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Theatre and the arts play a huge part in modern culture, with post-pandemic studies showing theater attendance are back to a healthy level and, in some cases, surpassing numbers recorded in early 2020. As people flock back to their favorite halls, venues, and showings, they may notice things have changed, not on stage or backstage, but in the audience and often occupying the best seats in the house.
There’s an influx of theatre critics at shows, from local halls to the grand stage at the most famous venues. Scribes are writing reviews, posting online, and enjoying the many benefits of being a trusted critic. Other writers are working hard to climb the ranks, building their way into contention for their dream job of being a well-paid, respected, and famous critic. Getting to the top is challenging, but that doesn’t stop a steady stream of ambitious and confident writers from trying.
There’s a similar story in cinema, e-commerce, and even sports, with professional writers tackling the big issues to get themselves published in the mainstream. From writing reviews on the latest tech products due to hit the market this year to describing online sports betting in Oklahoma to beginners, writers are getting their teeth into some critical projects. Fancy giving it a go?
If you love to write and could see yourself working in the theater or entertainment industry as a full-time job, earning profits from your passion, this article can help. We focus on the easiest ways to break into the writing industry, improve your skills, seek potential employers, and write exciting copy to earn a comfortable living while enjoying the latest shows. Being a copywriters connected to the theater may be your dream job, but nothing is stopping that dream becoming a reality.
In the past, many saw journalism, writing as a theater critic, or promoting shows as a closed shop. If you didn’t have a degree from a university ranking high in journalism, you might as well give up. Throw in the towel. Two decades ago, the thought of being a journalist, copywriter, or review writer without a university education was almost laughable. The routes into such a competitive industry didn’t exist.
What changed? In a word, technology. The latest tech and professional editing suites mean everyone with a flair for writing and passion for their chosen subject can produce engaging copy that’ll sell to a global audience. If someone is planning a trip to the theater, they’d instead read a well-written review from a genuine fan than a professional review from an experienced critic with a reputation for being hard to please.
Just because anyone interested in writing can produce content and try to become a paid writer doesn’t mean they should. It remains a challenging area to access from a standing start, but this article helps keep you on the right path.
By the end of the page, we want to ensure our readers have the information needed to target a paid writing gig and build a career from there.
The more knowledge you have on professional writing, the more confident you’ll be, and that’ll shine through in your work. And the skills mentioned on this page are transferable to other areas. That includes sports writing, tech, dining, and more. Follow these steps if you’re a good writer with strong opinions and relevant experience.
No matter your education, background, and writing skills, you must leave your ego at the door when you start writing. It’s unnecessary in this game and will cause more problems than it’ll help you find solutions. Employers aren’t too bothered about where you went to school or the awards you won in education.
Editors are looking for dedicated hard workers with exceptional writing skills who can take criticism onboard to improve. Banging on about past glories or success in other areas of life won’t win you many friends in the field either, and that’s important.
A friendly face counts double when freelancing; you can do with as many allies as possible. Other writers can share advice, help build working relationships and lead you to employment.
Combine no ego and build new contacts by blogging or writing for free. You can set up your theater blog and cover the shows you enjoy the most or work for a respected site, providing all types of copy.
You can charge per word or article, but offering your skills for free and working as a hobby is worthwhile. You’re missing out on cash in the short term, but you will have a fantastic portfolio packed with impressive work you can send to future employers.
Bringing a stacked writing portfolio when applying for jobs shows your writing skills, dedication, and commitment. It proves you can research, have good time management, and stick to deadlines. Be bold in rolling up your sleeves and doing a content writing apprenticeship by working without pay.
When you have a strong portfolio and are ready to seek paid work, it’s time to approach editors and sub-editors. Going in too early when your portfolio is a work in progress could crush your chances of gaining paid writing gigs. There’s no rush when seeking perfection; although you’ll be eager to jump in and earn, patience is a virtue.
Another common mistake that’s easy to make when applying for freelance writing roles is cost. Go too low, and you’ll look like an amateur with no idea of their worth. Having a great portfolio makes it worse. But going in too high will scare off potential employers, and such a mistake can take a while to fix. The industry remembers and rarely forgives greedy or unprofessional writers.
Check what other writers are charging and try to fit your quotes around them to be competitive. The size of the publication may also affect your rates. Smaller companies have smaller budgets but are more likely to hire new writers. More prominent companies have bigger budgets but are often already well-stocked with freelance writers.
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