5 Ways to profit from NGO’s

So you’re interested in writing for the Non-government organization (NGO) market. That’s great! The NGO sector is the eighth largest economy in the world and thankfully its still booming. If properly networked, NGO’s can become a steady source of income besides ensuring you never run out of ideas.

Here are five ways to profit from the NGO market:

1. Seeking freelancers. All NGO’s produce publications, both print and web content aimed to inform their beneficiaries, business houses and the general public about activities and finished projects. Writing grant proposals, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, editing and proofreading are some jobs that go to freelancers.

Although breaking into the NGO market isn’t that tough, you’re still required to do the homework that goes into any market research. But NGO’s don’t receive that many pitches and you can expect a prompt response. However, to ensure the response is favourable, you need to be well versed with the NGO sector – learn about the NGO, their publication, their activities and their funding – before you make that pitch.

Target local NGO’s for a start; whom you can visit and spend a few days attending their campaigns and events. Make a file of all the material you can lay your hands on, including handouts, brochures, leaflets, press release and news cuttings. Study their websites and familiarize yourself with their objectives. The more familiar you are with the NGO and the issues it’s tackling, the greater is your chance of acceptance. If possible give them mileage in one of your current publication by covering their workshop or campaign. That’ll cinch your contract when you meet the managing editor with the clipping.

And remember, once you land yourself an assignment with an NGO, make sure to take advantage of the opportunities that come along. Treasure all information that they provide you for crafting their articles; it can be spun into stories for other publications.

2. NGO’s are newsmakers. Whether its Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson and Russell Simmons’ campaign for animals under the banner of PETA (an NGO advocating animals rights), or ordinary activist and volunteers achieving extraordinary goals; some of the most sensational human interest stories take birth at NGO’s. Think of your local newspapers, news portals and global magazines. Stories on everyday heroes are always in demand.

The internet is full of news portals which are driven by articles written on global issues with a regional angle like literacy campaigns, spreading awareness against drugs, empowering women in developing countries, eradication of poverty and AIDS; topics endemic to NGO’s and of editors interest.

3. Multiple sales. Few other sources allow you more multiple sale options than subjects related to NGO’s. For instance a campaign against child labour once done as a news story, can be reworked into a full length feature to a women’s magazine and yet another version can go to a health magazine. Look further; the human rights journal, labour magazines, general interest magazines; the list is endless.

While you re-work the material to satisfy non-competing magazines and newspapers, ensure that besides a fresh angle, your story has a completely different version for each publication.

4. Excellent place to build contacts. Instead of you working hard building contacts, NGO’s network for you. Like freelancer writers, NGO’s survive on contacts. They rope in schools, colleges, corporate houses, clubs and other NGO’s to spread public awareness through campaigns and workshops. Contacts with NGO’s not only yield writing assignments from the parent organization, they also bring a string of assignments from these related sources. To maximize your benefits, focus on international NGO’s tackling the most extensive global issues. Network up the ladder with the help of contacts that you’ve made with their local body. Get their editor to put in a word for you before you mail them your query with the clips.

5. You never run out of ideas. Imagine logging in to your inbox overflowing with ideas. That’s just how easily ideas come your way with your NGO network. Once you subscribe to their newsletters, mostly distributed free, you’ll receive updates about all their forthcoming events and projects. NGO’s also gladly provide freelancers with more details, if requested.

Writing for NGO’s might not be the most exciting freelance job you’ve envisaged, but you can rest assure you bills will be paid.

About the Author: Lesley D. Biswas has written for publications like Woman’s Era, 4^TH D Woman, Kolkata Mirror, Funds for Writers small markets, The Wip and The Sun to name a few. She lives in Kolkata, India.