Freelancing for Journalists

In the final episode of the series broadcast journalist Andre Lombard talks about stepping into freelance life after working as a news editor for BBC Africa. He talks about the challenges of international reporting as a freelancer and his hopes for the future. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrelombard91/ Journalist.net https://journalist.net/andre.lombard Recommendation The Wem...

In today's pod Vikki White talks about taking the leap into freelance journalism and how her first year is going. She regularly writes for the Sun, Metro, Bella and Chat and moved into freelancing after 13 years in a staff role. Find out how she is making it work. Guest links Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikki-white-8276b746/ Recommendation Donkeys stolen and slaughtered to make wellness...

In series 17 we chat to new freelancers about how they are developing their journalism careers. In today's episode we chat to Tom Matsuda about his range of income streams, why he went freelance and the skills he is learning along the way. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommatsuda/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_tommatsuda/ Resource links The Freelance Writing Network https...

In this week's show we chat to Mariam Amini who is a new freelancer writing about faith, travel and diaspora culture. She talks about starting out as a freelance, how she has built up her portfolio and the challenges of creating financial stability when starting out. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariam-amini/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aminiarchives/ TikTok https://www...

We continue our series delving into the working lives of new freelance journalists finding their way in the first couple of years. In this episode we speak to James Banyard about securing bylines with the Guardian, i and Positive News and setting up his own newsletter Pitch Fail Club to help other freelance writers. Guest Links Website https://jamesbanyardwriter.wordpress.com/ LinkedIn https://www...

In the latest series of the podcast we're digging into what life is like for newbie freelance journalists. We kick off with Emma Truscott who works permanently as a house sitter while pursuing her career as a travel journalist. She tells us about her breakthrough article and what it's like to always be on the move with no fixed abode. Guest links Substack https://wheresems.com/ LinkedIn https://ww...

In this special bonus episode Lily and Emma sit down to do an annual appraisal together. They discuss what went well over the past year and what their ambitions are for 2026. They also scrub out previous goals and chat about what is important to them in the short and long term going forward. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up via the link ab...

Today we speak to the winner of Best Investigation at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025. Will Coldwell's investigation into the death of an offshore worker raised important questions about industry safety and was highlighted by judges as a significance piece of freelance work. Will discussed how to win the trust of sources when reporting sensitive subjects and how to craft long reads to keep th...

We are kick starting the New Year with a fascinating discussion with Harriet Grant, winner of Best Feature in the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards. Harriet impressed judges with her deep dive into the impact of porn algorithms on men. In today's episode she explains how she tackles issues of online child abuse as a freelance journalist and the ethical and legal issues she has to grabble with. Get...

Just in time for New Year's Eve we speak to freelance English wine writer Rebecca Pitcairn. A regional journalist turned wine writer, Rebecca was winner of Best Specialist at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025. She explains how to develop a niche, within a niche and the benefit of hosting your own podcast series. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community....

Today we speak to Yvette Cook who was winner of Best Early Career Journalist at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025. Yvette, a former civil servant, has made a successful shift into travel writing, and is loving her new career. She is brimming with enthusiasm and great advice, including how she secured her award-winning feature on tourism and women in Saudi Arabia. Get your free portfolio today ....

On the podcast today we talk to the first of our Freelance Journalism Awards winners from 2025. Hannah Fearn won Best News Story and Best Opinion Writer for her work on social affairs. In this episode she talks about how she investigated a report from inside a children's prison. She also shares her invaluable tips on how to pitch to opinion desks. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a spe...

In this special bonus episode we chat to Martin Hickman the director of Canbury Press. The independent publisher specialises in working with journalists and publishes a range of non-fiction books. Canbury Press championed Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport - the book written by podcast hosts Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson. In this episode Martin shares trade secrets on how to im...

In the podcast today we dig into the hot topic of using AI as a journalist. We have expert advice from AI Media trainer Harriet Meyer and award-winning freelance health journalist Rosie Taylor. We talk about AI generated content, whether the robots are coming to take our jobs and how to use AI to your advantage. It's a meaty episode! Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for...

In the podcast today we talk to two experts about transcriptions apps. How, where and why to use them, and what some of the pitfalls may be. Sage Lazzaro a freelance tech journalist shares her tips on getting the best out of Otter.ai while Jack Dearlove explains why he developed a transcription tool for Journo Resources. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ comm...

This week we have two returning guests to talk all about the new best practice guidelines for editors working with freelancers. These vital guidelines are a benchmark for freelance journalists to use when discussing rates of pay, contracts, briefs and more, with commissioning editors. Donna Ferguson from Women in Journalism and Jem Collins of Journo Resources discuss the best way to use the guidel...

This week we look at the financial and practical support available for freelance journalists. We speak to Mary Kearns of the Journalists' Charity and Sophie Pacellini of the Rory Peck Trust to understand how they can help freelance journalists and the wide range of grants and workshops they offer. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up...

In today's episode we discuss how to access paywalled content and membership-only resources. We glean useful tips and tricks from Ellie Broughton, an award-winning freelance journalist - and hear about the fascinating work of David Clarke who has spent many years researching in the National Archives. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign...

We're back for series 15 and kick off with a great episode all about using trends to find stories. We get excellent advice from Fleurine Tideman, a freelancer who specialises in trend-driven stories and Malvika Padin who has bags of experience using SEO for a range of national titles. Find out how to distinguish between a fleeting fad and a rising trend, and the best places to find trending topics...

In this special bonus episode Lily and Emma discuss the big secret project they have been working on for the past two years. They have written a new book! It's called ULTRA WOMEN: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport and it combines their passion of endurance sport and advocacy. The book tells the hidden stories of female endurance from the first hunter-gatherers to the modern athletes pushing...

This week we speak to the winner of the Best Broadcast Journalist category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Bhavani Vadde tells us about her work on local television and how she juggles working across multiple platforms. Guest Bhavani Vadde https://x.com/BhavaniVadde Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bhavanivadde/?hl=en YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TwMpw5afyQKSvRIE09jEw Bri...

This week we speak to another double award winner at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2024. Liz Cookman won the best print journalist and best specialist journalist awards for her incredible reporting on the Ukraine war. She talks to us about the difficulty of generating interest in an ongoing conflict and how to ensure your safety as a freelance journalist. Guest Liz Cookman https://x.com/liz_cook...

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. Guest Melissa Parker https://x.com/MelissaKParker1 Resources One of Melissa's award winning pieces https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/mental-heal...

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. Guest Nicola Kelly https://x.com/NicolaKelly https:/...

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. Guest Liz Perkins https://x.com/lizperkinsmedia LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in...