7 Best Conferences for Freelance Writers in 2024
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Are you considering attending a writers conference in 2024? Did you attend a writers conference in 2023 and are anxious to get more knowledge and networking in? Or are you just dipping your toes into the world of freelance writing and wondering if a writers conference is worth your time?
Wherever you are in your freelance writing career, 2024 holds the promise of multiple conference opportunities which can help you to level up your freelance writing business and avoid many of the common pitfalls that cost writers profits and time. Here I’ve put together a round of conferences to attend along with some great input from fellow freelance writers.
American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference (ASJA Conference)
Location: TBD
Date: TBD
Cost Range: 2022’s Virtual Conference cost $190 for members and $275 for the general public
The ASJA in-person conference takes place in even numbered years, meaning you have to wait two more years if you miss the 2024 ASJA conference. Typically set in or around New York City, each ASJA conference gives writers an opportunity to network with potential clients and editors across multiple days of presentations and workshops. At the time of this writing, the 2024 ASJA conference details, such as exact dates, location and pricing, are still being finalized.
I can, however, give my firsthand account of attending the 2023 ASJA virtual writer’s conference. Not only did I find the presentations and speeches extremely helpful to my writing business, but I was also able to use the conference’s Client Connections feature (available to ASJA members-only ) to gain two new high-quality clients.
Business coach and freelance journalist Ashley Cisneros Mejia won a scholarship to attend last year’s ASJA writer’s conference as well and echoed my thoughts on its value for freelance writers.
“In the past, when I was working as a print journalist, I attended different journalism conferences, but this was my first time attending a conference specifically for professional, freelance writers," said Ashley. "It was so refreshing to share space with other writers who simply ‘get it’ and know what it’s like to work as an independent writer and run a solopreneur business.”
Ashley, who hosts the Talk Freelance To Me Podcast, mentioned to me that she especially enjoyed the sessions related to business development and the panels featuring managing editors and hiring managers at different outlets. “I highly recommend other writers plan to attend a writers conference in 2024 to network and get new ideas for your business.”
👉 Whether you’re planning to attend the 2024 ASJA conference and want a preview of what to expect, or want to leverage what I learned at 2023’s ASJA virtual conference, check out this 2023 ASJA Conference Takeaways PDF that Ashley and I put together.
It’s free and you can download it here!
Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX)
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, OH
Date: May 5-7, 2024
Cost Range: Conference-only tickets are $495, All-Access passes are $895. Digital pass (On-Demand recordings) costs $395.
The CEX conference focuses on creating content to build revenue and audience and is perfect for bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers and others content entrepreneurs. With 23 expert speakers, freelance writers will find such content as “Quitting Your Job to Go Full-Time Content Entrepreneur,” “How to Set Strategic Prices to Drive Revenue with the Smallest of Audiences,” and “Here’s All the Ways I Use AI In my Creator Business” particularly helpful.
CEX Cleveland also leaves ample time for networking with other writers and entrepreneurs. Sometimes mistakenly called the Creator Economy Expo, the CEX conference is a time to get in-person advice from the people you may be already watching on YouTube and Instagram.
That goes for writer Blair Sharp who is looking forward to the networking opportunities. "I'm going to the Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) in 2024 to meet up with some LinkedIn friends and learn more about succeeding in the creator economy. Plus, some of the speakers are people I follow and look up to!"
This one's definitely on my list to consider for 2024!
FinCon
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: October 23-26, 2024
Cost Range: TBD
For freelance writers specializing in all areas of finance, FinCon 2024 brings together the perfect mix of content creator advice through the lens of financial information. With 75-plus sessions, including a specific track for freelancing and entrepreneurship, this conference is typically chock full of tangible advice for writers and creators.
FinCon 2024 promises to be the largest of the brand’s financial conferences. 2023 saw this writing conference held in New Orleans and the FinCon 2024 location promises not to disappoint either, with its setting in the hub of commerce that Atlanta, Georgia has become.
If you can’t wait until fall 2024 to dive into financial content writing advice, there’s still time to get lifetime access to tons of content from FinCon 2023. The Digital Recording is $199 and includes professional recordings from the main stage keynote speakers as well as the Big Ideas presentations and breakout sessions.
SABEW
Location: Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University’s Chicago Campus
Date: April 18-20, 2024
Cost Range: Early Bird prices (through March 13, 2024) Member: $350, Nonmember: $425. After March 13, 2024: Member: $399, Nonmember: $475.
Ready for a writers’ writers conference? SABEW24 builds on the tradition this conference has created of delivering serious skill-building sessions aimed at sharpening both your writing as well as your reporting skills. If you’re a freelance writer who wants to level up your journalism and appeal more to major outlets, this conference is for you.
The SABEW conference 2024 brings together thought-leaders across government, academia and business along with leading journalists to discuss many of the most pressing issues facing the industry and craft today.
Alt Summit Conference
Location: Saguaro Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA
Date: March 17-20, 2024
Cost Range: $745
At first glance Alt Summit 2024 looks like a neon-colored influencer gathering. But that’s just the beginning, this female-focused conference is also the content creator conference that acted as an incubator for Pinterest before it became a household name. And it attracts high-profile speakers from bloggers to coaches, who each have follower counts in the tens to hundreds of thousand across Instagram and TikTok.
Part conference, part networking meetup and part creative inspiration, plan on trying your hand at photography, marketing, videography and animation with a variety of workshops to get your imagination going. Communal craft tables allow for meeting new people in a fun, low pressure environment. If you’re looking to amp up your personal brand, get the latest trends in social media and content while connecting with other women writers and creatives, Alt Summit Palm Springs is just your cup of matcha.
Create and Cultivate Los Angeles 2024
Led by serial entrepreneur and bestselling author of WorkParty, Jacklyn Johnson, the Create and Cultivate conference typically sells out instantly in its ten-plus years of bringing together women creatives looking to get connected, inspired, and further educated. Typically a star-studded conference, past speakers have included Gloria Steinem, Ayesha Curry, Jessica Alba, and Martha Stewart.
Medical Writing and Communication Conference
Location: New Orleans, LA
Date: October 23–26, 2024
Cost Range: TBD
Organized by the American Medical Writers Association, this medical writing conference focuses on a number of key areas in this writing niche, including regulatory writing, scientific publications, health communication, and freelancing, along with the nuts and bolts of writing and editing mechanics. Not only is this a good opportunity for strengthening your skills as a freelance medical writer, but it will give you the chance to network with decision-makers and leaders in this space.
As Janine Kelbach, founder of Write RN and the podcast The Savvy Scribe, points out, "this past year I didn’t go to any freelance writing specific conferences, but, I would recommend any in the health tech industry because here you can get yourself known. It may not have to do with writing, but conferences such as these can give you a client-facing experience, which is equally important as the continuing education aspect."
Do any of these 2024 writers conferences stand out to you? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know where you'll be!