Sat, 21 November 2009
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In the third part of our new series My Expat Job, we look at what it's like to be a freelance journalist in Germany - and find out the advantages and disadvantages. |
Rhea Wessel has a successful journalism career in Germany |
I work as a freelance writer for American and international newspapers and magazines. I also write and edit texts in English for PR agencies that represent German/European companies. Each week, I work on diverse subjects: I write about RFID technology or the German banking industry or I may cover an event on a US military base for the AP.
What are your working conditions like?
My working conditions are excellent since I’m the one in control of them. This is what I enjoy about freelancing. I must pay and manage my own taxes and I’m responsible for my own health insurance and retirement savings. This is pretty standard for every freelancer around the world.
What is a typical work day like for you?
I’m an early bird, so I usually start at the computer before 6am. Coffee in hand, the computer warms up and I clean out my e-mail box with the hopes of finding an assignment from an editor I work with in the US About 40 percent of my work is assigned by editors who know what they want. The rest of it must be pitched. Writing a pitch is always a small investment of time and energy since you essentially have to start with the story in order to know how to shape it for each audience. It can be very frustrating when editors don’t answer your e-mails, but you have to be persistent and stay friendly. I work with file folders and story plans so I can keep all the materials for each story or project together. This is really important since I may do a little bit of work on several stories each day, and it’s no fun to waste time digging for the right papers.
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