If you want to be a magazine writer, you’re going to need a portfolio of published work. If you haven’t been published, start writing for the Web – it’s the easiest place to get published these days. If you can’t get a paid writing gig, then write for free – but make sure that the pieces you write have your byline. You can also write for your own website or blog; just make sure that you’re impeccable with your writing style and grammar, and avoid ranting about controversial topics.
Whether you have a fistful of clippings or only have a few links, it’s important to get your portfolio online. Keep in mind that content on the Web is constantly changing, so don’t rely on links to your articles. If you have Web content in your portfolio, take a screen shot of your piece and turn it into a PDF file. The same holds true for your print articles. Editors don’t want to receive a stack of copied clippings; they want to be able to see your work with a few mouse clicks. So turn your portfolio into a set of PDFs and put them on your website.