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
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
Dec 20, 2023 • 40min
Court Reporting
We launch our specialism series by chatting to court reporter Charlie Moloney. We discuss how to cover Crown Court trials, how the commissioning process works and just how fast your shorthand needs to be. Charlie also talks about media law and how to challenge your right to report.The guesthttps://www.charliemoloney.com/https://twitter.com/CharlieMoloneyhttps://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2021/news/reporter-wins-court-fight-to-name-victim-of-fraudster-escort/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/chinese-businesswoman-questioned-over-85-000-cash-brought-to-bank-2hn36q0mhhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11042849/Queens-Olympic-skydiving-stunt-double-faces-jail-sentence-attacking-girlfriend.htmlRecommendationhttps://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/judge-wrong-to-block-reporting-of-highly-contentious-family-case/5117456.article
Nov 15, 2023 • 44min
Time Management
In the final episode of the series we discuss the elusive art of time management. How can we get better at managing our time as freelance journalists and what are the best tricks and tools to employ. We seek advice from radio and YouTube presenter / personal trainer / ultra marathon runner Anna Harding and freelance journalist / author / agency co-founder Sally Howard.The guestshttps://www.instagram.com/anna.the.runnerhttps://twitter.com/anna_hardinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-bailey-and-harding-ultra-sound-system/id1691373673https://twitter.com/WanderingSalhttps://twitter.com/indiastoryagentResourceshttps://calendly.com/https://trello.com/https://clockify.me/https://flown.com/https://othership.com/https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-appraise-yourselfRecommendationshttps://www.likethewindmagazine.com/2023/08/24/like-the-wind-37-available-to-order/https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/pay-1k-daughters-nursery-consider-lucky-nightmare-rising-cost-childcare-2627867
Nov 8, 2023 • 44min
What commissioning editors want #2
In the podcast this week we quiz two commissioning editors about what they want to see from freelance journalists. Rebecca Liu, commissioning editor at the Guardian, and Mun-Keat Looi international features editor at the British Medical Journal, discuss the winning formula for pitches plus how to make yourself indispensable as a freelancer. They also chat about pet hates, negotiating rates and top tips for regular commissions. Guestshttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/rebecca-liuhttps://twitter.com/becbecliuliuhttps://munkeatlooi.com/https://twitter.com/munkeatlooiResourcesPitching guide https://payhip.com/b/dcliH'What commissioning editors want' previous podcast episode https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/what-commissioning-editors-wantRecommendationsMy boyfriend lives with my husband https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/sep/22/experience-my-boyfriend-lives-with-my-husbandWhy health experts are fighting to end daylight saving time https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36958725/
Nov 1, 2023 • 38min
Rejection and resilience
In the podcast this week we talk about practical solutions to help cope with rejection as a freelance journalist. How can we become more resilient and turn rejection into positive action? Expert advice is on hand from freelance marine science writer Melissa Hobson and rural affairs and human interest reporter Kate Chapman.The guestsMelissa Hobson www.melissahobson.co.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/mel_pudKate Chapman www.kate-chapman.co.ukTwitter: @_KateChapmanResourcesFFJ podcast on Imposter Syndrome https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/imposter-syndromeArticle on how to accept rejection https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/26/turn-rejection-into-success-share-hashtagRecommendationsAnna Turns Remaking petrochemicals article https://www.theguardian.com/whats-possible-ask-toronto/2023/sep/29/how-researchers-remade-the-worlds-most-widely-used-petrochemical-without-using-fossil-fuelsJason Bittel Forget everything you know about pigeons article https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/pigeons-diversity-doves-photographs
