Freelancing for Journalists

In the first episode of series 4 we speak to two experts about how to track down the perfect case study and how to source the best experts. Tom Bettison, account manager at ResponseSource talks us through the journalist enquiry service whilst freelance documentary maker Kate Dooley discusses how she works to develop relationships in order to get that little bit extra during her interviews.The GuestsTom Bettison LinkedIn profileKate Dooley @d00ley https://www.thetalentmanager.com/talent/12425ResourcesFFJ lunchtime webinar series https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalistsHow to become a successful journalist (with additional premium FFJ community)https://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/how-to-become-a-successful-freelance-journalist/s43/a750959/FFJ on Instagram @freelancingforjournalistsFFJ work experience programmehttps://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalists/476446/How to track down case studies for your next article by Lily Canter https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/how-to-track-down-case-studies-for-your-next-article/s2/a793552/Diversity episode- Freelancing for Journalists podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diversity/id1511920418?i=1000501819068Response Sourcehttps://www.responsesource.com/ and their journalistic enquiry service is at https://journalistenquiries.responsesource.com/send/PR & Journo Requests on Twitter @PRJOurnoRequest use #JournoRequest or #PRRequestFreelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The ResponseSource Journalist Enquiry Service which connects you, the journalist, with PRs and organisations to secure expert comment, case studies and information for independent editorial, free of charge. ResponseSource puts you in touch with experts and PR contacts across all sectors, saving you hours of research and helping you meet your deadlines.

In the last episode of series 3 we speak to two newsletter writers / freelance journalists about how they started.Lottie Gross, travel writer and co-author of Talking Travel Writing, discusses how she set up her newsletter during the heart of the pandemic whilst Alistair Lane, author of Write at Home, talks us through the challenges of launching his jobs newsletter.The GuestsLottie Gross @lottiecgross Alastair Lane @AlasdairJMLane ResourcesTalking Travel Writing https://travelwriting.substack.com/subscribeWrite at Home https://writeathome.substack.com/Freelancing for Journalists https://freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/Substack newsletter platform https://substack.com/MailChimp newsletter platform https://mailchimp.com/ The top journo newsletters https://www.journoresources.org.uk/journalism-newsletters-journo-freelance/Freelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

In this episode we quiz two specialist writers about how they carved out their niche.Freelance music journalist Matt Parker discusses how he broke into magazines whilst technology journalist Sooraj Shah tells us how to approach editors when you cover a specialist beat.The Guests Matt Parker https://mattparkerfreelance.com/ @emptyparkerSooraj Shah https://soorajshah.com/ @Sooraj_ShahResourcesWorldwide freelance writing markets https://www.worldwidefreelance.com/Readly magazine database https://gb.readly.com/Journo Resources freelance rate https://www.journoresources.org.uk/freelance-rates/NUJ freelance rates https://www.nuj.org.uk/work/freelance/Creative Money https://www.creativemoney.co.uk/Freelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

In this episode we pick the brains of two commissioning editors to find out exactly what they want from freelance journalists.We discuss pitching techniques, reliability and writing skills with The Observer deputy news editor Lisa Bachelor and Pulse magazine editor Jaimie Kaffash.The GuestsLisa Bachelor @lisabachelorJaimie Kaffash @jkaffashResourcesPitching guidelines https://www.journoresources.org.uk/pitching-guidelines/ClipShare newspaper and magazine archive https://www.nlamediaaccess.com/publishers/publisher-services/clipshare/Readly magazine database https://gb.readly.com/Freelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

In this episode we unpick issues around the lack of diversity in the media and how it impacts freelance journalists. We discuss how to tackle this growing concern with travel writer Travis Levius and freelance journalist and author Saima Mir.The GuestsTravis Levius @misterleviushttps://www.instagram.com/misterleviusSaima Mir @SaimaMirhttps://saimamir.com/ResourcesJournalism Diversity Fund https://www.nctj.com/Journalism-Diversity-FundWomen in Journalism diversity report https://womeninjournalism.co.uk/lack-diversity-british-newsrooms/White Paper: Diversity in Journalism https://www.responsesource.com/blog/whitepaper-diversity-in-journalism/Press Pad: Media Diversity in the UK https://presspad.co.uk/making-the-case-for-diverse-newsrooms/Freelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

In this episode we speak to broadcast journalist Sam Ashoo and former professional netball player Sarah Leach about breaking into a freelance career in sports journalism.We also discuss the impact of Covid-19, the obstacles faced by women reporters in sports and how to negotiate pay rates as a freelance journalist.The GuestsSam Ashoo @samashoo_tvhttps://www.samashoo.com/Sarah Leach @sarleachhttp://www.sarahleach.com/aboutResourcesThe freelance place for new starters in TV: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tv.runnersSky Sports Careers https://careers.sky.com/jobsearchresults/The Athletic Careers https://theathletic.co.uk/careers/Journo resources freelance rate https://www.journoresources.org.uk/freelance-rates/NUJ freelance rates https://www.nuj.org.uk/work/freelance/Freelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

Can you have a successful freelance journalism career outside of London? This week we spoke to two freelancers living outside the capital about how they make it work and the benefits of being based elsewhere in the country.Broadcast journalist Danielle Hayden currently lives in Manchester and is determined to work away from London, whilst print journalist Nicola Slawson wishes she had moved to Shrewsbury years ago.The guestsNicola Slawson @Nicola_Slawsonhttps://thesinglesupplement.substack.com/aboutDanielle Hayden @DaniellehaydResourcesFFJ newsletter https://freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/Medical Journalists Association https://www.mjauk.org/Scott Trust Bursary https://workforus.theguardian.com/index.php/entry-level-opportunities/scott-trust-bursaries/Positive News https://www.positive.news/Write About Your Life https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/write-about-your-life-how-to-pitch-and-find-new-stories-tickets-129277010017Broadcast Journalists Forum https://www.facebook.com/groups/863351437010810People in TV: Northern England https://www.facebook.com/groups/IneedCREWNorthernEnglandFreelancing for Journalists Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelancingforjournalistsNo.1 Freelance Media Women https://www.facebook.com/groups/No1FreelanceMediaWomenNorthern Freelance UK journalists & media group https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=freelance%20northFreelancing for Journalists is sponsored by The Tax Farm, the accountancy service dedicated to freelancers, the self-employed and small business owners.  The right accountant is more than a number cruncher and tax return filer – they’re your business guardian, helping you make better financial decisions.  Talk to John at The Tax Farm today and quote ‘FFJ15’ to claim your exclusive 15% discount.

We joined forces with journalism graduates George Goldberg, Bryony Smith and Oli Hammett, the hosts of podcast Jobs Bored, for this special bonus episode.We talk about the freelance journey, scrutinising CVs and what our alternative jobs might be. Lily and Emma also answer dilemmas from Jobs Bored listeners.

This week we talk about the nagging feeling that freelance journalists get when they doubt their accomplishments or talents and fear being exposed as a fraud.We speak to award-winning journalist Donna Ferguson and entertainment specialist Nick McGrath about acknowledging your achievements, dealing with rejection and putting negative thoughts into perspective.The guestsDonna Ferguson @DonnaLFergusonhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/donna-fergusonNick McGrath @nhmcgrathhttps://www.nick-mcgrath-freelance-journalist.co.uk/ResourcesHow to pitch, get commissioned and make a living interviewing celebrities https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-pitch-get-commissioned-and-make-a-living-interviewing-celebrities-tickets-118077632377 Donna's article: How to accept rejection https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/26/turn-rejection-into-success-share-hashtagMentor schemes: https://womeninjournalism.co.uk/mentoring-2020/https://www.journoresources.org.uk/journalism-mentoring-journalist-mentor/https://journalismassembly.com/assemblyhttps://presspad.co.uk/how-it-works/https://www.journalismdiversityfund.com/

In this episode we discuss the challenges of working as a freelance journalist whilst living with a disability. We talk candidly to freelance writer Lydia Wilkins, who is on the autistic spectrum, and sports broadcaster Gemma Stevenson, who was diagnosed with dystonia following a car accident.Our guests talk passionately about tackling prejudice, overcoming physical and mental barriers and making the most of opportunities.The guests:Lydia WilkinsTwitter: @Journo_LydiaBlog: https://mademoisellewomen.com/Newsletter: https://lydia.substack.com/Sign up - with paid option: https://lydia.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=web&utm_source=subscribe-widget&utm_content=347386Special offer for podcast listeners: Get 20% off for a year (offer ends September 2) https://lydia.substack.com/cd313585 Gemma StevensonTwitter: @gstevensonsportWebsite: https://www.gemmalouisestevenson.com/The Constant Cheerleader podcast: https://www.gemmalouisestevenson.com/podcastResources:Access to Work policy: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-workAccess to Work advisor handbook: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877171/access-to-work-staff-guide.pdfDisability rights under 2010 Equality Act: https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/rightsNCTJ Journalism Diversity Fund: https://www.journalismdiversityfund.com/Thomas Read Bursary:http://www.thomasread.org/Ableism: https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/11/what-does-being-ableist-mean-12221655/National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/Dystonia UK: https://www.dystonia.org.uk/