No clippings? How to get an editor to take a chance on you

by Leo Wiles
25 July 2014

No matter whether you’re a recent media graduate, a PR wanting to switch careers, or a journalist whose career has been stalled by a lay-off or raising a family, landing a paid gig without any paid (or recent) work to show off can be tough. You can almost feel like you have a big fat sign on your forehead alerting potential editors and clients to your inexperience or lack of relevant work history. But don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas to get you back in the game – clippings or no clippings!

If you’re… a graduate or media and communications student

1. Don’t wait for your graduation to start. Start now by interning every holiday. That way, when you graduate you won’t be applying for jobs with no clippings or a track record. Work for local business, governments, NGOs. Hound news outlets such as community TV, regional radio, small production houses and or local papers. You may not be writing about your chosen field, but gaining experience in different industries makes you far more employable. And, when you do land the big fish of your dreams, you’ll have more to add to the topic than someone who hasn’t been outside the box.
2. Get to grips with professional equipment Not only will smaller operators give you a good grounding in the real time needs of producing content in the field, but you’ll also be using the kit you’d use on the job to build your show-reel or portfolio. Also being in-house enables you to network and potentially meet people who can hire you in the long run.

If you’re… returning to freelancing after a lengthy break

1. Don’t panic or be shy about showing old clippings. Even if your cuts seem out of date they still prove that you’ve been published and paid for your work.
2. In your pitch, explain the break Just briefly spell out why you’ve been out of the game for a while before following up with your ideas. By and large, editors have life experience behind them and will sympathise if not empathise with you.

If you’re… switching careers and becoming a writer

1. Use what you know and pitch to publications or corporate clients that have a need of someone who understands the niche of say; insurance, hospitality, education, marketing, finance, health, etc.
2. Chose ten newsworthy angles and perhaps flesh them out so that when you target these potential clients your experience in their field of interest is your strength and your ability to write the bonus that will get you over the line. One of the best ways to do this is by already blogging on the topic on your own website and writing a kick arse pitch that outlines your experience writing for your previous companies internal and or external communications, newsletters, magazine, social media channels, etc.

Apart from building your own online portfolio to showcase your skills it may be worth knowing that when I worked as an editor I was more interested in how articulate the pitch was and the relevancy of the writer’s ideas. There, I often commissioned writers without seeing previous examples.

And don’t forget that all freelancers started without published work. Someone, somewhere took a chance on us. So even if you receive ten ‘No thanks’ today, you only need one yes to get started.

Do you remember the first editor or client who took a chance on you? We’d love you to share in the comments!

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Leo Wiles

Leo Wiles has worked as an editor, journalist and PR for over 20 years before recently retraining as a photographer. These days, she spends her time behind a lens, juggling her own clients alongside raising her three gorgeous kids.

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