As layoffs and budget cuts continue to beset the media industry, many journalists are turning to freelance work.
Professional organizations like the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), the National Press Club, and the Society of Professional Journalists can help ease the transition from staffer to freelancer by providing community support, resources, and networking opportunities. For example, ASJA — a national group of freelancers — recently opened membership eligibility for laid-off journalists interested in freelancing.
The Institute reached out to Richard Eisenberg, a freelance writer, editor, and board member at ASJA, for advice on how journalists can stand out in a competitive market and make the most out of a professional membership.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What are the biggest trends you are seeing for freelance journalism, and what can journalists do right now to set themselves apart?
Eisenberg: I’m seeing three big trends for the freelance journalism market going into 2026:
- As media outlets and content marketers sadly lay off staffers, opportunities are opening up for freelancers to write articles and provide content for them.
- But, many publishers are facing squeezed budgets, which means they may be assigning freelancers less or paying them less than in the past. And some have lost their freelance budgets entirely.
- Therefore, freelancers need to be even more persistent and aggressive than in years past to find work and editors or marketers who can use them.
Freelance journalists can set themselves apart by developing and bolstering their expertise in particular areas or specialties (for beat reporters, this may be second nature). They can also develop a stronger public presence through social media posts demonstrating their knowledge and linking to their pieces, as well as by attending journalism conferences and events.
For recently laid off journalists who are considering freelancing for the first time, what’s your advice for running your own business? And how can organizations like ASJA help?
Eisenberg: Michelle Rafter, ASJA Publications chair recently published the e-book, “Building an Independent Writing Business,” which is filled with advice on thriving as a self-employed journalist, content writer, or nonfiction author.
Here are five takeaways to get started:
- Have a business and marketing plan. This will let you map out your goals, along with strategies to reach them.
- Find clients to build your brand by connecting with existing and former contacts; doing cold outreach to prospects; attending conferences, association gatherings, business meetings, or other meetups (in person or virtually) to introduce yourself to prospective editors or clients; and attending writer-specific opportunities.
- Create an online presence to let editors and other prospective clients find you and to showcase your work. This could be a LinkedIn profile, a standalone website, a content platform offering free portfolio space, or your profile in a directory (like this directory for ASJA members).
- Devise a target hourly rate that would let you meet your income goals. Then, try to negotiate for more. ASJA’s Paycheck Database lets members see how much particular outlets and organizations pay and help them steer clear of ones that could be problematic.
- Be sure to get a contract for any assignment. It’s a written guarantee about how much and when you’ll get paid as well as the scope of work you agreed to deliver. The contract will also stipulate the rights you may retain to a work, allowing you to resell the piece or earn income from projects it spawns.
Professional organizations like ASJA can help new freelancers because they provide members with content, training, and other resources that go in depth on building and growing a freelance business. They also offer opportunities for support and advice from fellow members as well as conferences and webinars with timely information for newbies.
What are some of the biggest challenges you hear from your members about making the transition from newsroom journalist to freelancer, and how can journalists overcome these barriers?
Eisenberg: One of the biggest challenges is getting the first few assignments to begin the journey. Often, these journalists either have never had to pitch ideas to someone who wasn’t their editor or boss, or haven’t had to do so in many years. They may not know what editors and content marketers look for in pitches or even where to send their ideas. The best way to overcome this barrier is to research a potential client’s contributor guidelines and familiarize yourself with work it has published recently.
Another challenge is understanding what’s necessary to do financially as a freelancer – such as paying quarterly estimated income taxes, sending invoices, and maintaining records of business expenses that will be reimbursed by the client or claimed as tax write-offs. The websites of the Internal Revenue Service and state tax departments explain who must file estimated taxes and how to do it. Sites like QuickBooks, Indeed, Adobe, and PayPal offer invoicing guidance and tools.
How can freelancers advocate for themselves to make sure they are getting the most competitive rate in an industry with shrinking budgets and increasing competition?
Eisenberg: Freelancers can advocate for themselves by politely insisting on getting paid a fair rate based on the outlet or organization’s standard fees and what the freelancer has been paid for similar work. It rarely hurts to see if there’s wiggle room in the amount that has been offered, especially if the editor or marketer is looking for a quick turnaround or you bring exceptional expertise.
What are some of your go-to resources for freelancers to get ahead?
Eisenberg: The ASJA site has a Resources Finder as well as many helpful articles that anyone can read and webinars that anyone can watch (most are available to non-members for a nominal fee), as well as features and tools exclusively for members.
One article showed how content writers can make the most out of 2026 B2B (business-to-business) content marketing trends. A webinar in October showed how to determine whether to classify your freelance business as a sole proprietorship, LLC or S-Corp.
ASJA also has a private Facebook page where members can get answers to their questions about running a freelance business as well as a public-facing Facebook page and LinkedIn page.
The IRS site has information about sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs.
Additional info: ASJA’s virtual conference will take place in April 2026 — for both members and non-members alike. As for other professional development events, ASJA members can also participate in Client Connections, a kind of speed dating for freelancers that lets them meet one-on-one with editors and literary agents and pitch ideas.
ASJA also recently changed its eligibility rules so former staff writers and editors from established media companies can now become professional members (dues for professional members are $179 per year.)