nixer style content and press releases... ideas?

flogen

Hey,

I'm starting to think about doing content for websites and press releases as odd-jobs to keep me fed while I finish University; I'm doing Journalism so obviously language is what I'm trained in, and a press release is very similar in format to a news story, so it's a simple progression.

Does anyone think there's much need for, I suppose you could say outsourced marketting like this? What price would people be willing to pay for a press release too?
As I said, this isn't a career idea, it's something that I think might get me to May or June without having to get a loan from somewhere or someone.

Obviously, with a low cost base (zero), advertising isn't an option and besides, word of mouth is better than that. The problem is getting the ball rolling...

okellyc

Read some great advice lately about where PR is headed that might influence your thinking here: soon the only PR agencies that will be making any dough will be either huge international behemoths at one end or micro-agencies at the other end focued on ridiculously small niches. So ridiculous that they'll practically own the niche and the big agencies will come to them as required. Example, you could become the PR/ content guy of choice for, say, seafood producers in Ireland targeting international markets. Get one client and leverage that to get more. By focusing on your niche you'll know all the terms, trends, events, publications, power brokers etc. and will soon be the go-to guy for people in the industry. So, my advice is pick a really small, distinct arena that is under serviced (and preferably funded by loads of government grants) and you'll be elected..

josephd

See http://www.ezinearticles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=162

perhaps?

TabulaRasa22

Yeah niche markets are increasingly where its at these days...

dSTAR

See:

www.elance.com

and

www.freelanceworkexchange.com

[Edit] I had a quick look over http://nixers.com but it seems it has turned into a regular job listings site. Not sure what they have by way of freelance journalism work.

Coming from a journalistic background I would say that your best bet is to write as many topical articles as you can and submit them to features editors of well known newspapers and magazines.

The key is to write an article from a unique perspective that has wide appeal. Make sure you follow all the rules of submission. But more importantly follow up with the editor.

Editors are usually extremely busy and don't have time to follow up on unsolicitated submissions. Be eager without being pushy and always thank the editor for taking your call let alone reading your article!

All else failing go to the local 'watering holes' (Bowens on Fleet Street or Mulligans on Poolbeg Street for example) where journo's hang out and do a bit of elbow rubbing. Always worked for me!

jrey1981

They do not have a great readership here yet, but you might put an ad on dublin.craigslist.org and under the Dublin section of Myspace classifieds

Also take a look at freelanceireland.ie

I am a journalism graduate and so can sympathise with you...in my experience you need to try and specialise in a number of subjects so that you can present a unique viewpoint which can bring in readers to a publication or website.

You need some online articles or published pieces to showcase your work and a blog might be a good start. It will also get you used to thinking about readers, what they might want to read, generating ideas and writing regularly.

vivakus

there's not much call for this kind of thing unless yo have the experieince and portfolio to back it up. I'd try and get some work in an agency as a junior copywriter - then think about pressrelease writing. Most PR companies and agencies think they can do all this themselves, and they generally don't outsource unless absolutley necessary. There's a hell of a lot of highly experienced freelance writers out there who are CONSTANTLY vying for new business in Ireland. The best thing to do when starting out is register with freelnace ireland and have a look at creativeireland.com too.