7 Reasons This Weekly Journalism & Communications Jobs Newsletter is Different From All the Rest

Advice for Freelancers, Content Badasses, Freelance Journalism Jobs of the Week, How Do You Find the Best Freelancers?, Managing Your Content Business, Video Content, Why You Need a Freelancer

I’ve been a successful freelance journalist for more than ten years and I have tons of strategies, techniques and talent for finding relevant, high-paying, and worthwhile full-time and freelance journalism, communications, video, television, social media and editing jobs on the market.

Here are seven reasons that this paid journalism and communications jobs newsletter is different from all the others on the market. I’ve been a successful freelance journalist for more than ten years. I have many strategies, techniques, and talent for finding relevant, high-paying, and worthwhile full-time and freelance journalism, communications, video, and editing jobs on the market.

Here are seven reasons why this paid journalism and communications jobs newsletter differs from all the others on the market.

All Freelance Journalism Gigs Pay a Minimum of $1 Per Word

There was a time when $1 per word was a minimum. Today, with the advent of AI, mass layoffs, and more, it’s getting more difficult to find calls-for-pitches that pay this minimum. Each week, I curate freelance gigs and calls directly from editors that pay a minimum of $1 per word or offer an excellent byline opportunity (especially if you’re looking to broaden the type of coverage you do or want to move into a new beat). Paid subscribers to my jobs newsletter get a different curated list in their inbox each week. I also do my best to include outlets you’ve heard of (or those with outstanding reputations).

Editor’s Email Addresses are Included in Calls-For-Pitches

Stop wasting your valuable time trying to construct an editor’s email address. Each freelance call includes a way to contact the right editor. No searching is necessary on your part.

I always recommend that monthly paid subscribers archive these emails as a valuable way to update your contacts and keep the right editor contacts on hand when you have a great pitch that you want to send.

All Jobs & Freelance Gigs are Fully-Remote

I have been a remote worker for most of my career and know that being remote is tremendously valuable as a freelancer and full-timer. All jobs included in this weekly paid newsletter are full-remote unless they offer a fantastic opportunity, in which case, I note where they are located.


In the cases where the job is not remote, I note it at the end of the listing like this:

All Full-Time Journalism & Communications Jobs Pay a Minimum of $100,000 Per Year

Yes. Really. I work hard to find these jobs for paid subscribers and include them in each weekly newsletter. After all, we’re skilled, talented, and highly-experienced professionals.

newsletter, every single week. After all, we’re skilled, talented and highly-experienced professionals and we should be paid professional salaries.

I Have Been Working in Journalism & Communications For More Than 10 Years & Provide Insights You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Want to know what an office environment is really like? I’ve got you. I have worked in many places with many talented (and, sadly, horribly untalented) people. This newsletter is for you if you want the inside scoop on many major media outlets. I pull no punches (and you can always email me for more details if you have questions about my “Editor’s Notes.”)

If you’d like to know more about me and my work, you can check out my bio at my portfolio site at abigailbassett.com

You Don’t Have to Troll the Job Listings Each Week Yourself

I do the work for you every single week. The newsletter goes out on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. PT.

When you sign up for a monthly $5 subscription, I send you the most recent newsletter and add you to the ongoing list.

If you opt for the $3 option to access just the current week’s content, you’ll only get the most recent newsletter.

How to Handle the “Unpaid-Work” Interview

Advice for Freelancers, Content Badasses, Managing Your Content Business, Why You Need a Freelancer

What do you do when the job opportunity you’re interested in wants story ideas and “sample” work before they decide to interview or pay you?

It’s the age-old question: Do you do a whole bunch of free work to possibly land a gig? The answer is frequently fraught and often frustrating–but here’s what you need to know. 


“Send me three well-researched pitches…” and Maybe I’ll Pay You for Them, or Maybe I’ll Assign Them to my Full-Time Staff

I was recently trolling the job listings and came across a freelance ghostwriting gig that looked promising on LinkedIn. It was an “Easy Apply” gig, but upon reading the description, it turned out that the poster wanted applicants to email them directly with as many as 10 (!!!) links to relevant bylines, a cover letter, and a resume. 

“Ok, fine.” I sighed and got to emailing. I also clicked that “Easy Apply” button, just to indicate that I was a serious applicant and interested in the spot. 

A few hours later, I got a note in my LinkedIn Messages. There, the job poster enumerated a proposed “exercise” assignment, as he called it. 

He requested that I come up with a “provocation,” which immediately set alarm bells off in my head. In today’s hotly partisan world, that generally means an “unpopular opinion,” or “hot take,” that frequently smells of rage baiting, a common technique to boost views and interactions on a website. He even went through a list of questions I should ask myself about the topic (cue the deep side eye from experienced journalists). 

His note went on to say that once the company approved my “provocation,” I “will find an excellent expert on the matter,” who could argue that point of view, then I’d reach out to that “expert” to “get their interest,” (MLM anyone?). At that point, the hiring company would decide if I should proceed to “work with that person to write the article.”

The kicker? “We can offer you $500 if we decide to publish the article based on the assignment.

Um…


The Issues Around the Unpaid-Work Interview

If you subscribe to my weekly freelance and full-time journalism job listings, you know I pull no punches about how journalists are paid and what professional-level writers, editors, television producers, podcasters, and broadcasters deserve for their experience and work.

I point out when a job or gig is very well paying (those on my list pay at least $1 per word or more for freelance work, and generally above $100,000 per year if it’s full-time) and offer any insight I may have about the workplace. (In case you don’t know, I’ve worked for a LOT of high-profile outlets and places, and I can tell you MANY of the nitty gritty details about all of them.)

I advocate for a fair, living wage to be paid to those of us who are professional journalists working hard to dig up the truth about the world and share knowledge because I sincerely believe (to quote my CNN sweatshirt that hangs on the back of my office chair) The World Needs Journalists. 

All of this brings me to the core issue of the “Unpaid-Work” interview: Sharing story ideas, pitches, and even doing “exercise” assignments before an employer has even decided if they want to interview or hire you is a SCAM that’s perpetuated by corporate overlords who aim to suck every ounce of creativity out of the largest number of applicants. 

Read that again. The Unpaid-Work Interview Is. A. Scam.

How do I know? I’ve seen it happen–from both inside and outside major media outlets.

I’ve watched a number of major media outlets (who will publicly remain unnamed) put applicants through the “Unpaid-Work” rigamarole because they’ve burned out their own journalists and content creators so fiercely that the full-time employees are mere shells.

I’ve seen those stories, pitches, and “exercise” assignments sent in by job seekers, stolen by management, and assigned to junior staff reporters just so those managers can tout how they have their “finger on the pulse” of what’s happening in the world. “Hey, look at how great our numbers are,” they pronounce, knowing full well they mined hard-working job applicants for the ideas. 

I’ve also seen it from the job seekers’ side of the equation–both in freelance and full-time opportunities. I’ve even gone so far as to do one or two of these Unpaid-Work Interviews because I really did want to work for the outlet or publication.

Sadly, after doing a couple of them and later discovering that my ideas had been stolen by the outlet or publication and assigned to someone else, I refuse to do them anymore. I also have put those outlets (and the editors I dealt with there) on no-fly lists, meaning that I will not work for, write for, or publish with those people or publications. 


How to Handle an “Unpaid-Work” Interview?

There are a couple of ways you can handle the Unpaid-Work Interview:

  • Decide to go for it, expecting your content to be stolen if you are not hired. 
  • Decide to pass, and wish the job poster well. (i.e., “Thank you so much for the opportunity to move forward in the interview process, but unfortunately, I’ll need to withdraw my application for this position. Best of luck in your search…”

At this point in my career, the Unpaid-Work Interview is a major red flag that immediately takes that publication and editor off of my radar. It’s really up to you how you choose to proceed, but if you decide to go for the Unpaid-Work Interview, know that your work will likely end up under someone else’s byline. 

Oh, and funny enough, I got the exact same, word-for-word, email in my inbox about 12 hours after the note landed in my LinkedIn messages about that job.

 If you want to see which freelance job I highly recommend skipping, become a paid subscriber, and I’ll send you this week’s newsletter with that position highlighted as one to avoid. 

Sound off in the comments (or drop me an email) about the WORST job interview requests you’ve seen. I’d love to commiserate.

Freelance Journalism Jobs

Freelance Writing, Editing and Journalism Jobs, for the Week ending June 16

Freelance Journalism Jobs of the Week, Why You Need a Freelancer

Here’s a curated list of the best freelance journalism jobs from around the web, for the week of June 11, 2023. All jobs pay a minimum of $1 a word, or offer a fantastic byline opportunity for those looking to get a chance at a top-tier outlet with name recognition. These are all listed as remote and can be done (in theory) from anywhere. Be sure to check the listings for details.

Inclusion does not equal endorsement.

Apply to these gigs through the provided, direct links.

The new post will come out each week on Wednesday on Pacific Time. The weekly post is updated through Friday before a new post is built over the weekend! Come back frequently to see the latest updates!

This week’s listings include new, high-profile jobs and gigs from TechCrunch, Wirecutter, Yahoo!, Spy, New Republic, Sierra Magazine, Viator Travel, Surfer.com, Lux Magazine, Insider, The Financial Times Magazine, and many more!

These jobs are sourced through a variety of outlets (and platforms) both through Abigail’s own research but also through this curated list of her favorite writers, editors and freelancers on Twitter (which you can follow or request to be added to).

A QUICK NOTE TO EDITORS SEEKING PITCHES & OUTLETS SEEKING FREELANCERS:

If you have something you’d like to see on this list, feel free to email me directly and I’ll add it. Many of the people who read this and subscribe to the mailing list are high-caliber, professional freelance journalists with tons of experience, ideas and awards. Drop me a note here.

ABOUT ABIGAIL BASSETT & WHY SHE CHOSE THESE JOBS

Abigail Bassett is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist with more than 15 years of varied experience under her belt. She spent ten years as a senior producer at CNN in New York, and has been running CNTRL Media, LLC, since 2014, when she began her freelance journalism career. Abigail is also a skilled moderator, on-air and podcasting host with credits and appearances at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, SXSW, the JBL Fest, Reuters Automotive Events, Electrify Expo and other top-tier, household name events and publications.

The content below has been curated by Abigail and she digs up these gigs on everything from Twitter and LinkedIn to FlexJobs, Glassdoor, and Indeed because she believes in two tenets:

  • Experienced freelance journalists should be paid a fair wage for their work.
  • Freelancers need to stick together and help each other out. This is her way of doing just that.

The first portion of the job description has been copied and pasted into the post and the direct application link is included. Readers will need to forgive the shifts in pronouns/tenses, throughout, as these are the original job postings.

More of Abigail’s journalism work including her bylines with Elle Magazine, National Geographic, Travel & Leisure, TechCrunch, Fortune, Forbes, Maxim, Car & Driver and more, at her portfolio site at abigailbassett.com. She has weathered the ups and downs in the economy and her freelance business continues to grow and thrive. Follow her on Twitter, Bluesky, or Instagram to find out more about her current assignments. And yes, she does apply for a lot of these jobs (in case you’re wondering). But mostly, she just wants to make the world a little bit better for journalists trying to make a living in the age of AI. (More on that soon…) She is available for commissions, so reach out!

If you like this post, sign up to become a newsletter member! We will be shifting this to a paid newsletter instead of a public post which means that the only way you’ll get it is if you subscribe!

Freelance Journalism Jobs & Calls For Pitches

Full Time Journalism & Editing Jobs

Freelance Journalism Jobs

Freelance Writing, Editing and Journalism Jobs, for the Week of June 5

Freelance Journalism Jobs of the Week, Why You Need a Freelancer

Here’s a curated list of the best freelance journalism jobs from around the web, for the week of June 5, 2023. All jobs pay a minimum of $1 a word, or offer a fantastic byline opportunity for those looking to get a chance at a top-tier outlet with name recognition. These are all listed as remote and can be done (in theory) from anywhere. Be sure to check the listings for details.

Inclusion does not equal endorsement.

Apply to these gigs through the provided, direct links.

The new post will come out each week on Wednesday on Pacific Time. The weekly post is updated through Friday before a new post is built over the weekend! Come back frequently to see the latest updates!

This week’s listings include new, high-profile jobs and gigs from Cosmopolitan, Axios, Lonely Planet, Harper’s, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, USA Today, Robinhood, more from Wirecutter, Tesla, The Drive, as well as the San Diego Tribune, and more. This list includes full-time jobs that pay as much as $210,000 a year!

These jobs are sourced through a variety of outlets (and platforms) both through Abigail’s own research but also through this curated list of her favorite writers, editors and freelancers on Twitter (which you can follow or request to be added to). One of her favorite sources for a twice-weekly list of calls for pitches, is Sonia Weiser‘s stellar newsletter that you can pay to subscribe to, here. She does an incredible job of curating the latest calls for pitches.

A QUICK NOTE TO EDITORS SEEKING PITCHES & OUTLETS SEEKING FREELANCERS:

If you have something you’d like to see on this list, feel free to email me directly and I’ll add it. Many of the people who read this and subscribe to the mailing list are high-caliber, professional freelance journalists with tons of experience, ideas and awards. Drop me a note here.

ABOUT ABIGAIL BASSETT & WHY SHE CHOSE THESE JOBS

Abigail Bassett is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist with more than 15 years of varied experience under her belt. She spent ten years as a senior producer at CNN in New York, and has been running CNTRL Media, LLC, since 2014, when she began her freelance journalism career. Abigail is also a skilled moderator, on-air and podcasting host with credits and appearances at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, SXSW, the JBL Fest, Reuters Automotive Events, Electrify Expo and other top-tier, household name events and publications.

The content below has been curated by Abigail and she digs up these gigs on everything from Twitter and LinkedIn to FlexJobs, Glassdoor, and Indeed because she believes in two tenets:

  • Experienced freelance journalists should be paid a fair wage for their work.
  • Freelancers need to stick together and help each other out. This is her way of doing just that.

The first portion of the job description has been copied and pasted into the post and the direct application link is included. Readers will need to forgive the shifts in pronouns/tenses, throughout, as these are the original job postings.

More of Abigail’s journalism work including her bylines with Elle Magazine, National Geographic, Travel & Leisure, TechCrunch, Fortune, Forbes, Maxim, Car & Driver and more, at her portfolio site at abigailbassett.com. She has weathered the ups and downs in the economy and her freelance business continues to grow and thrive. Follow her on Twitter, Bluesky, or Instagram to find out more about her current assignments. And yes, she does apply for a lot of these jobs (in case you’re wondering). But mostly, she just wants to make the world a little bit better for journalists trying to make a living in the age of AI. (More on that soon…) She is available for commissions, so reach out!

If you like this post, sign up to become a newsletter member! We may shift this to a newsletter instead of a public post which means that the only way you’ll get it is if you subscribe!

Freelance Journalism Jobs & Pitch Requests

Freelance Editing Jobs

Full-Time Journalism Jobs

Content Badasses Unite!

Content Badasses, How Do You Find the Best Freelancers?, Video Content, Why You Need a Freelancer

There are plenty of freelance writers, editors, content strategists, video content producers, managers, social media gurus, internet marketers and general creators out there on the big wide Internet.

In fact, you’ve probably interacted with a number without knowing it. Ever Googled “how to” do anything? Then you’ve found us.

So why CNTRL MEDIA?

For one, me.

As one of my favorite authors, Jen Sincero, says, in her awesome book, You Are a Badass:

“You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a big deal.”

 

I kind of subscribe to that idea — I am “kind of a big deal.”

Why?

I’ve spent the last 18 years at the top of major media corporations creating content for all kinds of people. Everyone from CEOs, top-level start-ups, on-air personalities, brands and Fortune 500 businesses have tapped me to create, manage, ideate, build, and curate their content. My work has won Webbys, Emmys and Peabody Awards. I have worked on Academy Award winning films. I have spoken at major content conferences all over the world. Quite frankly, I am a verifiable content badass.

I spent 10 years as a Senior Producer at CNN. I’ve taken piddly little YouTube Channels and built them to become powerhouses. I’ve built solid social media followings for brands that were languishing (without investing a ton of cash.) I’ve managed film and video shoots both large and small, and I’ve run successful content teams all over the world.

I’ve been a fiercely successful freelancer for many years and I believe in the power of great content delivered in any medium possible.

So if you’re here to learn how to create, manage, or ideate badass content, sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter here.