Pitch Writer

Can’t believe it’s already been one month since I started working at Business Insider. Now that I’m settled, I am looking to commission some new lifestyle stories for BI!

See below for some topics I’m looking for right now:

- The struggles and surprises of Gen-Z postgrad life
- Traveling with older relatives: Practical tips, unique adventures, why you would/wouldn’t do it again
- First-person experientials about Amtrak train rides, moving from one coast to another, living off the grid, or downsizing 
- Hobbies after the 9-to-5 that help create work-life balance
- Hidden gems from a local/frequent traveler

Rates start at $240 for 600 words // submit via the pitch form below:

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Hi there! 
I'm Megan Forrester, an associate editor at Business Insider looking for freelance writers to work on lifestyle stories like these. Reach out if you have an experience that falls into one of these categories! 

Gen-Z Living: The struggles and surprises of postgrad life:

• I moved back home after graduating from college. No one told me maintaining a social life would be so hard.
• I graduated from college and moved to a new city alone. Despite my best efforts, I'm ready to go home.
• I graduated in May and just went to my first college alumni weekend. Turns out I moved on more than I thought I had.
• I only planned to live with my mom in her one-bedroom apartment for a year. Then, I got laid off.

Hobbies after the 9-to-5: Have you found the perfect after-work hobby? Has a certain hobby helped you deal with job stress and create work-life balance? Did you test out some hobbies? Which worked for you and which didn't?

• My husband and I started doing adult paint-by-numbers to get off our phones. The hobby's benefited us more than we expected.
• I'm a 31-year-old with no hobbies. Here's what I'm doing to reconnect with my creative younger self.
• I'm 7 months postgrad and still job hunting. I'm leaning on my hobbies to help overcome imposter syndrome.

Traveling with older relatives: Practical tips, unique adventures, lessons learned, or why you would/wouldn't do it again:

• I took my 81-year-old grandma on an international trip. It was great, but I wish I'd known more about traveling with an older relative.
• I took my older relatives on a 2-week tour of Italy. It was fun, but I wish we'd done 3 things differently for a better trip.
• My family took our 90-year-old grandma on an RV camping trip. It reminded us to never underestimate older relatives.

Amtrak Adventures: If you have an upcoming cross-country trip or are a frequent Amtrak rider with tips:

• I took a 16-hour Amtrak ride in a roomette. Here are 4 things I wish I packed and 7 I'm glad I brought.
• We took a 53-hour Amtrak train from Chicago to California. It was a great way to see the country, but I'd never do it again.
• We spent 92 hours in an Amtrak roomette. Despite our many struggles and the $1,765 price tag, we'd do it again.
• I've taken over 20 Amtrak routes around the US and Canada. These 5 offered the most stunning views.

Culture Shock: Moving from one coast to another, from the US to another country, big city to small town, or living off the grid:

• I moved from a big city to a small town 4 years ago. It's still not going nearly as well as I'd hoped.
• I moved to rural Colorado for a job that didn't work out. Three years later, I'm still in the area and glad I stayed
• Moving off the grid in rural West Virginia felt isolating at first. With time, I built a strong community.
• I moved to southern France 2 months ago. I speak French, but the culture shock is more than I was expecting.

Downsizing: Moving from a huge home to an apartment, living in a tiny home/van, moving in with parents, giving up belongings:

• We've spent the last 3 years traveling North America in a van. The lifestyle comes with great perks, but it's not always easy.
• After our kids left the nest, we sold our house and bought a townhome. So far, downsizing has more pros than cons.
• My family gave up most of our belongings when we moved from the US to Spain. We're surprised by what we actually miss.
• I moved back into my childhood home at age 40 with my husband and 3 kids. It's been surprisingly nice.

Travel Tips: Favorite spots/hidden gems from a local or someone who has visited a spot countless times:

• I've visited all 20 regions in Italy. Skip the big cities and head to one of these 4 small towns instead.
• My husband and I traveled to 29 states last year. These 4 exceeded my expectations.
• I visit Croatia every year. There are 4 places I think should be on every itinerary.
• I'm an American who's lived in Iceland for 14 years. Here are 6 of the best things to do here.

We want to hear from you! Rates for stories like these begin at $230 for a 600-word piece. If the piece sounds like a good fit, I will be in touch to schedule a call to learn more.