Finding part-time/casual work writing from home

[jomer20]

Hello,

This is my first time on Mumsnet, so sorry if I don't get this quite right.
I am a former feature writer on The Mirror and a national news agency journalist, hoping to make a little extra money writing press releases, content articles, newsletters etc on a casual "as needed" basis, or more if I find the right employer.
I have signed up with a couple of online freelance sites, but here's my problem. My profile on each is incomplete as I cannot fill in the portfolio section - I can only use material I own the copyright for, but The Mirror still own the copyright on all my previous work - and I am unlikely to win my bids for work while my profile is incomplete. It's a real Catch 22!
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Don't rely on freelance sites. Hit the phones and call your contacts.

I would have agreed, but I haven't worked since my daughter was born 8.5 years ago, and I don't want to get back into that kind of work, interviews, newspapers, magazines etc. I am more looking for copywriting work. And I have put out messages through friends and some former work colleagues.

Then chase them up. Get networking. Call the companies you've written about and ask them if they need any brochures / websites / adverts / newsletters written

I can tell you now that the work will come from someone you know or someone who knows someone that you know. You've got to get yourself out there

Do you know any PR people? Ring them? Tell them what you can do. Go in and see them. Ask to be introduced to any ad agencies they deal with.

Build a sales list of local companies / agencies and cold call them

There's loads you can do but if you wait for those sites to deliver the perfect job to you, you'll have a long wait

PS I speak as someone who has run my own small specialist PR agency for the last 12½ years :)

Of course, and suddenly it all makes sense . Thanks for the tips.

What do you specialise in? And how did you start out?

I specialise in construction (I can see you dropping off :)) and I worked my way up through a few PR agencies from account exec to director. gaining experience. Then set out on my own when I was 31.

And sorry if I've sounded bossy.

not at all - well done you, you've done great.