How to Identify Sources for Freelance Journalism

Sources form the primary raw material for freelance journalists to develop features and stories. Sources can be company spokespersons, subject matter specialists and leads such as PR and corporate communications professionals leading you to the right respondents. To succeed in freelance journalism, one needs to identify multiple sources to form a repository or bank to develop timely stories and articles. The Web, even while democratizing opportunities for freelance journalists, has also made the field highly competitive. However, identifying sources for freelance journalism is an art which can be cultivated with a few well-thought out steps.

Things You'll Need

• Public library cards
• USB flash drives
• Pen, pencil and notepad
• Cell phone

Instructions

How to Identify Sources For Freelance Journalism

1. Develop your niche or beat. Getting a grip of the niches or beats that land you the best and sustained freelance writing assignments makes it easier to identify sources and cultivate them over a period of time. Focus on niches for which you have a steady and reliable stream of sources and thus helps you to turn around pieces and articles faster. Ensure reliable access to some opinion makers, trade analysts and top-notch experts in your niche so as to leverage columns from editors of trade/niche magazines and online information portals.

2. Use library resources. Take advantage of the wondrous resources of America's public libraries, professional associations' libraries and national libraries such as the Library of Congress that are open to the public to fine-tune your process of identification of sources. Regularly browse magazines and periodicals that you cannot afford to buy. Look intently for new sources in reference books, directories and trade/industry digests that could lead you to develop new articles and stories and even expand your horizon to develop newer niches.

3. Join relevant professional associations. Freelance trade journalists and science, technology and business journalists can benefit tremendously from joining professional organizations or relevant industry advocacy bodies. Enroll into such associations and network with industry luminaries, trade/industry analysts and top management of enterprises at events, conferences and seminars. Sense new trends and happenings in particular industries and cultivate these contacts over the long-term period.

4. Browse reader feedback. All mainstream newspapers and periodicals nowadays allow and encourage reader feedback online for select news stories, features and expert columns. Browse through some of the better-informed feedback and highly insightful comments posted by erudite, scholarly or even intellectually inclined readers -- many of whom also post their contact coordinates. If you are online on your home workstation, immediately save these comments or contact details in a Word processing program for future reference.

5. Always carry tools of the trade. Freelance journalists need to be sharp-witted to sense the next story or great query idea and therefore always have to be on the lookout for new sources. Always ensure that you carry the tools of the trade such as a pen, a pencil and a small notepad -- apart from the ubiquitous cell phone, USB flash drives and other new-age tools. If you catch a particular feature program on television and an articulate expert joins any discussion or debate, immediately note down his name. Similarly, while accessing library databases and specialized online resources, transfer files or information related to new sources to your flash drives if legally allowed.