Freelancing for Journalists

In this episode we talk to about safety and security and what it means for freelance journalists. We speak to Sarah Giaziri, Director of Frontline Freelance Register (FFR), which supports the physical and mental well-being of international freelance journalists around the world. And Michael Bird, a freelance investigative journalist who specialises in reporting on drugs, slave trade and criminal g...

In this episode we speak to two journalists about collaborative journalism.   Tina Lee, head of the ambassador network at Hostwriter, and Suchit Chavez, an investigative reporter based in El Salvador, discuss the pros, cons and practicalities of working in collaborative with other freelance journalists. The guests Tina Lee Twitter @tinaleeinberlin Suchit Chavez Twitter @suchitchavez Reso...

In this episode we look into reporting on gender and identity. Rachael Davies, a freelance journalist who has written extensively on these issues, talks about how everyone should be learning to write without gender or identity based assumptions. And Imara Jones, creator of TransLash Media, a story-telling platform highlighting trans voices across the US, discusses how curiosity and learning can he...

In this episode, we speak to two experts about reporting migration, a topic that raises a number of ethical issues for journalists to confront.  Caitlin Chandler, a journalist covering migration, security and human rights and Georg Gassauer, a migration researcher and journalist based in Austria, discuss how we can do better when telling the stories of migration.  The Guests Caitlin Chan...

In the first episode of series five, we speak to two freelance journalists about solutions journalism, the part of journalism which seeks to offer responses to challenges in society rather than simply reporting the problem.   Julia Hotz, community manager at the Solutions Journalism Network, and Laura Oliver who recently reported on the rise of solutions journalism, discuss how solutions...

We finished off the series with a dualcast special with Northern Natter. We were quizzed by Katie Baggott and Katie Williams about getting your finances sorted when starting your freelance journey. The FFJ intro was edited by Anthony Coote and the main episode was edited by Northern Natter. Resources Northern Natter @NorthernNatter https://anchor.fm/northernnatter https://northernnatter.substack.c...

In this episode we speak to two experts about how best to use TikTok and why journalists need to know about it.  Dr Gavin Allen, digital journalism lecturer at the University of Cardiff, talks about why being an early adopter of new apps can be valuable for employability. And Neve Gordon-Farleigh, TikTok producer for JournoResources, discusses how to get the most out of the app and what kind...

In this episode we speak to two young freelance journalists about the value of finding a mentor. Jessica Morris, who is studying for her NCTJ Diploma and MA in Journalism, talks about how having a great mentor has advanced her career. Asyia Iftikhar, founder of the Young Journalist Community, discusses how to build a great relationship with your mentor.   The Guests Jessica Morris @_Jess...

In this episode we speak to two freelance journalists, one who has no formal journalism training and the other who studied on an NCTJ accredited degree. Anna Turns, a freelance environmental journalist, talks to us about her self-taught route into journalism and how each turn of her career informed her storytelling.  Chandni Sembhi, a freelance digital journalist, who runs So you want to be a...

We speak to two freelance journalists about how to handle and navigate negative feedback, criticism and online abuse.  Jess Evans, fashion journalist, lecturer and founder of the Freelance Sessions talks about how to deal with negativity whilst JR Moores discusses how a band review sparked a Twitter spat with unexpected consequences. Please note this was recorded on March 2nd 2021. The guests...

In the second episode of series 4 we speak to a consumer culture scholar from the Victoria University of Wellington, and the founder and editor of The Indiependent about whether you should ever work for free.  Dr Kathleen Kuehn, senior lecturer in media studies, talks us through the prevalence of  ‘hope-labour’ and Beth Kirkbride, a freelance journalist, and editor at The Indiependent, d...

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. T...

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 Guests Lottie Gross @lotti...

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/ @emptyparker Sooraj Shah https://soorajshah.com/ @Sooraj_Shah Resources W...

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 Guests Lisa Bachelor @lisabachelor Jaimie Kaffash @jkaffash Resources Pitching guidelines https://www.journoresou...

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 Guests Travis Levius @misterlevius https://www.instagram.com/misterlevius Saima Mir @SaimaMir https://saimamir.com/ Resources Journalism Diversity Fund h...

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 Guests Sam Ashoo @samashoo_tv https://www.samashoo.com/ Sarah Leach @sarleach...

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 Sh...

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 guests Donna Ferguson @DonnaLFerg...

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...

In this episode we discuss fighting for fair pay as a freelancer and how to build confidence in order to effectively challenge commissioning editors. We speak to freelance advocate Anna Codrea-Rado who launched the #FairPayForFreelancers campaign last year and award-winning journalist Chris Wheal who took the Guardian to the small claims court. The episode covers payment on publication, late payme...

In this episode we discuss how to work internationally as a freelance journalist. We talk about working in the UK for overseas publications and moving abroad to freelance. Investigative journalist Jessica Bateman tells us about living and working in Greece and Germany, whilst financial expert Pete Carvill explains how he ended up living in Berlin working for publications in the UK and USA. The epi...

In this episode we discuss how to look after your mental health and well being whilst working as a freelance journalist. We talk candidly to Jenny Stallard of newsletter and podcast Freelance Feels and gaming journalist Jake Tucker. Jenny opens up about working through periods of low self-esteem and Jake talks us through his struggles with Asperger syndrome, depression and anxiety. We also discuss...

In this episode we celebrate the launch of our first book Freelancing for Journalists . We talk to freelance journalists and published authors Michelle Rawlins and Frank Shennan about getting your first non-fiction book published and navigating the world of agents, ghost writing and self-publishing. Michelle has recently released Women of Steel which tells the stories of the feisty factory sisters...