Freelancing for Journalists

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 @DonnaLFerguson

https://www.theguardian.com/profile/donna-ferguson

Nick McGrath @nhmcgrath

https://www.nick-mcgrath-freelance-journalist.co.uk/

Resources

How 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-hashtag

Mentor schemes: https://womeninjournalism.co.uk/mentoring-2020/

https://www.journoresources.org.uk/journalism-mentoring-journalist-mentor/

https://journalismassembly.com/assembly

https://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 Wilkins

Twitter: @Journo_Lydia

Blog: 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=347386

Special offer for podcast listeners: Get 20% off for a year (offer ends September 2) https://lydia.substack.com/cd313585 

Gemma Stevenson

Twitter: @gstevensonsport

Website: https://www.gemmalouisestevenson.com/

The Constant Cheerleader podcast: https://www.gemmalouisestevenson.com/podcast

Resources:

Access to Work policy: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Access to Work advisor handbook: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877171/access-to-work-staff-guide.pdf

Disability rights under 2010 Equality Act: https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/rights

NCTJ 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/

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 payment fees, negotiation and how to equip yourself with the knowledge to fight back against low pay rates and slow payment systems.

The guests:

Anna Codrea-Rado

Twitter: @annacod

Website: https://www.annacodrearado.com/about

Newsletter: https://theprofessionalfreelancer.substack.com/

Is This Working? podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/is-this-working/id1473508626

Chris Wheal

Twitter: @whealie

Editorial services: https://www.whealassociates.com/

Blog: https://www.chriswheal.com/

Resources:

#FairPayForFreelancers open letter https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BvCJbsaLVlNkgCPCqiyBxnqHtFincmCyvIOvRiw5LOo/edit

The Freelancer Pay Gap project https://theprofessionalfreelancer.substack.com/p/the-freelancer-pay-gap

Freelancer Pay Gap data https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1GajDnwJHgWDzNnaZRmi8eoZtaV5A8NZqLV8l_aKJf08/edit?usp=sharing

Who Pays Writers? rates http://whopayswriters.com/#/results

Can Pay, Won't Pay Freelance Journalists https://www.facebook.com/groups/614195525419319

Late payment legislation https://www.gov.uk/late-commercial-payments-interest-debt-recovery

Payment on publication in-depth article https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/how-payment-on-publication-is-making-life-a-misery-for-many-freelance-journalists/

How to get paid on time guide https://www.chriswheal.com/how-to/get-paid/

Accountancy software https://www.xero.com/uk/, https://quickbooks.intuit.com/uk/

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 episode covers managing international transactions, cultural barriers and coronavirus travel restrictions plus the impact of Brexit on working across Europe.

The Guests:

Jessica Bateman @JessicaBateman

Pete Carvill @Pete_Carvill

Resources:

Summer of Solidarity project https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu/

Funding for investigative journalism in Europe https://www.journalismfund.eu/

International payments https://transferwise.com/

Business payment platforms https://stripe.com/ and https://www.revolut.com/

Global Investigative Journalism Network https://gijn.org/

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 strategies for motivation and how being freelance can be a huge advantage when it comes to managing our mental load.

The Guests:

Jenny Stallard @JStallard_Media

https://www.freelancefeels.com/

Jake Tucker @_JakeTucker

Resources:

Freelance Feels podcast https://www.freelancefeels.com/podcast

No.1 Freelance Media Women https://www.facebook.com/groups/No1FreelanceMediaWomen

Freelancing for Journalists https://www.facebook.com/groups/2526455974236281

Society of Freelance Journalists https://freelancesoc.org/

Freelance Heroes https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelanceheroes

Doing It For The Kids https://www.facebook.com/groups/DIFTK

A Few Good Hacks https://www.facebook.com/groups/213675832507619

Mind mental health support https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

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 who helped to win the Second World War. Frank is co-author of Rebels in Paradise, the inside story of the battle for Celtic Football Club together with a range of other non-fiction books.

The guests:

Michelle Rawlins @Mrawlins1974

Frank (Francis) Shennan @francisshennan

Resources:

Crowd funding publisher https://unbound.com/

Facebook group - The No 1 author ladies buddy agency https://www.facebook.com/groups/629905610420201

Publishers Marketplace https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/

How to get published guide https://getpublished.penguin.co.uk/

In this episode we talk to Jem Collins, director of Journo Resources and recent journalism graduate Connor Stringer about how to get started as a freelance journalist.

We discuss keeping lists, contacting the tax office and creating email addresses - plus much more! if you want to get started in freelance journalism but are not sure how to get organised, then this is the perfect episode for you.

*This was recorded online so there is the occasional dip in sound quality.

The guests:

Jem Collins @Jem_Collins

Connor Stringer @connor_stringer

Resources: 

Freelancing for Journalists published by Routledge  https://www.routledge.com/Freelancing-for-Journalists/Canter-Wilkinson/p/book/9780367135553

Journo Resources https://www.journoresources.org.uk

List of pitching guidelines: https://www.journoresources.org.uk/pitching-guidelines/

Trello https://trello.com

The Professional Freelancer Newsletter by Anna Codrea-Rado  https://theprofessionalfreelancer.substack.com 

Press Pad https://presspad.co.uk

EJC Freelance Assembly https://journalismassembly.com/assembly

Journalism.co.uk https://www.journalism.co.uk

Young Journalist Community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/330881737884535

Wired pitching guidelines https://www.wired.co.uk/article/contributor-guidelines

HMRC register as self-employed https://www.gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return/register-if-youre-self-employed

In this episode we speak to LinkedIn experts James Upsher and Linda Aitchison about how freelance journalists can make the most of this professional networking platform.

We discuss building brand reputation, promoting your work and finding case studies on LinkedIn, a platform that often mystifies hosts Lily and Emma.

If you would like to support the podcast series then head over to our Kofi page to buy us a cuppa: https://ko-fi.com/freelancingforjournalists

The Guests 

James Upsher @JamesUpsher

Linda Aitchison @LindaAitchison https://www.lindaaitchison.co.uk/

Resources

LinkedIn for Journalists: https://news.linkedin.com/media-resources/linkedin-for-journalists

In our pilot episode we speak to Sheffield Hallam University lecturers and freelance journalists David Clarke and Clare Jenkins about what happens when you become the story. 

David Clarke is an expert in folklore and supernatural phenomena whilst Clare Jenkins is an experienced BBC radio broadcaster focusing on human interest stories. 

We discuss the ethical dilemmas around interviewing friends and family and how much information to give away when you producing a personal story. The episode also looks becoming a talking head and how to handle media enquiries. 

Find out more about freelancing by joining our Facebook community.

The Guests 

Clare Jenkins: http://www.pennineproductions.co.uk/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarejenkins13/?originalSubdomain=uk 

Twitter: @clarejenkins13

David Clarke: https://drdavidclarke.co.uk/ 

@shuclarke

Articles that Lily mentions: 

Sweet Banning story https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/parenting/my-children-have-never-eaten-sweets-call-me-mean---but-im-winnin/ 

‘Why couples should never go running together’ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2018/jan/04/why-couples-should-never-go-running-together 

Meningitis Vaccine https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/should-i-have-my-child-vaccinated-for-meningitis-b/ 

Love Money Profile https://www.lovemoney.com/profile/352759/lily-canter 

Samantha Brick https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2124246/Samantha-Brick-downsides-looking-pretty-Why-women-hate-beautiful.html  

Articles that Emma mentions: 

Big Babies https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5898235/Why-British-babies-getting-bigger.html 

Websites/Articles Clare mentions: 

A Casual Clearance, Clare’s Documentary on clearing out her mother’s home https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07wpf5n 

Melanie Reid https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/melanie-reid?page=1 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=melanie+reid+the+world+i+fell+out+of&adgrpid=79461903778&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwf7izdLG5wIVjbTtCh2s8AmNEAAYAiAAEgKHuPD_BwE&hvadid=381579673326&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007064&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12543101933394328236&hvtargid=kwd-645203849747&hydadcr=28213_1821156&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_5b5dww24zx_e 

Bryony Gordon https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/bryony-gordon/ 

Liz Jones https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/columnist-1009327/Liz-Jones-Diary-The-Mail-Sunday.html 

Websites/Articles David mentions: 

NUJ Freelance Fees Guide http://www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide/index.php?language=en&country=UK§ion=Welcome#general 

UFO Hoax https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/c3riimpact/david-clarke-bbc-insideout-ufo/?doing_wp_cron=1554430824.0856170654296875000000

Pre-order the Freelancing for Journalists book here

SHU students who helped produce this podcast:

Guest liaison manager - Kendra Nichols

Guest photography - Anton Velchev

Desk driver - Anurag Dasgupta

Show notes - Isabella Tarrant 

Studio producer - Ben Dodd 

Music researcher - Ben Dodd

Website designer - Alexandra Ventress

Social media - Joel Johnson, Ella Hodson 

In this episode we speak to radio documentary maker Perminder Khatkar and journalist-copywriter-cooking teacher Javaria Akbar about branding and supplementary income streams. 

We discuss how to identify as a brand and the importance of social media, websites and email signatures. We also talk about alternative income streams and how to reach out to contacts to secure teaching, writing and other forms of freelance work.

Discuss branding and much more in our Facebook community.

The Guests 

Perminder Khatkar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perminder-khatkar-00262118/ 

Twitter: @Perminder_k 

Javaria Akbar: https://javaria-akbar.com 

https://muckrack.com/javaria-akbar/articles 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Honestly-Strong-Opinions-Smart/dp/1509887199 

Twitter: @javaria_akbar   

Resources

Email signature website - https://www.wisestamp.com/ 

Journalism web designer - https://www.journosites.co.uk/ 

Life coach – https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/person/karen-foy  

 MuckRack - https://muckrack.com

Pre-order the Freelancing for Journalists book here 

SHU students who helped produce this podcast:

Guest liaison manager - Kendra Nichols

Guest photography - Anton Velchev

Desk driver - Anurag Dasgupta

Show notes - Isabella Tarrant

Studio producer - Ben Dodd

Music researcher - Ben Dodd

Website designer - Alexandra Ventress

Social media - Joel Johnson, Ella Hodson