Freelance Food & Drink Writer

Narcity Media is looking for motivated and experienced Freelance Food & Drink Writers to contribute to our editorial team, with a focus on those based in one of the following markets:

Canada

Toronto
Vancouver
Montreal
Edmonton
Ottawa
Calgary

USA

Texas (Dallas, Austin, Houston)
Georgia (Savannah, Atlanta)
Florida (Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa)
California (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco)
Arizona (Phoenix)

We are seeking storytellers with experience writing SEO-focused food & drink content who are excited to create engaging and relatable stories for Narcity.com. They should be able to engage both locals and readers from outside their market.

The Freelance Writers should be able to cover everything from restaurant lists to reviews and product comparisons, publishing stories like these:

Here's The Cheapest Meal You Can Get At Toronto's New Michelin Guide Restaurants In 2023
You're Not A True Torontonian Unless You've Tried 6 Out Of These 11 Burger Spots
Jessica Alba Went Out For Indian Food In Toronto & Here Are The Dishes That Wowed Her
7 Fast Food Items Every Newcomer To Canada Should Try & There's So Much More Than Poutine
I Compared A Classic Sandwich From Subway To Mr. Sub & There Was No Competition

We’re looking for writers with a strong network of sources in the food & drink sector and a knack for finding unique local or national angles that will resonate with what our Gen Z and Millennial audiences are searching for.

The writers should have a record of publishing original, exclusive, or timely stories while being equally passionate about producing evergreen, search-focused content.

Before pitching, please visit our sites to get a feel for what kind of content we publish! Narcity Canada, Narcity USA

What you’ll do:

Research and write SEO-focused food & drink articles that drive reader engagement and grow Narcity’s audience with compelling packaging
Consistently demonstrate a deep knowledge of what is happening and trending in your market
Maintain a strong network of local sources in the food & drink industries
Deliver on Narcity’s voice and tone and respect SEO, brand and quality guidelines
Ensure all information is properly cited and factually accurate

Your qualifications:

Exceptional verbal and written English skills
Experience writing food & drink content for a digital publisher
An education in Journalism, Communications, or a related field is considered an asset
Knowledge of SEO best practice & experience optimizing content for search
Availability to contribute on a regular basis and deliver to tight deadlines
Familiarity with various style guides, especially AP Style, an asset

Position type & story rates

This is a freelance position that will be compensated on a per-story basis. Rates will be agreed upon when a pitch is accepted. Currently, our rates fall between $50 and $300 CAD depending on the article topic, length, and the amount of work involved.

How to pitch/apply:

Please send an email to pitches@narcitymedia.com with the following:

At least 3 food & drink story ideas targeted towards Narcity readers, including:
Proposed headlines (make sure to familiarize yourself with how we do headlines at Narcity)
A few sentences on each idea, including what makes the article original/unique, who you would speak to, who your sources would be, etc.
At least 3 links to previously published work relevant to Narcity’s coverage
An updated CV or link to your LinkedIn profile
Links to your social media handles to help us get a sense of your voice & personality
Your availability for assignments (how many pieces per week/month are you able to contribute?)
Your willingness/ability to distribute content created for Narcity on your own personal social channels (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)

*P.S. We really, really love PDF CVs. it allows candidates to truly showcase their talents in the format they have chosen to display them. Follow this link to learn how to convert your resume into a PDF.

What happens after I pitch?

If we love your pitches, our Editors will be in touch with you to arrange a paid trial assignment and discuss story structure, word count, deadline, and the fee for your work.

If your trial is successful, you’ll be fully onboarded as a Narcity Freelancer!

If your pitches aren't in line with what we're currently looking for, we’ll let you know, and always aim to provide some feedback.

All submitted work must abide by Narcity’s Editorial Standards.

Equal Access and Opportunity Commitment:

Narcity Media is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage our people to grow and thrive by being their true selves. We are committed to removing systemic barriers in the workplace and building a company that reflects the community that we serve at every level. We are devoted to building a company that is part of the solution and not the problem.

The same goes for our applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at Narcity Media regardless of age, national origin, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, or marital status. If you need any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment or onboarding process, please contact us at people@narcitymedia.com