How to Work as a Reporter Overseas

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Laptop Computer

1. Before departure, apply for and receive a journalist's visa or work visa.
2. Just before leaving, call publications you hope to write for and introduce yourself to editors. Get email addresses and names, and send clips. Don't worry about brush-offs.
3. Set up a U.S. bank account with a small amount of money.
4. Go to a country.
5. Read the local press. An English-language newspaper is especially helpful. Identify local issues not well-known in the U.S.
6. At a cyber-café or with a laptop computer, email a letter pitching a local story to a small U.S. publication. Expect resistance from large publications, most of which have little interest in local news. Industry-specific newsletters and business publications are traditional places to break in.
7. When you sell the story, ask if you can call the editor collect in the future, to save yourself an expensive phone bill.
8. Write and file a story of the agreed length. Remember time differences and datelines when figuring out deadlines.
9. Arrange payment to U.S. account.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be too pushy.
• Having your own phone and computer is very helpful.
• Local language skills are an enormous advantage.
• Don't misrepresent yourself. You are not a representative of a publication until the publication agrees to buy your story.
• Expect to lose some money on phone calls and faxes at first.

Who Can Help:

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