22 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You spend most of the day researching and writing. Mornings often mean reading sources, checking Google Analytics to see what topics performed, and booking interviews.
Afternoons are for drafting in Google Docs, sending work to editors, and revising based on feedback. You also upload images or layouts using Adobe InDesign or Canva, and track project steps in Asana.
Start with Google Docs for drafting and Google Analytics to understand reader behavior. Editors expect easy-to-share documents and basic traffic sense.
Next learn Adobe InDesign for page layouts, Adobe Illustrator for simple art, and Canva for quick social or promo pieces. Use Adobe Acrobat to make print-ready PDFs and Asana to manage assignments.
Use AI to generate rough outlines, suggest interview questions, or summarize research, but never publish text you haven't checked. AI can invent facts; always verify every claim by checking primary sources or your interview notes.
Keep drafts in Google Docs and mark AI-assisted sections. Follow your editor’s policy and secure copyrights by following standard procedures before publication.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports 47,940 feature writers employed and a median annual wage of $76,910. The lowest tenth earned $44,310, and the top tenth earned $139,870, according to BLS data for 2025.
Use these numbers as a general range; pay depends on employer, experience, and whether you freelance or work staff.
Build a portfolio: publish short features on a blog, local paper, or sites like Medium. Practice researching and interviewing, then draft pieces in Google Docs and save final layouts as PDFs using Adobe Acrobat or Canva.
Pitch story ideas to small outlets, track tasks in Asana, and learn to work with editors. Volunteer or intern to get real edits and bylines.
Feature writers focus on longer, narrative or explanatory pieces that dig into people, trends, or ideas. Copywriters write short persuasive text for ads and product pages, often using slogans and selling points.
News journalists prioritize timely reporting and quick turnaround. Feature writers spend more time on research and shaping material for publication, using systems like Google Docs, InDesign, and editorial feedback loops.
The ability to shape material so readers stay engaged: choosing subjects that interest readers, structuring the piece, and varying tone and language for the medium.
That means strong interviewing and research for factual accuracy, then revising drafts with editors. Tools like Google Docs for collaboration and InDesign for presentation help, but the core skill is clear, well-shaped storytelling.