After writing the first piece on this topic, I recalled buying a book titled Online Market for Writers: How to make money by selling your writing on the Internet by Anthony Tedesco and Paul Tedesco while returning from a trip abroad.
The book first published in 2000 before social media became the in thing, contained tips on writing for online markets and how many writers got their first paying online market.
So much have changed and there are many more opportunities for writers now since the book was published. What has however not changed like all the writers emphasized are the following things:
*The need keep writing
*Find a niche area to write on,
*Know how to pitch your write ups,
*Keep searching for fee- paying outlets online,
*Market your writing aggressively,
*Know how to negotiate for payment,
*Improve on your online presence,
*Network locally and globally
*MORE Importantly be ready to write for FREE
Even though the examples in the book are foreign, I have learnt to adapt and apply them locally. My daughter, Yemisi, a Business Administration graduate who has inspired me so much about how to be a new age journalist, calls the approach copy, paste and Nigerianize.
* Free print and soft copy of New Age ‘Journalism’: Conversation with my daughter available on request.
Beyond publishing in print, online and other platforms, content can also be lectures,booklets, books, research work and in other formats.
Here are a few examples of what has worked for me:
Write for free!
In 1998 I trekked from Falomo to the old Lekki area to attend a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Holy Ghost event and wrote about the experience which was published on a website that only rewards writers with the inclusion of their bylines and contact details in their stories.
An American Christian journalist seeking Christian journalists to attend the first International Fellowship of Christian Journalists in London contacted me based on my article.
I eventually travelled to London – all expenses paid along with some other Nigerian journalists and African colleagues I recommended in 2000.
A participant at the conference later hired me as Nigerian correspondent for News Agency and I was paid in dollars for every story that I successfully pitched and was published.
Networking
At a conference in South Africa by an organisation I had joined some years earlier and paid membership fee in Pounds, I reluctantly attended a workshop for young journalists. I could well have been a speaker at the workshop based on my experience on the job, but I went to see what I could learn.
I wrote the news story assignment for all participants and the facilitator called me aside to ask how long I have been a journalist. When I told him, he offered me a paid freelance opportunity that lasted for more than three years.
Based on my publication for the agency, a Kenyan colleague who I have remained in touch with has severally recommended me for other paid assignments whenever he is asked for a Nigerian journalist he knows.
Expertise
Over the years, I have acquired enough knowledge to back my claim of being a Media Career Development Specialist and Media Trainer.
Sometimes ago, I ran into the Corporate Affairs Manager of a major company and I didn’t miss the opportunity to tell him what I know about the new media and why media professionals should update their knowledge.
He was obviously impressed and invited me to give a lecture to his staff on what I discussed with him. I got paid in six digits. I am waiting for another lecture for which I have submitted my power-points slides and won’t be paid less than the earlier fee.
Social media marketing
Beyond being on social media platforms, I use my social media accounts to market what I know how to do and want to be invited and paid for if the opportunity arise.
I have written so much about media career development issues on Facebook, blogs and Twitter that I usually get invited to speak on one media career issue or the other and get paid sometimes.
My fast-selling and hopefully someday, best-seller book, The Journalist You Ought To Be is a compilation of my Media Career Diary series on Facebook and Blogger.com.
When you check media career in Nigeria on Google, our website mediacareerng.org or some of my other write-ups on media career will be among the first three, if not the first to show up in the results of the search.
Take Away Points
1. I BOUGHT the BOOK I referred to at the beginning of this piece during a trip. You must be willing to PAY for additional knowledge.
2. I READ the book and APPLIED the principles I learnt. It’s not enough to buy books and decorate our shelf with them, we need to READ and when necessary COPY, PASTE and NIGERIANIZE.
3. if you can write, please WRITE even for FREE sometimes as long as you can include your FULL CONTACT details as I did regarding the RCCG story. Somebody may just find it interesting and contact you.
The first publisher may not pay you, but publishing it may open other opportunities for you.
An example from the book, Online Market for Writers was about a writer who contributed a free article for a conference website, paid his way to attend the conference, but later got paid for the print edition of the article in the conference magazine and two other publications due to the free publication.
4. EXPAND your NETWORK by joining local and international organisations. Be ACTIVE in the organisations like I did in World Association for Christian Communication ( WACC) to get invited for conferences. When you attend conferences, be ready to LEARN irrespective of what you already know and SHOWCASE what you know if there is an opportunity to.
5. SUSTAIN relationships after conferences. Stay in touch with CONTACTS that can keep recommending you for opportunities. UPDATE them with information of the progress you making and what you are capable of writing if anyone needs reports about Nigeria.
6. WRITE as FREQUENTLY as you can on your expertise on social media and other platforms. Be known as a specialist on some issues. Offer your thoughts on new developments in the sector. SPEAK UP about what you know when you get a listening ear like the Corporate Affairs Manager who heard me out and invited me for a session.
7. KNOW how to use presentation tools like POWER POINTS and other new media tools with AUDIO, VIDEO and PICTURES. Modern day presentation is not a long text with only subheadings.
8. MARKET your writings on social media aggressively. Have enough articles and reports on websites and other platforms. Google your name to know what can be found about you online by anyone looking for an expert on your area of specialization.
Thanks for reading and stay in touch if you need any clarification. Check www.mediacareerng.org for more content on Media Career.
Follow me on @lotufodunrin on Twitter . Phone: 08023000621
Lekan Otufodunrin