Freelancers reveal side gigs that help pay bills — and fuel creativity 

After getting laid off from a well-paying staff job at the New York Daily News in 2006, Caitlin Kelly took a part-time job at The North Face near New York City — her first time in retail at age 50. She’d struggled to find another journalism job, and selling fleece jackets and down sleeping bags helped pay the bills. 

It also unexpectedly inspired her second book, “Mailed: My Unintentional Career in Retail,” which critics called “reality journalism at its best.” 

Since then, Kelly has maintained a prolific freelance writing career, publishing in-depth features, profiles and essays for The New York Times, Forbes, AARP and other outlets. The Canadian-born writer has also pursued various side gigs, like teaching French and coaching writers, along the way. 

She encourages other freelancers to take a “detailed inventory” of their intellectual, physical and other skills — and consider monetizing them, when possible, without getting hung up on prestige.  

“I think the challenge for some freelancers is feeling that non-journalism income is somehow less legit, or uncool or ‘lesser than,’” Kelly wrote me. But in reality, she said, “your landlord, mortgage, student loan or grocery bill doesn’t care where the money actually comes from as long as it’s in full and on time.” Maybe a side hustle will even spawn your next story — or book — idea. 

Finding stability

It’s not clear how many freelancers have side hustles, but it’s surely a lot — and growing due to AI snatching up pieces that would have been assigned just a year ago, and layoffs tirelessly punting more strong writers into the freelance field.

In one of my Facebook groups of successful freelance writers, more than 50 — and counting — shared how they make ends meet, whether by catering and dog-sitting, selling appliances, renting out a home or working in a library. Many pursue writing-adjacent gigs, like copywriting, ghostwriting and marketing. 

After all, one 2022 survey found that most independent writers’ freelance income was less than $30,000 a year, and that seems to include non-journalistic writing like for agencies. Strictly journalistic work is even harder to come by — and survive on. (It’s not impossible, though. I should point out that AHCJ’s freelance membership requires you to spend at least 50% of your time working for independent news organizations.)  

Still, I think it’s crucial to demystify how many freelance journalists have other jobs, and celebrate how those roles can do more than pay the bills. They can fuel creativity, provide connections and fodder for story ideas and allow writers to be more choosy with what assignments they take. 

Here’s what four other independent journalists told me they do to round out their livelihoods. 

Teaching and tutoring 

One journalist who mostly covers the performing arts for publications including the New York Times said the majority of his income comes from substitute teaching and tutoring. 

As a former full-time teacher, he said he loves gigs that allow him to continue to help kids learn. Plus, the baseline income means he can pick story assignments he wants, and avoid burning out on less fulfilling writing work. 

“I also really like how different the work is from my journalism career. When a school day or tutoring session is over, I still have plenty of energy for interviews and writing work,” he said. On the other hand, staying up late for journalism projects makes it tough to get up early to teach.

Similarly, a full-time teacher named Chip, who makes 10% to 20% of his income on freelancing education news stories and cultural features, said sparing time and energy for writing can be a challenge. Plus, his schedule means he’s often limited to scheduling interviews for his lunch break or after 5 p.m. 

The upside is being able to use teaching as a tool for social justice and an “excuse” to constantly read and think about great literature. As a bonus, working with Gen Z means he’s up to speed on media trends. “I’d have no idea what young people care about, or how they access it without my students,” he said. 

Personal training management  

For Michael Schroeder, an AHCJ member and independent journalist in Indianapolis, working as a personal training manager at a local gym provides “modest supplemental income.” 

The role allows him to prioritize his health and fitness, which then gives him stamina for his editorial projects. Case in point: Schroeder has edited over 10 books in the past few years, including psychologist Susan Newman’s recent book on only children. 

What’s more, Schroeder said, meeting people who are about to make a healthy change is “a privilege” that aligns with his health writing. Many, if not most, gym clients “haven’t prioritized fitness in a long time,” he said.  “I can draw on my health reporting and personal and professional experience to point them toward public health recommendations and bedrock advice, and away from the latest fad diet or exercise routine.” 

Yoga instructing 

Dena Levitz, a New York City-based freelance writer, said she got into journalism with “a very idealistic sense of wanting to change the world for the better and to tell stories that matter.” 

While she still has that impulse, she’s now also able to effect change in a more visceral way as a yoga teacher. 

“I love that I can go into a space and lead a class where I am right in front of the students I’m teaching, and that the movement and breathing practices we do collectively can make an immediate positive impact in their lives,” Levitz said. “At the same time, you can help them long-term to tap into something epic and bigger than themselves.” 

These days, anywhere from one-third to one-half of Levitz’s income is from journalism. Rather than writing about wellness and yoga, she tends to cover travel, food and culture for places including Smithsonian Magazine and The Washington Post. 

“I enjoy taking on projects in both realms and feeling like I’m using my brain, my body and my heart in different ways,” she said. “The mix keeps me feeling fulfilled and like a fuller version of me.”