Archive for the Category ◊ Ask Mridu ◊

01 Sep 2011 The Language of Freelancing
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Was language ever an issue for you? I’m assuming that English is practically your mother tongue, writing and speaking, as for many educated Indians? This is not really the case with most Europeans. Although our English is generally very good, I think most European journalists write in their native language, not wanting the non-native disadvantage. Do you know any European non-native writers in English?
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In my experience– and I’ve made this my philosophy– smart freelancers somehow always manage to make their disadvantages to work for them. I never had a problem with English, but there is a perception about India that initially in my career, worked against me, and I worked with that by proving to my editors beyond a doubt that they could trust me and expect fantastic work out of me. I turned that into an advantage by making sure that they saw that in a sea of average or simply bad writers, I could shine.

I do know writers in Europe who have English as their second language and some of them use this to their advantage by offering translations. Some publications in Europe run English translations side by side and you can always ask your editor to be paid for that additional work. Or, you could team up with a freelancer who works in English, have them translate your work and split the money. I think you have two markets here: one in your own language and one in English. Why not use both to your advantage by selling in both media? As long as you’re competent in grammar and spelling, I don’t think any English-language publication editor is going to hold it against you that English isn’t your first language and if you can add top-notch reporting to that, there’s no reason why language need be an issue at all. In fact, since most publications in America will buy only English-language rights, you’ve got a goldmine of material to work with.

Good luck!

31 Aug 2011 American Vs. British pubs
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I’m noticing that you write mainly for US publications and no British ones? Was this a conscious choice? What would you say are the main differences between American and British journalism? – and is it possible to do both?

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Here’s the thing: I have approximately four or five British clients. Not as many as my US clients (which is my biggest client base) but more than my Indian clients. Surprised? Let me explain. Most of my highest profile clients (NYT, Time, Elle, etc) are mostly American or Indian. I don’t have any high-profile British clients and the assignments I do for them aren’t of the set-your-world-on-fire sort either, which means they don’t often make it to my website (though I did write a cover story for a British magazine on the Commonwealth Games last year that I forgot to include). My main British clients are trades, and they’re fantastic to work with. So that answers your first question. Not only do I work regularly with British publications, but I highly recommend it. Which brings me to your next question.

I think there are numerous differences between American and British journalism and that conversation is fascinating, but for the purpose of this entry, I’ll focus on what makes pitching and selling to the two countries different as a freelancer. (And yes, you should absolutely try to work in both markets. Why not?) Here, in my opinion, is what British publications have going for them:

1. British publications are a lot more laidback in terms of rights, contracts, etc, and I love, love, love, that I don’t have to master fifteen pages of legalese for a 450-word assignment.

2. It may simply be my experience, but editors are British magazines are much easier to please than their American counterparts, know exactly what they want (no editing by committee), pay as soon as you’ve handed in your work, and don’t constantly want back and forth on stories.

3. Calling an editor is not taboo when it comes to European publications in general (or Asian ones). Many editors even prefer it that way.

4. Responses to queries are quick and helpful. I’ve never had an English editor keep me waiting weeks for a response to a pitch.

5. There’s more money to be made. Not only do most British publications have a higher per word rate, the lack of to-and-fro on already completed pieces and no lengthy negotiations on rights and kill fees and all that encompasses American contracts means that you’ll be making more per hour as well.

BUT, before you think British publications are the be-all-end-all, here’s what the American ones have going for them:

1. Very high standards. Most American editors, whether at consumer publications or at trades, have high standards for work and especially very high ethical standards. I think American editors, for the most part, take pride in their work and expect the best from you. I really like that.

2. Because the American industry is so standardized and formal (as compared to the rest of the world), it’s really easy to figure out. There is almost never any confusion about who to pitch, what a query looks like, and what section of a magazine/newspaper is open to freelancers. Plus, American freelancers are possibly the best at networking and sharing information.

3. American readers (and therefore, American magazines and newspapers) are much more open to social and human rights issues than the British media. Not only is it a bigger market, but there’s almost a much larger sense of “we need to hear about what’s going on in the world” in American media, even if it is Americanized to a large extent.

4. Finally, I think the American market is possibly (and in my opinion), the easiest market around the world to break into as a freelancer because publications do respect their writers and understand their importance. “Writer’s guidelines,” seems to me a very  American concept and rarely have I heard the term used outside of the country. Most editors in the US do understand that freelancers work very hard and they do respect that.

So that’s my analysis on the two markets, and as I said, you should definitely try to hit both (and more). While there are substantial differences in the way news is carried in the US and the UK, there’s no reason why you can’t understand and work in both markets. I know several freelancers who do.

30 Aug 2011 Personal, Meet Professional
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You announced your pregnancy pretty openly and I was wondering what kind of response you got from your editors? Do you think you may be getting fewer assignments as a result of this or that editors might find that you’re less dependable if you’ve been keeping sick? My husband and I are planning a family and I’m wondering how (or if) it’s going to have any impact on my freelancing career. Would you mind sharing your experience? Have you ever worried about this?
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Not until now! I’m just kidding.

I did think about the professional ramnifications of announcing my pregnancy for, oh, about three seconds,  and knew pretty much straight away that if an editor was going to stop giving me work because I’m pregnant, then I might as well just say farewell to that editor right now, because at some point, I’m going to go on maternity leave, have a sick child, want to take a break, whatever, and if an editor doesn’t understand that reality, then it’s not going to be a fruitful relationship. And truth be told, I wasn’t expecting to have a difficult pregnancy (who is?). I expected to continue working at full capacity until the baby popped out and then between feedings. (Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.) And while I do have somewhat realistic expectations now, I also do know that my work means a lot to me so I’m one of those people who usually finds a way to make it work. And I have been putting in almost as many hours as pre-pregnancy, even if I’ve been pretty unwell five days out of seven. Working makes me feel better.

My experience with editors has been that not one, not a single one, has had any problems giving me work and most (especially the ones who have children of their own) don’t think it’s a big deal at all. My editors don’t think I’m less dependable because I haven’t been less dependable. When I’m unwell, I lay low, but no one really sees that, so while most of my editors know that I’m expecting, most of them aren’t privy to details and hence don’t know how I’m feeling on a given day. And really, why would they care? As long as I’m doing the work I’m supposed to be doing, sending in ideas, being communicative, they don’t have any reason to see my situation as any different.

I think pregnancy will have the same effect on your career that any other major life change will and it’s totally dependent on you. If you need to cut back on how much work you can do, then sure, editors will take that cue from you, but if you don’t, then I don’t think anyone will even notice. If anything, I’ve had some wonderful interactions with some of my editors, one of whom actually expressed shock that I’d be willing to take on as much work as I’d asked for (four pieces a month) and then dumped it on me very happily when I said that I was up for it. You might not be, and you know, I honestly don’t think anyone’s going to judge you for it.

I haven’t yet considered how I’m going to handle maternity leave, which is of course, a bigger consideration because I may choose not to work for the first couple of months or I may decide that I’ll simply scale back. I’m pretty honest (and friendly) with my editors, though, so I’m be fairly straightforward and let them know in time whatever it is that I choose to do. A lot of women I know worry about how they’re going to get back into freelancing (or work in general) after a baby, and the more I’ve thought about it, the less worried I am. Most people, editors included, totally understand that you have a life outside of work and are wonderfully flexible when it comes down to it. As with all things freelancing, in the end it all comes down to relationships. I’ve always been straightforward and honest with my editors and for the most part, that’s exactly what I get back.

Good luck in however you choose to handle your personal situation!

26 Jul 2011 Just Say NO!
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You said on your blog in response to another question that you’re quite happy saying “no.” That seems to be my biggest problem when it comes to turning down work. I just can’t do it! Any advice on when to say no and how to?

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You know the guy at the dinner table who piles up his plate with food because he was poor as a child and didn’t have enough so now that he does, he feels he must take as much as he can because who knows when there may not be food again?

I used to be the hoarder at the freelancing table.

I suspect many of us are. We’ve struggled so hard to get to the point where editors are coming to us with assignments that to refuse them seems a bit ungrateful, doesn’t it? But my time, like yours, is limited and I’ve usually already got loads to do including writing at least eight to ten articles each month and working on a novel and at some point, I have to say, enough, I can’t do more without dropping the ball on one project or another. I want to do the best on the things I DO take up, so I don’t want to take up so much work that I have to do a half-assed job on things. This means I have to pick and choose my projects and look, ultimately, this is a business so I have to do what’s best for me in terms of enjoyment and money. Here are a few things that have worked for me, see which ones might also be applicable to you.

1. I don’t take on PR or corporate work. Many freelancers I know do and that’s great for them. I don’t for two reasons. One, that I completely hate PR and corporate work and can’t imagine myself doing it at all. I think I’d be absolutely terrible at it, while at the same time making myself miserable. The second, and more important, reason is that I’ve known from pretty early on that my ideal clients would be publications like Time and the New York Times and so I had to avoid all conflicts of interest now and in the future. Such publications typically have very strict policies regarding taking free press trips, for instance, ANY TIME in your career. And while you may argue one way or another about whether it’s fair or not, that’s just the way it is. I’ve never in my career accepted a press trip, a gift or free meal. I don’t participate in rallies or protests. And because I actually now work for news pubs, I think PR and corporate work, could potentially become conflict-of-interest areas. So any time I get offers for these, they’re automatically rejected.

2. I price myself out. I routinely get requests for utterly boring or mind-numbing work that I possibly wouldn’t even want to take on even if I were jobless for the month. But work is work is work. So if I’m having one of those times when I’m swamped and someone’s sent me a boring assignment, I consider what I’d like to be paid to make it worth slogging through. I give them that number and if they agree, well, then I’m typically making two or three times what I’d usually make for interesting work and I guess it’s worth it, at least financially.

3. I use the Calendar application on my Mac and usually fill in deadlines as they come. If I really would like to work with a client but simply can’t fit it into my schedule, I apologize and let them know that while I’m currently busy, I’d love to be considered for future work. It’s not a no, but I’m being honest with them by letting them know that I don’t want to submit low-quality work by taking on too much.

4. Sometimes, if the pay is great, the topic is great and I really really want to take on the assignment, I’ll say yes. Because I’m still a sucker like that.

Let me just add in the end that it’s absolutely essential that you know how much you have on your freelancing plate at a given point in time and how much room you have to take on more. Also consider, if you do take on more, are you going to end up doing a shabby job on the things you’re already working on or driving yourself crazy with the extra workload?

I always think in terms of pros and cons. What are the pros and cons of taking on each assignment? More money, but at what cost? More work, but what in my work or personal life will I have to sacrifice for it? Then, once you’ve done that quick calculation in your head, the answer becomes easy and there’s no guilt attached.

Say no often. I swear, it’s made my life so much simpler.

25 Jul 2011 The American Journo in India
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I am an American journalism student and will soon be traveling to New Delhi to report on social issues facing India. We will be traveling to India as a group and publishing articles and video on our website and blogs. I’m contacting you in search of any advice you may be willing to impart on a fledgling journalist like myself. I’m extremely excited to experience India and learn more about the issues facing the country.

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Oh boy, where do I start and how honest do I dare be? Okay well, here’s the deal– I think too many journalists come to India (or other developing countries) with very little idea of what they’re in for. Since you’re already reaching out to people here, I’m sure that’s not the case with you! However, there are a few things that you can do to be better prepared for when you land (and are accosted at the airport).

1. Lower your expectations. India is nothing like America, and I know you think you know that, but I’ve met too many people who despite being well-prepared are still shocked. It’s okay, you’ll get over it within a week or so, but the less you compare the country with “back home” the easier you’re going to find the adjustment period.

2. Don’t try to define India. It’s poor and it’s rich. It’s friendly and it’s hateful. It’s hostile and it’s welcoming. All at once. What you heard about India being the land of contradictions? It’s true. There will be many things that you don’t understand and many things that will be novelties to you. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to file that piece. Write your observations, take in what’s new to you, but don’t assume that just because there’s something you haven’t experienced before, your audience hasn’t either. Western journalists have been reporting about this country for decades, after all. They’ve covered the gamut of stories, trust me.

3. Have you started reading the local newspapers yet? Start now. They’re all online. Instead of relying on the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal for your India news, read English newspapers in India. That will give you an idea of what really matters to the people of this country and what the current hot-button issues are. And as much as I love them, don’t form your impressions about the country exclusively from books like the White Tiger or movies like Slumdog Millionaire. They’re fiction, after all, and a very tiny slice of life from a very large country. It would be like me forming my entire impression of America by reading a Jennifer Weiner novel. (Did you cringe? That’s how I feel when someone forms their opinion on India based on one movie or novel.)

4. Understand, not judge. Things work differently here and people have to work around those limitations. It’s very easy for foreign journalists, or indeed for elite Indian journalists, to sit back and judge (and they often do), but you can only do if you understand the issues in question and the culture in which they exist. All this takes time. As I said before, don’t be in a hurry to file that story. Understand the culture and the problems first.

5. Which brings me to: There must be layers to your reporting. Once you’ve started understanding the logistics of how things work in India (or any country, really), that’s when you start looking at issues from different angles. And if you want to report in India, you must look at issues from various different angles. I like to remind myself of what Shashi Tharoor once wrote of there not being a single person in India who doesn’t belong to some sort of minority. Think about that. Report accordingly.

6. Show up. This is not a country where you set e-mail and phone appointments and always expect them to be kept. If you want to get a story, you must show up, you must learn to be assertive, you must learn to hound. You think getting hold of an American politician is difficult? Try getting hold of a head of Panchayat.

7. Finally, ask yourself this: Are you a tourist or are you a journalist? Because these are two very different things with two very different responsibilities. If you want to be a journalist reporting in India, then you must understand what you’re talking about. You must familiarize yourself with the history, the political structure, and the issues important to the people of the country. There are too many helicopter journalists reporting on things they have absolutely no understanding of. Don’t become one of them.

20 Jul 2011 When You’re Just Starting Out
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I’ve been following your blog quite regularly of late. It’s great for those want to know what the life of a freelancer is like. I’d like to know how you start pitching to magazines and publications to begin with. I’m interested in becoming a freelancer and have written articles for work and through college but I am not published anywhere. Yet. Write and then pitch to the right people. Or contact the right people and then write for them. (Less likely). The issue is also that I don’t have a voice, or a beat; like women’s issues, health, culture etc. I’m interested in lots of things and would be happy to write about most of them.

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I’ll tackle your last question first, the lack of a beat, and the good news is that when you’re starting out, I recommend that you don’t pigeonhole yourself into a beat. Try everything! Write on different topics and subjects, see how your voice grows, determine where you’re most comfortable, what feels like the most natural fit. You can’t know before you’ve tried various avenues for your work what you’re going to enjoy the most, so if there isn’t an obvious choice for you, do a bit of everything and see where you land.

Now then, that out of the way, let me just say, please please please never write an article first and then try to sell it. That’s not only counter-productive, it makes you look like an amateur. Editors want to be involved in the shape and direction of a piece and if you’ve already written something, even if they like the subject, they may refuse to buy it simply because they don’t like the way you’ve written or approached it.

The way to do it is this: you think of an idea, you write a query letter, you find the RIGHT editor at a publication to send it to, you get an acceptance with directions from your editor on how to approach your piece, and THEN you research and write it.

That’s a lot to take in, I know. The good news is that if you go through the archives of this blog, I’ve explained extensively how to do all those things.

To get started, check out these three e-courses that I’ve written that will show you in detail how to achieve this: the first is the Query Letters that Sell e-course in which you’ll learn how to find and study markets and pitch them, in A Month of Marketing, you’ll find a bunch of tips on marketing yourself, and Freelancing Fact or Fiction? is pretty self explanatory.

Good luck!

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