Have you ever felt stuck pitching the same kinds of stories as your interests evolve or as the media landscape shifts?
You’re not alone. Many freelancers eventually want to move beyond their usual beat to avoid being pigeonholed, to land more assignments or to simply follow their curiosity. But how do you pivot into new territory and show editors that you're the right person for an assignment outside your portfolio?
Anna Medaris started out — and still works — in health journalism, but her portfolio also includes stories on sex and relationships, freelancing and even a personal stein-holding victory. “My excitement for following anything and everything — as opposed to thriving on being the go-to expert on a specific topic — was a key reason I decided to try freelancing full-time for the first time in 2023.”
However, embracing this generalist approach took Medaris some time. “I'm still working on it, but I think the fact that I never tried to be explicitly one thing is helping,” she said.
Sometimes, the leap into a new niche happens by chance — like when an editor who enjoyed Jen A. Miller’s stories on running encouraged her to try tech reporting. But, often, there's a bridge. “I write about construction, which is strongly linked to supply chain, which is strongly linked to technology,” said the freelance writer and author.
Other times, the throughline is a hot topic being reframed for different audiences. “Right now, everyone wants stories about the good, the bad, and the ugly of AI,” said Miller. “By writing a lot about that, I'm able to cover multiple fields even if they seem far apart.”
For both journalists, broadening their coverage has been a natural part of their freelance evolution. Here are their best tips for freelancers looking to branch out:
Understand your ‘why’
Take time to consider what’s driving your shift. “I think expanding your beat can be creatively fulfilling and lucrative, but it's not for everyone,” said Medaris.
Some writers thrive by committing to one subject area. Others draw energy from variety. There’s no right approach, but it’s worth experimenting before making a full pivot. Try writing a few pieces outside of your niche to see how it feels.
Use what you already know
Your current expertise can often be your strongest entry point into a new beat.
Health touches policy, personal nutrition and fitness, trends, service stories, celebrities, culture, food, drink, and more. That breadth makes it easier for Medaris to find unexpected angles. “If I'm pitched an idea from a wellness dog brand, I can spin the pets angle over the wellness part,” she said.
This mindset opens up opportunities, especially when you can spot connections. Miller has contributed stories on AI to a banking publication — a topic she knows well and one that’s increasingly important to financial professionals.
“If you have an interest in yoga, then why couldn't you write for publications for fitness studio owners?” she asked. “If you can put together a story and turn it in on time, you have the skills to write almost anywhere.”
Adapt to new storytelling styles
Each beat has its own rhythm. Shifting gears means adjusting your tone, pacing and structure. “Health stories usually need some hook or tension,” said Medaris. “Does that apply to travel stories, which often are more along the lines of 'this awesome place exists'?”
That kind of uncertainty can make even experienced journalists second-guess themselves. To bridge the gap, Medaris has been reading more travel and lifestyle publications she’d like to write for, paying close attention to what resonates with readers and how those pieces are structured.
Tell people what you want to write about
One of the easiest ways to branch out of your niche is to tell editors, publicists and fellow journalists what you want to write about.
“Tell editors what else you're interested in,” said Medaris. “If they like working with you and believe in your reporting and writing chops regardless of [the] beat, they'll either want to assign you stories outside of what you're known for or connect you with colleagues who run other verticals.”
Even when Medaris turns down a PR pitch, she might respond strategically: “I know you think of me as a health journalist, but I'm also super interested in XYZ.” That small nudge often leads to unexpected opportunities.
She also turns to Facebook groups and writing communities, where journalists swap editor contacts and help each other place stories.
Use LOIs to break into non-consumer media
When reaching out to trade, B2B, or other non-consumer publications, Miller skips the traditional pitch. “I send a letter of introduction (LOI),” she said. “These publications tend to come up with story ideas on their own, [so] I present myself as the person to write them.”
Her LOIs are brief emails that include a bit about her background and links to relevant clips. In her Notes from a Hired Pen newsletter, she shared a sample that led to what she described as a “pretty great assignment.”
She uses this approach broadly. “If it’s anything other than a consumer publication, I send a letter of introduction,” she said. “If they like my stuff and want pitches, they’ll let me know.”
Stop worrying about bothering editors
Many freelancers hesitate to contact editors outside their usual beat, worried they’ll come across as unqualified or intrusive, but this fear is often misplaced.
“If you approach an editor when they're looking for the right story idea, or the right person for an idea they have, you've helped them solve a problem,” said Miller. “You might have even made their day.”
And if they don’t respond? “It's not personal, it's business. And business requires making a lot of outreaches that aren't going to get a response. It's part of it,” she said.
Photo by Kelly Huang on Unsplash.
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