How I Got Paid $70 For 90 Minutes of Work

Author: J. Wallace

Freelance writers have a fabulous job as long as they are able to write what they know. The trouble is, many times they don’t see an opportunity dangling right in front of them. I’ve been that way hundreds of times myself, but recently I managed to see through the fog and find an opportunity to get published, pay tribute to a writing icon, and get paid all at the same time.

The literary world was stunned by the sudden death of author Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson’s name became legend after creating his own brand of journalism-Gonzo. He reported facts, but through his own over-excited perspective. I was a longtime reader and student of Thompson’s work, if for no other reason than to learn what NOT to do in many cases: Thompson was a notoriously difficult writer; he gave editors migraines when it came time to actually cough up the goods on a promised article.

I was contemplating the sudden death of Thompson while doing research into new freelance markets. I was examining one aimed at motorcycle hobbyists when it occurred to me that Thompson was heavily connected with cycle lovers. He frequently wrote about motorcycles, road tested them and wrote freelance articles about his experiences riding. I quickly wrote out a tribute to Hunter Thompson, highlighting his work in the motorcycle field. The story was heartfelt, and detailed with enough quotes and information to show that he was indeed a supporter of legitimate motorcycle owners worldwide. I then dashed off a quick email to the editor of the magazine in hopes that they might appreciate the strong connection between the late author and motorcycles.

It only took me about an hour to research and write the piece because I was so familiar with Thompson’s work. I already knew all the right quotes I would need, I just needed to look them up and verify that I remembered them correctly. Accuracy combined with proper attribution gave me the clout I would need to make an editor sit up and take notice. About a half hour later, I had a query letter finished and off to the editor of the magazine. In a week, I heard back from the editor who not only bought the tribute, but also referenced it on the front cover of the magazine. I was thrilled.

After my initial elation, I stopped to ponder the whole experience. Why had this worked out so well? The answer was simple―I had an intimate understanding of my subject matter; I cared about it and was able to write authoritatively with a minimum of research to insure I remembered my facts in the right way.

How many things do you have a passionate interest in? Chances are you have a wealth of understanding about a great many things. You may be a student of theology or an expert with a hammer and saw, but whatever you are, take advantage of your specialized knowledge and you will find that you can sell articles in unusual places.

I bragged to my writer friends that I had gotten published in a “cycle magazine” in the same week I had a credit in Garden and Hearth. They had a good laugh at the image of a man wearing cycle leathers weeding his petunias, but the concept is sound. You can find ways to market your individualized expertise if you can look beyond the standard places you normally sell your work. It’s all down to your imagination.