Workshops in London and Birmingham for freelance writers wanting to make more money are helping journalists diversify and survive.
As shrinking commissioning budgets reduce the market for their work, freelance journalists need to constantly adapt to make sure they survive, the course leader has warned.
Bookings are now being taken for two one-day courses which run on Saturday, November 14 in London and on Saturday, November 28 in Birmingham.
They are tailored for journalists wanting to boost copywriting work as well as other income streams from emerging new media, working for commercial clients in either the not for profit sector or with businesses.
Linda Jones, managing director of Passionate Media, in Cannock, Staffordshire, which includes two other former regional journalists, advises freelancers to find new income streams and offers guidance on how these can run alongside writing for newspapers and magazines.
Linda, who is also author of The Greatest Freelance Writers Tips in the World, said; "For a long time, just selling features hasn’t been the best strategy for a blossoming freelance writing career. Lots of journalists successfully balance other writing projects alongside their journalism.
"But sometimes they are still missing out on opportunities that are out there and new ways of boosting their career. For example we are working on events such as book launches, podcasts, blogs and video scripts. A few years ago, I didn’t know that work was out there.
"To really thrive, you need to diversify, think about new and different markets for your work or different types of work such as media training, exploring social media or media relations.
"Once you have identified that work you need to make sure you know how to hang on to it, how to get paid and how to be asked back. These all sound like obvious business lessons but sometimes freelance journalists can be too busy crafting or chasing their latest commission so really useful business systems and procedures are overlooked."
Linda is joined by Passionate Media’s marketing director Carol Garrington, to help freelance writers learn more about dealing with commercial clients, valuing their time and ensuring payment. Templates of correspondence needed to guard against misunderstandings or non-payment are included in the course.
The day-long sessions also include practical exercises on different writing styles, how to find work, ensuring you get paid, ethics and avoiding conflicts of interest, and how to network and build your reputation.
Linda added: "Feedback from previous attendees has been that the templates and instant feedback from practical exercises have been two of the most useful elements of the course. We are passing on lessons learned in six years of running a business and surviving.
"Some of these lessons have been very hard-learned so we want to share them to help freelance journalists avoid some of the problems we faced in the early days.
"As a former regional staff journalist, I know that it can be difficult to know where to turn once you look for work outside of newspapers and magazines but we want to show people there’s a wealth of opportunities alongside pitching editors."
The London workshop is being held at Friends’ House in Euston Road on Saturday, November 14 whilst the Birmingham one is on November 28, at Priory Rooms in Bull Street.
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