Tim Herrera
Verified
As seen in:
Medium,
The New York Times,
The New York Times en Español,
HuffPost,
The Independent (UK),
The Washington Post,
Chicago Tribune,
Cruel Summer Book Club (Podcast),
Digg,
Infobae
and
Covers:
service journalism
Gossip Girl stan account | Former NYT editor | Freelance writer/editor/coach | I help journalists navigate the industry | tim at freelancingwithtim dot com
Articles by Tim Herrera
The worst freelance job listing I've ever seen
Hello friends! Today I’ve got a little something that probably isn’t the most useful FWT newsletter I’ve ever sent; it’s more of a terribly disheartening diatribe about a post I came across in the wild that I just couldn’t get out of my head. So, uh, gooood morning! 🤪 Sept. 17 @ 4 p.m. Eastern: How to come up with better story ideas, feat. Emily Stewart of Business Insider. We’re tackling the most common problem for every writer: How do I come up with more — and better — story ideas?
Should you try to kill a 'kill fee'? Maybe ...
Hello friends! I hope your fall is off to a lovely start and you’re as excited as I am for ~spooky season~ (cue millennial cringe comment). This week we’re talk about what can be a sometimes contentious topic among freelancers: kill fees. Some folks like them, some don’t, but they’re always a factor. I’ve invited veteran freelancer Lola Mendez to make her case for trying to get them out of contracts or negotiate them up to 100%.
A guide to the essentials of freelance journalism
For all of August, new subscribers can take 25% off a yearly subscription to FWT! With a paid sub, you’ll get an additional newsletter every week, 50% off all workshops and Zoom events, access to the all previous paid posts, invitations to subscriber-only events, and more. Click here to get your discount! Hello friends, and welcome to FWT’s Intro toFreelancing Month! All month we’re getting back to basics.
Freelance rates for NYT, Wired, Washington Post, Time, Rolling Stone
Join me on July 22 for a workshop on everything that goes into writing the perfect pitch! See below for more details, and click here to register. If learning about writing longform narrative features is more your style, I’ve got you covered — on July 24 I’m hosting a workshop covering how to structure a longform feature. More details below, and click here to register.
Today,
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The scariest emails a freelancer can get
Please join me on Nov. 19 for a workshop on the art of structuring longform narrative features. See below for more details, then register here, and don’t forget to use the promo code “subscriber” to get 50% off! It’s the night of the living dread! Whoa, sorry there, didn’t mean to frighten you! But what we’re talking about today are fears every freelancer has. Being a freelancer is hard. You have to put yourself out there, be open and vulnerable, and, sadly, a lot of the time it results in nothing.
Fail more, and fail often
Please join me on Nov. 19 for a workshop on the art of structuring longform narrative features. See below for more details, then feel free to register here! In my recent workshop on pitching, an attendee asked a question that struck me. It was something along the lines of, Why bother pitching [x publication] if I already know they’re going to say no? First, setting aside the fact that there’s no way to actually know if a publication is going to reject your pitch, it kind of misses the point.
How to follow-up with an editor about payment
This assignment is simple: All you have to do is send an email. That’s it! It probably won’t even take you 15 minutes! For years, one of my main hobbyhorses around freelancing has been getting paid what you’re owed no matter what — in particular, chasing down payments you’re owed. Especially when the publication is dragging its feet, or an editor has ghosted you, or it’s just been too damn long since the story was published.
How to pitch multiple editors at the same time
Hello friends! This week we’re talking about simultaneous submissions, or pitching multiple editors the same idea at once. It’s a tricky dance — the goal is to minimize the amount of time you sit around waiting for responses, but not find yourself in the unenviable position of accidentally having sold the same idea to multiple outlets. To shed … Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Freelancing With Tim to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
The exact text of a pitch I sold to The Atlantic
Hi friends! Let’s keep it nice and simple today: Here is the exact pitch I sent to The Atlantic, which resulted in a commission. I sold it a while back for $400 (after negotiating up from $350, always negotiate!). A few quick things to note: • My absolute floor for journalistic freelance writing is $1/word … except when it… Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Freelancing With Tim to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
Stop working with editors you don't like working with
What is service journalism and how do I do it right? Join me and all-star service journalism reporter Allie Volpe of Vox on August 22 at 4 p.m. Eastern for a Zoom workshop on finding, reporting, writing, and pitching perfect service stories. Click here to register, and use the promo code “subscriber” for 50% off! Greeting… Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Freelancing With Tim to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
How this freelancer made $27,000 in 1 month
Want to learn how to launch and grow a newsletter? Join me and all-star newsletter writers Lyz Lenz and Parker Molloy tomorrow at 4 p.m. Eastern for a Zoom workshop on how to build a successful newsletter, from launching and finding an audience to growing, monetizing, and maintaining it. Register to join here! If there’s one thing I love to celebrate, it’s freelancers getting PAID — and goodness do we have someone to celebrate today.
How much pre-reporting should I do for a pitch?
Want to learn how to launch and grow a newsletter? Join me August 7 at 4 p.m. Eastern for a deep dive Zoom workshop on how to build a successful newsletter, from launching and finding an audience to growing, monetizing, and maintaining it. Register to join here, and use the promo code “subscriber” for 50% off! Earlier thi…
Should I ever write freelance stories on spec?
Want to learn the art of structuring a longform narrative feature? Join me tomorrow for a deep dive Zoom workshop on the ins-and-outs of how to sustain a 3,000+ word feature, organize your reporting, when to use certain techniques, and much more. Register to join here! Hello friends! Welcome to the first in a series of Q&A newsletters, in which I’ll pick out a few reader-submitted questions and offer my take. We’ve got a couple of heady topics today, so let’s dive right in.
What's on your 'Shit List'?
A few years ago when I was at The New York Times, I was a guest on a panel for young reporters about finding, generating, and developing story ideas.
Registration open for August workshops!
Hello friends! Hope you’re, uh, surviving in this unbearable heat. Summer fun! Let’s get right to it: I’ve got some excellent workshops coming up in August, including some of my favorites: On the schedule are sessions for launching a newsletter, writing better service journalism, improving your pitches, writing a great personal essay, and a deep dive into how to build a longform narrative feature.
Cruel Compendium #78 🤞🏼
Listen now to Tarot 101: Finding Yourself in the Cards on the Cruel Summer Book Club podcast. Tarot is for everyone! Yes, even those of you who are anti-woo woo. For me, Tarot is a practice to tap into your intuition and know yourself better. The magic isn’t in the cards — the magic is in you.
How to get a staff journalism job from freelance
Hello friends! Today we’re talking about something that, for many freelancers, is often top-of-mind: moving from a career as a freelancer to a full-time staff position. Now, certainly, taking on a staff job isn’t the only path for a freelancer, and it is far from being the “right” path.
How this 6-figure freelancer cracked the code to happiness
Hello friends, welcome to Freelancing With Tim! If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops and panels, a guide on how and when to follow up with editors, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and more. Coming up on Thursday: The only pitch structure you’ll (mostly) ever need.
Registration open for March workshops!
Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help journalists navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, advice on when and how to follow up with editors, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and more.
Your 15-minute assignment for today
Just three days left to take advantage of FWT’s February Flash Sale! Through the end of the day Thursday, take 25% off a yearly paid subscription to FWT! Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom panels, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and more.
When - and how - to follow up with an editor
It’s simple: 3 to 5, 3 to 5 + deadline. Okay, maybe not that simple. Well, hmm, actually it’s a lot more complicated and nuanced than that. And it always depends. But hey, it’s a good starting point …? In all seriousness, following up with an editor after a cold pitch is hard. It can feel intimidating, awkward, overstepping… Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Freelancing With Tim to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
Some Announcements and Changes
Hello folks, happy Friday and I hope everybody has had great weeks so far! Today I have a few announcements regarding some important changes to the newsletter, so I’ll get right to it. But before we do, I want to highlight that the deadline for New Internationalist’s editorial assistant opening ends tonight. The job is open to remote working, and pays £25,000 per year. Every Friday for the past 16 months, we’ve brought you the latest journalism fellowships, webinars, events, workshops and awards.
✍️ Journalism Fellowships, Events, Trainings and Awards ✍️ - February 9
Hello folks and happy Friday. We have a rare rainy day here in Spain, so it’s very much a duvet day with a steady supply of tea and biscuits. I’m also listening to a surprise new album by Usher — remember him? — so things here are additionally chilled. Cheers Spotify. Mood aside, we also have a slew of new premium postings in the newsletter today of which you can find below. They include new openings at New Internationalist, ConsumerAffairs and the Vineyard Gazette.
Registration open for Feb. workshops + Flash Sale!
Hello friends! I hope your 2024 is off to a lovely start and you’re not getting too down with the ~winter gloomies~ (let’s just hope that little goober groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is right about an early spring).
What is SEO, anyway?
FLASH SALE! For the next week, take 25% off a yearly paid subscription to FWT! Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more. Click here to claim the discount! Hi! Today we’re talking about SEO. Do you need to know it? Should you learn it? Also uhhh what even is it?
2 traits to help you stand out to editors
“How do I separate myself from every other freelancer?” It’s a question I get in nearly every workshop I run, regardless of topic or focus. And it’s a good question! There are a ton of us out here (and there’s about to be a whole lot more, oof; subject for another time), and competition is stiff. We need every edge we can … Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Freelancing With Tim to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
7 common freelance mistakes to avoid in 2024
Hello friends! Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help you navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and more.
Should you be a generalist or a specialist?
Common advice I give about writing is to give away the goods right out of the gate, so let’s just get to it: It mostly doesn’t matter where you fall on the generalist vs. specialist spectrum. Truly! As an editor, I’m generally more interested in your skills and abilities as a journalist than anything else. I believe an e…
Okay team: What are our 2024 goals?
Hello friends! Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help you navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
Rae Witte thinks you should stop beating yourself up
Hello friends! Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help you navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
LinkedIn is the best place you're not hanging out at
Hello friends! Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help you navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
What is a nut graf, anyway?
Hello friends! Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter designed to help you navigate and thrive in the industry. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. Paid subs get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
How to stop pitching ideas and start pitching stories
Hello friends! To celebrate the relaunch of FWT, I’m extending my offer of a 25% discount for a yearlong subscription by another week. Paid subscribers get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
How we often emulate the wrong people
A mistake many comics make is they get their inspiration from comics who are way ahead of them. They think if they get advice from someone who’s many steps ahead of them on the ladder, they’ll get some kinda magic recipe. A problem with that: Whatever worked for that comic may not work anymore. They may tell you how to work the industry the way they did 20 years ago, but these days the algorithm matters more than the industry.
How to get on an editor's 'regulars' roster
Hello friends! To celebrate the relaunch of FWT, all week I’m offering a 25% discount for a yearlong subscription. Paid subscribers get access to all past and future paid-only posts, the full archive of recorded Zoom workshops, a roundup of what a bunch of publications pay freelance writers, tips for diversifying your freelance income, 50% off all Zoom workshops, and much more.
FWT is back, and with some great new workshops!
Hello friends, it’s been a while! After a bit of a (much-needed) hiatus, FWT is back in full swing and better than ever. Thank you for your patience! I know for a lot of you this is the first newsletter you’re receiving, so let’s refresh: Hi! I’m Tim. For six years, I edited and commissioned stories from freelancers at The New York Times. Over the years, I’ve seen thousands of pitches, and I’ve developed, edited, and guided hundreds of stories.
7 Newsletters That Will Improve Your Writing
The resurgence of the email newsletter over the past couple of years is great news for writers. So much of our work requires probing our deepest thoughts in isolation, biting our cuticles, staring at cracked paint on the walls. Whether online or IRL, sharing insights and developing community is essential for survival. Subscribing to newsletters by writers, for writers is a way of staying in conversation with peers.
How to find freelance work using social media
Hello friends! This week I’ve asked friend of FWT Kaitlyn Arford to share some strategies about finding freelance work on social media. Kaitlyn is one of the most adept freelancers at doing this, and she very frequently shares the fruits of her labor on Twitter — like, all day every day, seriously go follow her — so I wanted to get some insight into her process.
How to find editors to pitch
Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter that helps you better navigate the world of journalism — and get paid doing it. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. For $6/month or $60/year, you’ll get an extra newsletter every week, access to the full archive of Zoom panels and workshops, invites to subscriber-only events, discounted access to paid workshops, and so much more. Click here to see options for subscribing.
Office of Public Affairs & Communications
New York Times Editor and Freelancing Educator Tim Herrera on how to get from idea generation to publication. Join the Yale Journalism Initiative and Davenport College to hear former NYTimes editor and freelancing educator Tim Herrera talk about how to land articles in national publications.
Registration open for upcoming FWT workshops!
Hello friends, happy fall! So glad to leave summer behind and finally be in what is obviously the best time of the year. Spooky Season is upon us! I’ll get right to the point: We have a tonnnn of workshops coming up over the next few weeks on some of my favorite — and often most-requested — topics to cover, including improving your pitches, upping your personal essay game, learning how to build a longform narrative, improving your overall freelance business, and so, so much more.
70+ pitching guides for Vox, NatGeo, Wired, Vulture, Politico, WaPo, Wirecutter, Slate, and more
(Illustration by Matt Lubchansky) Hello and welcome to Freelancing With Tim! This newsletter is a weekly resource for journalists full of tips, advice, and guidance about making it in the industry. It covers everything from writing the perfect pitch and building a freelance business to crafting a longform narrative feature and generating story ideas. If you like what you’re reading, please consider subscribing to the free or paid version.
60+ pitching guides for Vox, NatGeo, Wired, Vulture, WaPo, Wirecutter, Slate, and more
(Illustration by Matt Lubchansky) Hello and welcome to Freelancing With Tim! This newsletter is a weekly resource for journalists full of tips, advice, and guidance about making it in the industry. It covers everything from writing the perfect pitch and building a freelance business to crafting a longform narrative feature and generating story ideas. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription.
Registration open for upcoming FWT workshops!
Hello friends! I hope you all are having a wonderful summer and taking all the time you need to rest up and care for your well-being — and, of course, having a successful summer freelancing! SO! After a few false starts and a little ~summer hiatus~, FWT is finally returning this month!! It’s been quite a year — and, tbh, if you’re anything like me, you’re still dealing with pandemic burnout — but next week I’ll be resuming my normal newsletter and workshop schedule.
Treat your freelance business like a taco truck
Welcome to Freelancing With Tim, a newsletter that helps you better navigate the world of journalism — and get paid doing it. If you like what you’re reading, please consider a paid subscription. For $6/month or $60/year, you’ll get an extra newsletter every week, access to the full archive of Zoom panels and workshops, invites to subscriber-only events, discounted access to paid workshops, and so much more. Click here to see options for subscribing.
How to find freelance work using social media
SALE! From now through the end of May, get 25% off a yearly subscription to this newsletter! To mark the return of FWT, I’m offering a 25% discount on a yearly subscription, normally $60. With a paid sub, you’ll get a second, subscriber-only newsletter every week; invites to subscriber-only events; access to the full archive of Zoom panels; and a 50% discount to every paid FWT event.
Parker Molloy on surviving - and thriving - as an independent journalist
SALE! From now through the end of May, get 25% off a yearly subscription to this newsletter! To mark the return of FWT, I’m offering a 25% discount on a yearly subscription, normally $60. With a paid sub, you’ll get a second, subscriber-only newsletter every week; invites to subscriber-only events; access to the full archive of Zoom panels; and a 50% discount to every paid FWT event.
Registration open for April's panels and workshops!
SALE! From now through the end of April, get 25% off a yearly subscription to this newsletter! To mark the return of FWT, I’m offering a 25% discount on a yearly subscription. With a paid subscription, you’ll get a second, subscriber-only newsletter every week; invites to subscriber-only events; access to the full archive of Zoom panels; and discounts to every paid workshop.
A quick update from FWT (yes we're coming back!)
Hello friends! As many of you have noticed and asked about, I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus since January. This was slightly unexpected — hence the lack of notice — but I just wanted to reach out to the community and say yes, I’ll be back in full force in April! All is well, and I sincerely appreciate everyone who has reached out.
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