finished a graduate…
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Lunch and Learns are back after summer hiatus
AHCJ’s monthly Lunch and Learn networking will return in September. During these informal hour-long sessions — which occur every third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. ET on Zoom — freelance members catch up and chat about a designated topic. The Zoom link is always the same. Lunch and Learns are not recorded so…
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