Freelancing for Journalists
Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson
Lifting the lid on freelance life. Experienced freelance journalists Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson guide you through everything you need to know about working for yourself. From where to get work, to how to get paid and everything in between.
Each episode features two guests who have made freelancing a success. From film reviewers, to travel writers to bitcoin experts and current affairs broadcasters.
Packed with trade secrets, top tips and amusing anecdotes this is an unmissable How To guide for anyone interested in freelance journalism life.
Contact us via email freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter @freelancingfor @lilycanter @emmajourno.
You can find out more about FFJ at our dedicated website here: https://freelancingforjournalists.com/
Love the podcast? Then why not buy us a virtual cuppa here: https://ko-fi.com/freelancingforjournalists
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the latest podcast news plus additional resources: https://tinyurl.com/y6j7kx7d
For the full Freelancing for Journalists experience you can purchase our book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freelancing-Journalists-Media-Skills-Canter/dp/0367135558
You can also sign up to our freelancing course here: https://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/freelance-journalism-online-course/s43/a750959/
And check out our webinar training series here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalists
We also offer a range of bespoke training packages under the Freelancing for Journalists brand. Email us for details.
Each episode features two guests who have made freelancing a success. From film reviewers, to travel writers to bitcoin experts and current affairs broadcasters.
Packed with trade secrets, top tips and amusing anecdotes this is an unmissable How To guide for anyone interested in freelance journalism life.
Contact us via email freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter @freelancingfor @lilycanter @emmajourno.
You can find out more about FFJ at our dedicated website here: https://freelancingforjournalists.com/
Love the podcast? Then why not buy us a virtual cuppa here: https://ko-fi.com/freelancingforjournalists
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the latest podcast news plus additional resources: https://tinyurl.com/y6j7kx7d
For the full Freelancing for Journalists experience you can purchase our book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freelancing-Journalists-Media-Skills-Canter/dp/0367135558
You can also sign up to our freelancing course here: https://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/freelance-journalism-online-course/s43/a750959/
And check out our webinar training series here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalists
We also offer a range of bespoke training packages under the Freelancing for Journalists brand. Email us for details.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 16, 2024 • 33min
Best Opinion Writer: Melissa Parker
This week in our special award series we chat to Melissa Parker winner of the Best Opinion Writer category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards.Melissa speaks about her shift to opinion writing during the pandemic and her passion for disability rights. GuestMelissa Parker https://x.com/MelissaKParker1ResourcesOne of Melissa's award winning pieces https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/mental-health/disabled-woman-mental-health-impact/827567Recording and transcription tool Otter https://otter.ai/This award was sponsored by workspace tool xTiles https://xtiles.app/en?fp_ref=xtiles25
Oct 9, 2024 • 48min
Best News & Feature Journalist
In today's episode we speak to double award winner Nicola Kelly who scooped up two prizes at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Nicola won the best news story and best feature categories for her work on Turkish border forces, and Deliveroo drivers. We found out how her previous career as a diplomat set her on the path to freelance journalism.GuestNicola Kelly https://x.com/NicolaKellyhttps://www.nicolakelly.com/ResourcesTurkish border force story https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/07/uk-provided-3m-to-turkish-border-forces-to-stop-migrants-foi-revealsDeliveroo feature https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/14/dodging-death-and-immigration-officers-12-hours-as-a-london-fast-food-rider-and-all-for-40The best news story category was sponsored by Birmingham City University media and journalism department https://www.bcu.ac.uk/about-us/schools-and-colleges/subject-specific/media-and-journalismThe best feature category was sponsored by the National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch https://www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/index.html
Oct 2, 2024 • 33min
Best Campaigning Journalist: Liz Perkins
This week we sit down and chat to Liz Perkins, winner of the best campaigning journalist category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Liz led the End This Injustice campaign which called for an overhaul of the family court system. She talks about working on the campaign and the challenges of changing the law.GuestLiz Perkins https://x.com/lizperkinsmediaLinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-perkins-7b667b75/?trk=public_profile_browsemap&originalSubdomain=ukResourcesEnd This Injustice Campaign https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1819475/jade-ward-law-russell-marsh-parent-rightsThis award was sponsored by global journalism network Paydesk https://paydesk.co/
Sep 25, 2024 • 38min
Best Investigation: Sahar Zand
In this week's episode we speak to the winner of the Best Investigation category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Sahar Zand won the award for her investigation into interpol's misuse of power which was released as a podcast series for Sky News. She discusses fleeing Iran as a child and her drive to uncover abuses of power, often in hostile environments.GuestSahar Zand https://x.com/SaharZandResourcesDirty Work podcast https://www.saharzand.com/podcast/skynews/dirtyworkSahar's TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/sahar_zand_why_iranians_are_cutting_their_hair_for_women_life_freedom?subtitle=enTalking Travel Writing newsletter https://travelwriting.substack.com/This award was sponsored by market research company Savanta https://savanta.com/
Sep 18, 2024 • 37min
Best Early Career Journalist: Hatty Willmoth
In the latest series of the podcast we speak to the winners of the 2024 Freelance Journalist Awards. We start with Hatty Willmoth who won the Best Early Career Journalist category. She wrote a stunning observational feature for The Independent about why some Gen-Z Christians are making the decision to give up all their money and possessions to join a radical group.GuestHatty Willmoth https://x.com/hattywillmothResourcesHatty's award-winning article https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/gen-z-commune-bruderhof-darvell-sussex-celibacy-b2518811.htmlThe award was sponsored by journalism training provider News Associates https://newsassociates.co.uk/Freelancing for Journalists full resource list https://www.freelancingforjournalists.com/
Apr 24, 2024 • 52min
Public Speaking
In the final episode of this series we speak to two freelance journalists who have carved out a side income as public speakers. Award-winning podcaster Hannah Ajala and BBC freelancer Dhruti Shah discuss how they find work as inspirational speakers and take us behind the scenes of the planning process.The guestsHannah Ajala thisishannahajala.comTwitter hannah_ajalaDhruti Shah www.dhrutishah.com/Newsletter: https://haveyouthoughtabout.substack.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/have-you-thought-about/id1678099334ResourcesDruhti's book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bear-Markets-Beyond-bestiary-business/dp/1911622463Hannah's Tedx talk https://www.ted.com/talks/hannah_ajala_how_to_be_positively_delusionalHannah's award-winning podcast Love Janessa podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvq7https://creativeaccess.org.uk/We Are Black Journos https://twitter.com/weblackjournosRecommendationsRevolutionary Acts by Jason Okundaye https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571372218-revolutionary-acts/The F-Rated Podcast https://f-rated.org/f-rated-podcast/
Apr 17, 2024 • 53min
Newsletter publishing
In this week's episode we chat to two freelance journalists / authors who also make a living via self-publishing on Substack and Patreon. Adharanand Finn, award-winning author of Running with the Kenyans, and former Telegraph Women editor Claire Cohen, author of BFF: The Truth About Female Friendship, discuss the appeal of writing direct to an audience and why they decided to set up their own newsletters. GuestsAdharanand Finn https://twitter.com/adharanandhttps://www.instagram.com/thewayoftherunner/https://thewayoftherunner.com/Claire Cohen https://twitter.com/clairecohenhttps://www.instagram.com/clairecohen1/ResourcesBFF: The Truth About Female Friendship https://www.amazon.co.uk/BFF-truth-about-female-friendship/dp/1787635635Adharanand Finn's books https://www.adharanandfinn.com/booksMonday Musings newsletter https://adharanand.substack.com/Adharanand Finn Patreon https://www.patreon.com/adharanandfinnTell Me About It newsletter https://clairecohen.substack.com/FFJ newsletter https://freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/Setting up a newsletter FFJ podcast episode https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/setting-up-a-newsletterRecommendationsFrancesca Specter The Shoulds newsletter https://francescaspecter.substack.com/Devin Kelly Children in the Garden https://longreads.com/2022/01/06/children-in-the-garden-devin-kelly/Rosamund Dean Well Well Well newsletter https://rosamunddean.substack.com/Midlife Mess with Annie Scott https://anniescott.substack.com/
Apr 10, 2024 • 49min
Social media management
Ever wondered what social media management actually is? On the podcast this week we talk to two freelance journalists who also work in social media marketing and SEO writing. Nicole Letts is a lifestyle journalist based in Atlanta who works with clients on Instagram and Britt Jones is a UK freelancer who provides bespoke social media services.Guests Nicole Letts https://www.instagram.com/nicolemelv/?hl=enhttps://muckrack.com/nicole-lettsBritt Jones https://twitter.com/the_brittjoneshttps://linktr.ee/ThebrittjonesResources Social media managers https://www.loomly.com/ https://www.hootsuite.com/Portfolio service https://linktr.ee/Time tracker app https://toggl.com/RecommendationsEmma Rosen The Radical Sabbatical https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radical-Sabbatical-Millennial-Handbook-Quarter/dp/191138273XAmy Beth Wright Texas wine https://muckrack.com/amybethwrightRebecca Deurlein Sandwich King of Chicago https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240303-a-food-network-chefs-favourite-sandwiches-in-his-hometown-of-chicago
Apr 3, 2024 • 40min
Report writing and translation
On the podcast this week we delve into the world of report writing and translation. We speak to experienced health journalist Priya Joi who has written global reports for the World Health Organisation, United Nations and Global Vaccine Alliance, and freelance journalist Judith Zerdin who also works as a Spanish/French to English translator. We discover how to use transferable skills to get freelance work in these two fascinating fields.GuestsPriya Joi https://www.instagram.com/priya.joi/ https://www.priyajoi.com/The Art of Freelance newsletter https://priyajoi.substack.com/Forthcoming book Motherland https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/291691/priya-joiJudith Zerdin https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithzerdinResourcesTime Management podcast https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/time-managementInstitute of Translation and Interpreting https://www.iti.org.uk/membership/individual-membership-categories/associate-membership.htmlRecommendationsLinda Geddes, From lab to plate https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/feb/25/from-lab-to-plate-six-course-menu-featuring-no-kill-dim-sum-steak-fritesAriane Sherine, Why I legally changed my name five times https://arianesherine.substack.com/p/why-i-legally-changed-my-name-five
Mar 27, 2024 • 47min
Copywriting
In the podcast this week we discuss the world of copywriting and how freelance journalists can find work in this field. We chat to journalists Peter Ranscombe and Ella Delancey Jones about the difference between copywriting and content writing, and how to flit between writing for the audience and writing for a client.Guestshttps://www.peter-ranscombe.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-ranscombe/https://twitter.com/ellaluciewriteshttps://linktr.ee/ellaluciehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-delancey-jones-a305514b/Resourceshttps://www.airtasker.com/uk/https://www.sianmeadeswilliams.com/freelance-writing-jobshttps://writeathome.beehiiv.com/https://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/copywriting-a-course-for-freelance-journalists/s43/a554233/Recommendationshttps://twitter.com/marisajbatehttps://daily.sevenfifty.com/the-10-best-non-alcoholic-drinks-according-to-retailers/
