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I'm getting tired of this discourse about getting paid as a new writer, and the idea that at the start of the career you shouldn't write for someone who can't pay you. So here is a list of reasons why that's rubbish and you shouldn't worry about writing for free if you want to:
And when I say writing for free, I mean writing for a small, independent publication that are not making much/any money either. I don't mean writing for a big publication that can and should be paying all staff.
1. When you're new, pitching to big publications is scary, offputting, and it's extremely exhausting to get constant rejections (or more likely, getting ignored) early in your career with no feedback. Especially if you're also juggling a day job.
So 2. writing for smaller publications increases your chance of getting an acceptance, which boosts your confidence and gives you experience with actually doing the work.
3. It increases your platform to people who may not follow you, which as much as it sucks, in this industry does help quite a lot.
4. It means you're working with your peers, and I cannot stress enough how important this. Getting to know the people also working at your level gives you a network of support, opportunities, and friends!! They are not your competition, there is room for all of you!!
Work together and build those connections!! Work on projects together, promote each other, write for each other's publications. I've met so many amazing people from doing this and from that, have come opportunities and having people to get support and advice from.
5. Smaller publications are often the ones doing the work to uplift marginalised voices, making them a safer more supportive enviroment for a lot of people.
6. Lastly, it means you can build up a portfolio of work that's not just whatever you've wanted on your blog, but has actually been selected and edited by someone else so you know it's the best it could be. (also nothing wrong with having a blog obviously, all practice is good!)
So if you're new at this just write for whoever you want. Get experience, build your portfolio, get to know other people doing the same thing as you.
Definitely pitch to bigger, paying publications if you want to, but can we stop pretending that there aren't benefits to working with smaller ones for writers just starting out.
