Freelancing for Journalists

In this episode we discuss the emotive subject of finances and getting paid. Showbiz reporter Ed Dyson and sex and relationships writer Charlotte Grainger share their advice on how to organise invoices, chase late payments and whether it's necessary to get an accountant. 

We also discuss the controversial topics of payment on publication, working for free and how to negotiate fair rates. 

Discuss finances and much more in our Facebook community.

The Guests 

Ed Dyson: https://unitedqueendompodc.wixsite.com/website 

https://open.spotify.com/show/0TDLmRw2eSeYCtODoZxjyR 

Twitter: @edwarddyson205 @UnitedQueendom1 

Charlotte Grainger: https://charlottegrainger.contently.com/ 

 Twitter: @LottieBetty 

Resources

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

 NUJ Freelance Rates: https://www.nuj.org.uk/work/freelance/ 

Journo Resources Salary Guide: https://www.journoresources.org.uk/salaries/ 

Freelance Tax help: https://www.crunch.co.uk/knowledge/tax/freelancing-side-tax-implications/ 

Things Ed mentions: 

Articles he’s written for The Sun: https://www.pressrush.com/author/5774980/ed-dyson 

Facebook groups for Journalists: https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/10-facebook-groups-for-journalists-to-join/s2/a740420/ 

Freelance Journalists Christmas Drinks: https://www.nuj.org.uk/tags/christmas/ 

Receipt Bank  

Things Charlotte mentions: 

Rush Fees: https://www.freelancermap.com/freelancer-tips/12384-how-to-use-freelance-rush-fees 

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/uk/home 

The #WhatToCharge  

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 discuss how to make great contacts and the best online and offline places for networking. Broadcast journalist Adam Hancock and technology writer Umar Hassan share their advice on using social media platforms and attending events to build up a pool of regular commissions.

The Guests

Adam Hancock: linkedin.com/in/adam-hancock-0b437597

Twitter: @adamhankers

Umar Hassan: https://umarthejourno.com/

Twitter: @umarhassan96

Resources

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

http://birminghampressclub.com/

Guild of Heath Writers: https://www.healthwriters.com/

Googledoc: https://www.google.co.uk/docs/about/

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 our second episode we discuss how to write the perfect pitch and track down the correct commissioning editor to send it to. We hear from experienced real life journalist Jill Foster and fintech writer Tom Rodgers who share some of their pitching tricks.

*Please note this episode was recorded via Zoom during the COVID-19 lock down which may affect the sound quality. This was the final episode to be recorded but is not the final episode in the series.

The Guests

Jill Foster: https://www.jillfoster.co.uk/

Twitter: @JournalistJill

Tom Rodgers: https://www.tomrodgersmedia.co.uk/

Twitter: @TomRodgers4

Resources

Journo Resources pitching guidelines: https://www.journoresources.org.uk/pitch-us/

The Overtake pitching guidelines: https://theovertake.com/write-for-us/

How to write the perfect pitch: https://womeninjournalism.co.uk/wij-workshop-how-to-write-the-perfect-pitch/

Pitching course: https://www.museflash.academy/shop/self-paced-cracking-pitches

Women In Journalism Mentoring Scheme: https://womeninjournalism.co.uk/mentoring-2018/

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

Pre-order the Freelancing for Journalists book here 

In our launch episode we speak to travel writer David Whitley and film journalist Tasha Jagger about where to the find the freelance work.

We discuss the importance of working for a range of media outlets, how to branch out beyond traditional media and the unexpected places where journalism work can be found.

The Hosts

Lily Canter: https://www.lilycanter.co.uk/ 

Twitter: @lilycanter 

Emma Wilkinson: https://emmawilkinson.net/ 

Twitter: @Emmajourno 

Things Lily mentions:

South China Morning Post - https://www.scmp.com/author/lily-canter 

The Sun, My First Home - https://www.lilycanter.co.uk/money/the-sun-my-first-home/ 

The Guests

Tasha Jagger: https://tashajagger.contently.com/ 

Twitter: @tashajagger_ 

David Whitley: http://www.grumpytraveller.com/ 

Twitter: @mrdavidwhitley  

Things Tasha mentions:

Little White Lies, Female Composer - https://lwlies.com/articles/why-are-there-so-few-female-film-composers/ 

Digital Spy - https://www.digitalspy.com/ 

Organic Film - http://www.organicfilm.com.tr/ 

Things David mentions: 

National Geographic Article - https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2019/12/frequent-flyer-what-do-when-theres-airline-strike 

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

Freelance journalists have experienced many challenges over the past six weeks during the UK coronavirus lock down. In this episode we take stock of the positive ways in which freelancers have adapted to their new working life.

We talk to Punteha Van Terheyden, who recently launched digital platform Lacuna Voices, and music journalist John Earls about humanity, slowing down and sending nice emails.

In our second coronavirus special we see how freelance journalists are coping two weeks into UK lock down. The episode features parenting and career specialist Georgina Fuller, and, charity and Fantasy Football journalist Joe Lepper. They talk us through working at home whilst homeschooling, understanding the government's self-employment financial aid packages and why now is the time to get networking.

Episode notes:

Georgie's website: https://www.georginafuller.co.uk/

Joe's website: http://www.newsandfeatures.co.uk/

Coronavirus petition to support small limited companies: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/310515

NUJ coronavirus guidance for freelancers: https://www.nuj.org.uk/documents/coronavirus--advice-for-freelances/

Self-employment income support scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Citizens Advice self-employment guidance: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/coronavirus-if-youre-self-employed/

In this special episode freelance journalists Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson examine how coronavrius is impacting the world of self-employed journalism.

We discuss revenue streams, diversification and making the most of a difficult situation.

Special guests include running specialist Kate Carter and personal finance journalist Faith Archer.

Episode Notes:

Here are links to all of the people and resources mentioned in the show.

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

https://www.annacodrearado.com/newsletter

https://twitter.com/katehelencarter

https://twitter.com/MuchMore_Less

https://jackmonroe.bigcartel.com/

https://twitter.com/AnyaMeyerowitz

https://twitter.com/lilycanter

https://twitter.com/emmajourno