Automotive journalism....how to even begin???

[Riley Blue]

I wrote to the editor of a particular one-make magazine asking why he never had articles about the model I'd just bought. He replied saying if you want articles, how about writing some - so I did and carried on as a freelance motoring writer, gradually getting work in other publications, for the next twenty years or so.

[jurbie]

At want point can one expect to be paid? I've had positive responses from some editors right up until I mention money and then I never hear from them again. I don't expect to be paid if I submit rubbish that doesn't get published but if it's good enough to be published then surely I should get paid regardless of whether they know who I am or not?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

jurbie said:

At want point can one expect to be paid? I've had positive responses from some editors right up until I mention money and then I never hear from them again. I don't expect to be paid if I submit rubbish that doesn't get published but if it's good enough to be published then surely I should get paid regardless of whether they know who I am or not?

When you've done enough to convince them that if you stop writing for them, no one else can do free what you've been doing free and their publication will suffer as a result of the withdrawal of your services. Or you have enough unpaid articles published to use as a meaningful portfolio of work to get interviews elsewhere.

My son worked free for around 7 months, submitting approx 4 published articles per month. All whilst still at school completing the final year of his A levels. But those published articles, that he could present to others, were instrumental in him getting a paid job.

[boyse7en]

Do you really want to be a journalist, or do you want a job that offers driving lots of cars for free?

There are loads of magazines/periodicals/websites looking for well-written and researched articles on a regular basis, but many of them will be after more insightful pieces than "My weekend with a Bentley". Those "glamour" roles are sought after, and there is a lot of competition for them, so you need to be

As well as the obvious publications such as Car, Evo, Octane etc, there are dozens of specialist mags (MiniWorld, Land Rover Owner etc), trade mags for mechanics, salesman, and dealerships, most large car brands have their own in-house magazine. The AA and RAC publish regular reviews and informational leaflets. Commercial vehicles, buses, coaches – all have their own publications too

We use freelancers a lot, and one of the things we always look for are credentials that make you a good choice for an article. For example, if we wanted a page about the sales performance of Honda in the far east, having a track-record of knowing Honda's business arrangements, or having worked in journalism in the far east, will provide a level of credibility for our audience.
So get some experiences under your belt that mean you have a reason for an editor to pick you rather than someone else. Becoming an authority on a niche subject (electric vehicles, three-wheelers, 1960s US sportscars, front wheel drive trucks) is also useful as you can become the go-to-guy for many different publications should a suitable story come up.

Everything we publish we pay for.