Diet and Fitness Writers

Employers

Health and fitness writers are employed by newspapers, magazines, and book publishers; advertising agencies and public relations firms; radio and television companies; and journals and newsletters published by business and nonprofit organizations, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Council on Exercise. Other employers include government agencies and Web sites. However, most diet and fitness writers are self-employed, working as freelancers for various magazines, book publishers, and Web sites that focus on health and sports.

The major book and magazine publishers, broadcasting companies, and the federal government account for the concentration of writers in large cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Opportunities with small newspapers, corporations, and professional, technical, and trade publications can be found throughout the country.

Starting Out

A fair amount of experience is required to gain a full-time position as a diet and fitness writer. Most writers start out in entry-level positions. These jobs may be listed with college career services offices, or they may be obtained by applying directly to the employment departments of the individual publishers or broadcasting companies. Graduates who previously participated in internships often have the advantage of knowing someone who can give them a personal recommendation. Classified ads in newspapers and trade journals are another source for jobs. Because of the competition for positions, however, few vacancies are listed with public or private employment agencies.

In most cases, employers will want to see your resume as well as samples of your published writing. These samples are often assembled in an organized portfolio or scrapbook. Bylined or signed articles are more credible (and, as a result, more useful) than stories without an identified source.

Beginning positions as a junior staff writer usually involve research, preparation of rough drafts for part or all of a piece, cataloging, and other related writing tasks. These are generally carried on under the supervision of a more experienced writer or editor.