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
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/
Mar 20, 2024 • 48min
Breaking into lecturing
Welcome to series 13! This season we discuss how to diversify your income stream when working as a freelance journalist. The first episode delves into the world of lecturing and how to break into it. We share tips and experiences with entertainment journalist Jamie Body and lifestyle writer Beth Neil who both teach at a number of universities.The guestsJamie Body https://www.jamiebody.com/https://twitter.com/bodyjamieBeth Neil https://muckrack.com/beth-neilhttps://twitter.com/bethneilResourcesFFJ Video tutorial on breaking into lecturing https://payhip.com/b/7ESqCRecommendationsHolly Geraghty: https://www.huckmag.com/article/the-gaza-breakdancing-crew-helping-children-escape-the-trauma-of-warEimear O'Hagan https://muckrack.com/eimear-ohagan
Jan 24, 2024 • 34min
Arts and Culture Journalism
In the final episode of this series we speak to Precious Adesina about arts and culture journalism. Curating an interest in the arts from an early age, Precious went on to work for The Telegraph before going freelance. She talks about the challenges faced by black journalists, how she champions arts writing and her passion project as a radio presenter.The guesthttps://www.preciousadesina.com/https://twitter.com/precadesinaResourcesYou're the Business by Anna Codrea-Rado https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Business-Successful-Career-Strike/dp/0753558653https://www.google.co.uk/alertsRecommendationCharlie Brinkhurst-Cuff friendship column https://www.stylist.co.uk/relationships/family-friends/friendship-political-beliefs/799772
Jan 17, 2024 • 45min
Motoring Journalism
In the penultimate episode of the series we speak to award-winning motoring journalist Charlotte Vowden. She tells us how inheriting a classic car dramatically changed her career and how she has built a niche in a male dominated industry. She also speaks candidly about calling out sexism and discusses her exciting new challenge of presenting a television series.The guesthttps://twitter.com/charlottevowdenhttps://www.instagram.com/charlottevowden/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-woman-wholl-make-us-all-fall-in-love-with-classic-cars-mjgq00clbhttps://uktvplay.co.uk/shows/repair-lot/watch-onlineRecommendationNew mums miss out for being in touch with work https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-scottish-mail-on-sunday/20231022/282754886379011
Jan 10, 2024 • 36min
Science and Technology Journalism
In our journalism specialism season we speak to science and technology reporter Chris Baraniuk who regularly writes for the BBC, New Scientist, BMJ, the Economist and Wired.Chris discusses how to write about complex issues when you have no scientific background and how he comes up with story ideas like farming fish on the moon.The guesthttps://chrisbaraniuk.com/https://twitter.com/chrisbaraniukFishing on the moon article https://hakaimagazine.com/news/the-plan-to-rear-fish-on-the-moon/Energy poverty article https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj.p2695Young naturalist article https://knowablemagazine.org/article/mind/2021/health-benefits-natureRecommendationDiary of a Young Naturalist https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Young-Naturalist-Dara-McAnulty/dp/1908213795Confessions of a drone warrior https://www.gq.com/story/drone-uav-pilot-assassination
Jan 3, 2024 • 35min
Music Journalism
In the pod this week we chat to Arusa Qureshi about carving out a career in freelance music journalism. Arusa talks about diversity in the industry, transferable skills and life as a night owl covering gigs in Edinburgh.The guesthttps://www.arusaqureshi.com/https://twitter.com/arusaqureshiResourceshttps://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/should-you-work-for-freeRecommendationhttps://ukf.com/words/rave-scenes-edinburgh/35582
Dec 27, 2023 • 34min
Travel Journalism
This week we speak to award-winning travel writer Shafik Meghji about press trips, country specialisms and how to write a guide book. He shares his top tips for breaking into travel journalism and tells us what he's currently working on.The guesthttps://www.shafikmeghji.com/https://twitter.com/ShafikMeghjiCrossed Off the Map: Travels in Bolivia https://www.shafikmeghji.com/#/crossedoffthemap/Resourceshttps://www.wanderlust.co.uk/https://theguardianfoundation.org/programmes/scott-trust-bursaryhttps://www.roughguides.com/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/RecommendationThe Scottish isle where native ponies roam https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211129-the-scottish-isle-where-native-ponies-roam
