Client Connections
You could find your next best client. Or a client seeking their next best writer could find you.
Virtual Client Connections
Virtual Client Connections
Client Connections’ little sister, Virtual Client Connections, offers even more opportunities to land new clients.
Upcoming VCC Event
Thursday, November 12 & Friday, November 13
12:00-3:00 p.m. E.T.
Registration opens to professional members on Thursday, October 29 at Noon ET.
The registration link will be published here.
Registration fee: $30
Virtual Client Connections (VCC) is a smaller version of the Client Connections events held during our annual meetings, either in-person or virtually. VCC is held a few times a year, virtually, and attracts clients, editors, and publications who are looking for professional freelance writers.
Recent Virtual Client Connections participants include: AARP, Mother Jones, Johns Hopkins Magazine, Psychology Today, Men’s Health, Washington Post Creative Group (WP’s brand page), and National Wildlife Federation.
Only professional members of ASJA can register for VCC. During a series of fast-paced, 9-minute Zoom or phone meetings, registered members pitch story ideas or their writing expertise to digital and print editors, and content managers.
VCC Details
Like Client Connections, a list of participating industry representatives is published well in advance of each VCC event, and registered professional members are given the opportunity to select those clients with whom they’d like to meet. Meetings are assigned first-come, first-serve.
Associate, student, and retired members are not eligible to participate in Virtual Client Connections events.
Registered Clients
(Check back for newly added clients)
Johns Hopkins Magazine
Category that describes your organization: Johns Hopkins University
Category that describes your organization: Project-based fees that roughly range from $.75 to $1.50 per word depending upon length of piece and narrative type.
Range of fees you pay your writers: Fees vary based on final deliverables; on average it’s likely close to $1/wd
Types of projects you typically assign: We’re typically looking for what we call Forefront features, more timely news feature that range from 700 to 1,000-words in length. And also more traditional features that range from 2000 to 4,000-word length. The Forefront stories will have a three-week or so turnaround on first drafts. Features will be a month or so, longer if multiple sources.
Areas of expertise: We are looking for writers who have written for magazines, both national and alumni. A writer for us should have a narrative flare, and be willing to dig deep into subjects. Most of our stories require some science-writing background, but we also cover the humanities.
Are you looking for pitches? Yes. We are open to pitches for all departments. Please see more here https://hub.jhu.edu/magazine/about/
KingFish + Partners
Category that describes your organization: Full service marketing agency with a focus on content marketing.
Category that describes your organization: Project-based fees that roughly range from $.75 to $1.50 per word depending upon length of piece and narrative type.
Range of fees you pay your writers: Fees vary based on final deliverables; on average it’s likely close to $1/wd
Types of projects you typically assign: Articles of 1,000-3,000; Ebooks of 2,000-4,000; infographics; video scripts; marketing copywriting for digital campaigns
Areas of expertise: Topics are most typically financial services, healthcare, technology, but many other categories are covered as well.
Are you looking for pitches? No
Nifty50Plus
Category that describes your organization: Digital publication
Range of fees you pay your writers: Flat fee: $125 to $200 per story for ~800 words
Types of projects you typically assign: Articles for news publication, focusing on profiles of people
Areas of expertise: We are looking for writers that have a desire to write profiles on extraordinary people who are 50 years old or older doing extraordinary activities or endeavors.
Are you looking for pitches? Yes, would love pitches on people 50 years old and older who are doing amazing things. You can see some examples on my site, https://nifty50plus.com/, in the “You’re Too Old For That” section of my site.
Professor Media Group
Category that describes your organization: Digital publications
Range of fees you pay your writers: For Alcohol Professor, Cheese Professor, Chocolate Professor and Olive Oil Professor we pay a flat fee of $200 for articles of 500-1000+ words and $350 for articles that include original recipes (featuring cheese, chocolate or olive oil). There is a little bit of wiggle room for credentialed subject matter experts.
Types of projects you typically assign: Please see our detailed guidelines: https://docs.google.com/document/d/184CmgAgg0AwSrW-bPipxPQSESu_NixDUK0WPXmUOt_M/edit?tab=t.0
Areas of expertise: Though not required, we are always looking for writers who are subject matter experts in beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, cheese, chocolate and olive oil. Our publications cover a wide range of stories, so please review each of the outlets you are interested in pitching. We publish travel stories, reviews, science, news, culture, etc. all related to the publication topic (alcohol, cheese, chocolate, olive oil).
Are you looking for pitches? You are welcome to pitch ideas if you have reviewed our guidelines.
Additional info: Please visit our websites to learn more about our content and voice. https://www.alcoholprofessor.com, https://www.cheeseprofessor.com https://www.thechocolateprofessor.com https://oliveoilprofessor.com
Williams College (magazine and online storytelling hub)
Category that describes your organization: Higher education communications office
Range of fees you pay your writers: Pay rate is based on complexity of the article, amount of research and number of sources but usually calculates to $1 to $2 per word for magazine features and longer stories and 75 cents to $1 for single-source web stories.
Types of projects you typically assign: Commissioned articles range in length from 250 words to 3,000 and may include sidebars and captions. Turnaround is generally a week or two for simple, short stories and up to three or four weeks for a more complex, feature-length article. We also accept pitches that are related to the college’s strategic communications priorities.
Areas of expertise: Our storytelling reflects the diversity of experience and expertise of the students, faculty, staff and alumni who constitute the Williams College community. Current areas of focus include the arts and athletics, but the breadth of recent subject matter includes space travel, dark matter, how students spend their gap years, college access, the endowment and an innovative, collaborative dance production about place history.
Are you looking for pitches? Yes. we are happy to take pitches for articles that reflect the strategic communications priorities listed below. The priorities aren’t meant to dictate coverage. Nor is it necessary to force any of the themes into stories. But they are a useful tool when thinking about story direction and emphasis, as well as for interviewing sources.
Academic Excellence: Student and faculty research (especially STEM/Data Science); Mentoring; Tutorials; Learning by doing/experiential learning; Winter Study; Grants and Fellowships; Global Scholars; Rice Center for Teaching
Athletics as a Cornerstone of the Williams Experience: The integrated scholar-athlete experience; wellbeing as a foundation; vibrant campus life; the coach as teacher (our coaches are assistant professors); the power of the win; community for everyone through club sports, intramurals, physical education and recreation as well as varsity sports. Note that the college is anticipating a major fundraising initiative for a comprehensive refresh of our athletic facilities.
True Affordability: All-Grant Financial Aid Program; Summer opportunities (including internships); Williams’ position as a national leader in access and affordability; Economics of financial aid (role of the endowment, fundraising, net tuition). This is another fundraising priority.
Non-traditional students (Veterans and Transfer Students): Partnerships with military, community colleges, and associated organizations; Financial aid and programs/services for non-traditional students
Life Beyond the Classroom: Residential life; Student-faculty-staff interactions (e.g., Lyceum Dinners); athletics (see above)
WCMA (Arts at Williams): Teaching and Learning with Art; Mining and Diversifying the Collection; Nurturing the Cross-Disciplinary Arts; Partnering across the Cultural Ecosystem; Influencing the Future of the Arts; Advancing Infrastructure and Sustainability. Construction of the museum’s first purpose-built home is currently underway.
Cross-cutting commitments of the above: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access; and Sustainability
FAQ
General Questions
How often does ASJA host Virtual Client Connections?
Virtual Client Connection events are held twice a year, in July and November.
Who can participate in Virtual Client Connections?
All ASJA professional members who are currently in good standing are eligible to register.
Who are the clients participating in VCC?
Top editors from general interest and trade publications, editors from university/college alumni magazines as well as assigning editors at content agencies. Additionally, representatives from communications departments at hospitals, associations and non-profits. After each client has registered for an upcoming VCC, the name of the outlet (not the individual) will be listed on ASJA’s VCC page.
How can I volunteer for VCC?
We are always looking for members who would like to volunteer to recruit clients and act as host liaisons during VCC. Please email asjaoffice@asja.org to volunteer.
Registration and Signup
How does registration work for VCC?
Registration for VCC meetings runs exactly like Client Connections, ASJA’s signature pitch event held annually in conjunction with the ASJA conference.
Once you have registered for VCC, you will be asked to rank your top choices for client meetings during the lottery-phase which begins after VCC registration has ended. The VCC lottery will run for three days (Note: this is a shorter time frame than CC). You will only be able to register for VCC if you are a professional member in good standing.
What if I miss the registration period?
We strongly encourage all ASJA professional members take note of the registration dates, which will be announced well in advance. If you miss the registration period, you cannot register.
When choosing clients for the lottery, is there a process I should follow?
Before filling out the lottery form, read carefully through the information provided by each registered client to make sure you’re a good fit; pay attention to the pay rate.
We suggest ranking your choices before filling out the lottery form; you will not be able to go back into the lottery to change your choices. Note: The number of clients you can choose in the lottery will depend on how many clients are participating in VCC. That information will be provided on the lottery form as well as in ASJA correspondence — from social media posts to the ASJA Weekly.
Why are there some low-paying publications invited to this event?
What’s low-paying for one writer is adequate for another. Additionally, consider the long-game: Established writers may decide to pursue lower-paying gigs if they are in their wheelhouse with a low “PITA” factor which might make the rate worthwhile. Additionally, some established writers will accept lower rates if an assignment allows them to branch out into a new specialty or an interesting topic. It’s also worth noting that clients change jobs and positions frequently; talented clients at low-paying publications often go on to positions that may offer better pay. Networking with a client from a low-paying outlet could pay off in the long run.
Can VCC events include more clients?
VCC has a lot of moving parts and requires many volunteers. We have learned the hard way that our team can successfully manage VCC with 8 to 10 clients. When we try to include more clients, it becomes a frustrating experience for clients, volunteers and members. From time to time, we do have more clients, but that is not typical.
Before and During VCC
What happens during a VCC meeting?
Each client may be seeking a different outcome from a VCC meeting, so make sure to read about the goals each individual client has for a meeting. Some clients may simply want to learn a little bit about you, your background and your writing expertise; others may want to hear specific pitches. For clients seeking pitches, please come prepared with fully formed story ideas that are easy to deliver during a 9-minute meeting.
How will I meet with clients?
You will meet with clients on Zoom. You will receive a Zoom link from ASJA a few days before VCC. Save this link in your calendar. A few minutes before your assigned time you will join Zoom and wait to be “transported” into a breakout room where you will meet one-on-one with the client. When your 9-minute meeting is over, you will be transported out of the meeting.
How long are the meetings?
Meetings last 9-minutes. Time limits are strictly enforced by ASJA. At the 9-minute mark, even if you are in mid-sentence, you will be transported out of the meeting.
How should I prepare?
If a client has asked for pitches, write up a few story ideas and practice them so you can deliver them clearly and concisely leaving time for the client to offer up their POV.
If the client simply wants to get to know you, prepare a short bio and, perhaps, a list of a few clients that showcase your writing history and expertise.
Please be prepared to turn your camera on for your meeting. Make sure to find a quiet room for your VCC meeting(s); do not take a meeting in a car or public place — it’s unprofessional and will not only reflect poorly on you but also on ASJA.
What if there are technical problems?
In the case of technical problems, the client will call the telephone number you provided during sign up and your meeting will take place over the phone. An ASJA volunteer will also be available, via email or phone, during your appointment to answer questions and offer assistance.
What happens if a client is unexpectedly unavailable at the appointed time?
In the event that a client is late for your meeting, we ask for your patience, grace, and courtesy. If a client misses most of your meeting or the meeting in its entirety, the VCC chairs will arrange for an alternative time for you to connect.
What do I do if I cannot make my scheduled appointment?
It’s okay if a client is late for a meeting, but it’s not okay if you are. Of course we understand that emergencies happen. If that’s the case, please contact the VCC chairs or the ASJA office as soon as possible. If you cancel an appointment after it’s been assigned, you may not reschedule.
Why did the writer’s fee change between the client’s written description and our meeting?
Clients fill out the descriptions about their publications and their pay rates themselves; we do not interview or fact-check them. Sometimes a publication changes its pay rates or clients mistype their information. Mistakes happen, and situations change. Both are out of our control.
Is there a code of conduct governing the event?
Yes. By participating in Virtual Client Connections, you agree to act in a courteous and professional manner. You are representing yourself and ASJA.
Note, too, that you agree to not contact directly any participating VCC client before the date of the event. This undermines ASJA’s credibility with our client participants.
Learn more
Virtual Pitch Slams
Pitch Slams are exciting opportunities to share your ideas with editors or agents—and learn effective pitching techniques.