How to Land Journalism Jobs

You’re sipping lukewarm coffee, refreshing Twitter, and there it is: another newsroom layoff. Your stomach drops. Sound familiar? You’re not imagining things…but you’re also not out of options.

The journalism job market is rough. Staff positions — once a badge of security and prestige — have become unstable, underpaid, and increasingly rare. Buyouts. Mergers. Mass layoffs. It’s like musical chairs, except someone stole all the seats.

Here’s the reality check: journalism isn’t disappearing. It’s transforming. And freelance journalists are the ones steering the ship.

Some of the highest paid journalists out there are not employed full-time. They’re pitching stories they actually care about. Publishing essays in legacy media. Running profitable Substacks. Landing book deals. Writing investigative pieces that go viral, and then choosing what they work on next.

If you’re still searching “journalism jobs” and hoping for a newsroom that won’t ghost you in three months, it might be time to consider another path — like using ✍️ Make Writing Your Job to pitch better jobs on your own terms.

Let’s talk about how to build a sustainable freelance journalism career — and why it might just be the smartest move you make.

So… Are There Still Journalism Jobs Out There?

Yes, they just don’t always look the way they used to.

Brands need editorial storytelling, niche publications are launching every week, and reader-supported platforms like Substack or Beehiiv are shifting the balance of power back to writers. Instead of climbing one precarious masthead, you can move fluidly between outlets.

One month you’re writing a longform investigation for a national magazine, the next you’re publishing an op-ed in a major publication, and all the while you’re growing your paid newsletter audience on the side. You can experiment, diversify, and shape your own portfolio instead of waiting for an editor-in-chief to decide your fate.

And here’s where it gets exciting: the freelance path doesn’t just sustain journalism. It funds your bigger and most ambitious projects.

Many of the highest-paid journalists I know are freelancing across outlets and using that income to write books, produce documentaries, or build paid newsletters with thousands of subscribers. They’re recognized not just for their bylines, but for their voice — and audiences follow them wherever they publish.

That is what employment in journalism looks like now: not a single job title at a single newsroom, but a sustainable, modern career you design around your own reporting, your own creative projects, and your own terms.

Freelance Journalist Jobs Are Thriving — Here’s Why

Freelance journalism isn’t a backup plan. It’s a power move, and here’s what it offers:

• Flexibility. You get to choose who you pitch, what you write, and when you work.

• Higher pay per piece. Rates for investigative and reported stories can be lucrative, especially if you know how to pitch well.

• Creative freedom. Freelancers can write across topics, verticals, and outlets. You're not stuck covering city council meetings if that’s not your jam.

• Diversified income. Freelance journalists are also writing books, teaching, consulting, and running paid newsletters. You’re not reliant on one paycheck.

TL;DR: You’re not tied to a desk or a single editor. You’re in control, and you can make journalism work for you.

How to Land Freelance Journalism Jobs (Even Without an Editor Referral)

If you’re ready to make the leap, here’s how to start building your freelance journalism career:

1. Polish Your Portfolio (You Already Have the Clips)

Your existing bylines are assets, even if they’re from a student paper or a local alt-weekly. Curate 5–10 strong pieces, organize them in a clean PDF or simple site (no need to over-design), and tailor your selections based on what you’re pitching.

If you need a refresh, these 6 ways to get hired more as a freelance writer will help you reposition yourself for the freelance market.

2. Learn to Cold Pitch Like a Pro

Pitching is a skill and a muscle. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Strong freelance journalists can land stories without an “in” by sending targeted, thoughtful pitches.

Start by:

• Reading contributor guidelines (they’re hidden in plain sight)

• Personalizing your email to the editor

• Leading with a story, not a topic

• Linking to relevant clips

Also: follow editors on Twitter (fine, X), subscribe to calls for pitches, and use ✍️ Make Writing Your Job for our daily freelance pitch list from top publications. It’s updated 5x/week and curated for writers like you.

3. Embrace the Newsletter Renaissance

Substack, Beehiiv, Ghost — if you’ve got a perspective and a voice, you’ve got an audience waiting. Journalists like Anne Helen Petersen and Charlie Warzel have built thriving newsletters that offer income, freedom, and community.

You don’t need a massive subscriber list to make this work. Start small. Publish regularly. Offer something valuable. Then use your newsletter to:

• Build a reader base

• Test new ideas

• Attract editors (they’re reading!)

• Launch paid products or services

Newsletters are the modern journalist’s playground and profit center.

4. Master the Interview (From the Other Side of the Table)

When you do get offered freelance assignments, editors often want to jump on a quick call first. Nail it with these 5 freelance interview tips and treat it like a two-way street.

Ask about rates, timelines, editorial preferences, and payment process. You’re not just being evaluated, you’re evaluating whether this job works for you.

Journalism Jobs That Pay? Take the Lead with the Best Job Board

Let’s stop treating freelance journalism like a plan B. It’s a career path with leverage. With freedom. With real income and infinite potential.

You can still do the work that matters: investigations, longform features, profiles that punch. You just get to do it your way.

And if you're ready to start?

👉 Subscribe to ✍️ Make Writing Your Job, the top Substack for freelance writers. Paid members get:

• 📋 Writing Job Board — curated 5x/week with remote writing jobs that actually pay, including ghostwriting, book editing, and thought leadership roles

• 💬 Subscriber Chat — daily job drops and advice from me + our growing community of six-figure writers

• 🧠 ClassStack — live classes on building your portfolio, landing clients, pitching like a pro, and scaling your writing income

• 💼 GuestStack — freelance writing jobs + interviews with writers who’ve used our board to land $50K+ projects

• ✨ Founding Member Access — 24 hour early access to featured jobs, small group classes

🧾 $15/month or $135/year — less than a coffee a week for more clients, more confidence, and way better career outcomes

Journalism is changing. You don’t have to wait for permission. Build your own seat at the table, and make it impossible to ignore.