Freelance writer: Networking is key to success

Aspiring journalists must learn to network and make contacts if they are to be successful, freelance journalist Amy Green told students on Monday at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla.
Green, a former reporter for the Associated Press, spoke to students as part of Communication Week, an event that brings together students and professionals from journalism, public relations, film production and other fields.
Green, who is based in Orlando, also said writers should avoid working for cut rates or for free unless they thought doing so would help them build their portfolios or obtain work.
She said freelance writing is difficult nowadays because so many publications have cut their freelance budgets. She encouraged prospective freelancers to create a business plan mapping out how they propose to make a living. And she stressed the value of networking.