The Content Byte

If you're looking for an income stream beyond journalism, content marketing could be just the ticket - it's a form of marketing writing that's designed to generate interest in a brand or its products or services. And it's an easy transition for anyone used to writing features for a living. In this episode, we talk about what content marketing is, how to find this type of work and what it pays.

In today's episode, we talk pitching - why it's important to do it, researching markets before you pitch and the many (many!) different types of content or services you could pitch right now. We also look at how often you need to follow up on your pitches, and the importance of having a system for monitoring your pitching efforts.

Work or no work, there are a number of things you can start doing now to future-proof your freelance business. In this episode, we talk about how to navigate the new landscape by expanding your network, reaching out to clients, upskilling and much more.

It's easy to get bogged down in despair while in lockdown and feeling like your business is in free fall. But taking steps now to sort out your finances and start thinking about getting your business hat on is what freelancers across the board need to do. We talk about how our week has been and how we're adjusting to the new state of play.

This week's events have left people reeling as the world copes with the effects of the coronavirus, or Covid 19. Freelancers in particular feel vulnerable as industries shut down and we all struggle with the uncertainty that has come with this medical crisis. In this week's episode, we share our thoughts about how to cope, how to help your clients – and how you can find work in a time when it feels like the world has gone mad.

For freelance journalists used to long-form writing, taking on social media gigs can give you pause. You might not be sure if you can write bitsy teasers, do hashtag research or check insights on the daily - while others may welcome the change in pace and different style of writing that's required. In this episode, we talk about what can be involved with 'doing social' and how, if you use your time effectively, you can use social media gigs to plug the gaps between long-form work.

If you're an established freelancer, public speaking can be a fantastic way to boost your reputation and position yourself as an expert in your field. It can also help bring more work your way and - kaching! - make money. In this episode, we talk about different kinds of public speaking, what public speaking pays, how to get over 'the fear' of speaking to an audience, and where to find public speaking opportunities.

Writing a good piece of content can be quite different to penning a feature for a magazine. In this episode, we look at how to choose a topic, perform basic keyword research and write a decent headline. Also covered: writing metadata and the call-to-action (CTA) - plus the resources to help you do all of the above!

It's all too easy to embrace a sedentary lifestyle as a freelancer, tapping away on your computer all day. But there are ways to shoehorn movement into your day - and in this episode, we share what works for us and touch on the benefits to your life and your creativity.

A lot of us start freelancing so we never have to darken the door of an office again - but what if you miss working alongside a team? Or crave a regular pay-check? Taking occasional in-house stints as a freelancer CAN be hugely beneficial for your cashflow and your visibility (often bringing you more work or new clients). Of course, we touch on the downsides too and other considerations to think about before taking an in-house gig.