8 Tips To Help Start Your Writing Career
I’m coming up on my sixth year working with PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT as a reporter. It’s unbelievable to me that my editorial career kicked off when I was just 14 years old. Time flies, right? Since having my first article published online back in 2014, I’ve been learning every day about what it means to be a writer and what it takes to accomplish my editorial goals. Over the years, several people have asked me for advice on how they can launch their writing career.
But before I offer my two cents, I have to point out…I am by no means an expert, and I don’t have it all figured out. Though I have been working in my field for almost six years, I am only 19 years old, and my career is still just beginning. I have a long way to go to achieve my goal of becoming editor-in-chief of a beauty or fashion publication.
So ahead, I’ll be sharing my experiences as a writer thus far and a few tips to help you jumpstart your writing career.
Let’s take it back to the beginning…I knew at an early age that the one thing I enjoyed doing the most was writing. When I was in elementary and middle school, I jumped at the chance to write essays. Yes, I was THAT kid! And as I became a teen, I was always online consuming entertainment news and scrolling through fashion sites.
When I got to high school and started thinking about what I wanted to be, reflecting on my lifelong interests made it clear that I should become a journalist. I knew that I wanted to tell stories and imagined seeing my byline attached to articles online and in magazines.
But, I wasn’t sure how to get started. So when I was 14, I began to look for writing opportunities for young women, and my search led me to the application page for the PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT’s Teen Reporter Program (formerly known as the Teen Diaries Teen Reporter Program).
I applied back in 2014, and honestly, the rest is history. Joining this writing mentorship program helped me build foundational skills for my journalism career. I learned how to write for digital platforms, how to pitch story ideas, how to interview, and how to be confident in my unique abilities as a writer.
With PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, I’ve written hundreds of articles spanning fitness to beauty. Take a walk down memory lane with me by checking out one of my oldest articles and my most recent article. Cheers to growth!
Because of PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, I have also had the opportunity to interview girl bosses I admire including Angela Yee, Claire Sulmers, Shameless Maya, and Oloris Swank.
Since 2014, I’ve been consistently writing for digital platforms. In addition to contributing to PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, I’ve also written for sites like xoNecole, Her Campus, and 21Ninety. I previously served as an editorial intern for the Atlanta-based music festival, ONE Music Fest. And this summer I have been offered the incredible opportunity to work with Byrdie Beauty in NYC in their editorial department! Excited is an understatement for how I feel about my upcoming internship.
Like I mentioned earlier, my career is just getting started. I am so thankful for the experiences I’ve had thus far and can’t wait to keep hustling to achieve my goals!
One thing that I truly believe is that when you have a dream, you owe it to yourself to do everything in your power to make it happen. When it comes to creating a life that I love, I’ve adopted Diddy’s motto of “Can’t stop, won’t stop.” That’s why I am so passionate about gaining as much experience as possible and encourage those around me to do the same.
If you’re ready to launch your career as a writer, here are a few tips that I think will help you become a better writer and build up your experience!
Create your own platform.
If the opportunity isn’t there, create it! If you’re interested in becoming a music writer, launch a music blog and write album reviews and cover concerts in your area. If you’re interested in working in fashion journalism, create an online magazine where you highlight this season’s runway trends and rising designers. Having your own platform will give you the freedom to publish the content you want to see. Additionally, creating a blog, online portfolio, or digital publication is something that will set you apart from other candidates when you’re applying for internships or jobs.
Produce different types of writing.
While my passion is covering entertainment, fashion, and beauty, I’ve written about everything from women’s sports to entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned vet, I think it’s always going to be essential to flex those writing muscles as much as possible so challenge yourself to cover different niches. Your ability to write about anything is important as a writer, and it doesn’t hurt to have clips across different categories.
Get involved with campus media or local publications.
If you’re in college, you don’t have to go far for writing opportunities. Sign up to be a part of your school’s newspaper, literary magazine, or media clubs to start gaining experience. I joined my school’s Her Campus chapter when I got to college, and it provided an opportunity to produce content for a female audience, which is right up my ally. Another way to gain experience in your city is to work with local magazines and newspapers. Visit their website to see if they are looking for freelance writers or interns!
Submit stories to publications that accept guest posts.
In addition to PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, I’ve built up my portfolio by publishing articles on sites that allow readers to submit guest posts. I have previously submitted articles to 21Ninety and XoNecole. Get familiar with their sites, and if you have an idea that aligns with their brand, I encourage you to submit it! P.S. Blavity is another site that accepts story submissions.
Read good writing.
The only way to know how to be a good writer is to read good writing. Currently, I have 15 media outlets bookmarked on my computer (Essence, Byrdie, Teen Vogue, and Refinery29 are a few of my favorites) and I go on a few of them daily to take a look at the tone they use, how they structure their articles, etc. Research a few leading websites in your potential niche and study how their writers write.
Write consistently.
To become good at anything, you have to do it consistently. Set aside some time every day to write an intro to an article idea you had, create poetry, or jot reflections down in your journal. Taking the time to write something daily will help you find your voice as a writer and improve your writing style.
Build your network.
Journalism is an industry where networking is essential. Through my different internships and social media, I’ve connected with talented women who have helped me build my confidence and leadership skills, elevate my writing style, and connect me with different opportunities.
Finding mentors can be tricky, I know, but start within your community or campus. Meet with your English or Journalism professor during office hours to discuss your writing passions. Connect with that student on campus that you know recently completed an internship at a magazine. Networking with media professionals and classmates is incredibly valuable and can help provide you with the insight you need as you begin your writing journey!
Research media trailblazers.
Anyone who knows me that my role model in journalism is Elaine Welteroth, who was the the youngest editor and second Black Editor-in-Chief in Condé Nast history! I am incredibly inspired by what she did at Teen Vogue and the boss moves that she has made post-Teen Vogue (i.e. being a Project Runway judge and writing her own book).
I think it’s important to know the key players in the industry and familiarize yourself with their work. Having someone in the industry that you look up to allows you to see that your dreams are possible. Analyzing their career path can also help provide you with some insight as you figure out your next steps. So, browse through LinkedIn or look at the bylines on your favorite site and find that person that you identify with and that inspires you.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them below or shoot me an email at olivia@oliviahancock.com, and I will answer them in a follow-up post!