Successful freelance journalism - one day training course

This course on how to be a successful freelance journalist will help anyone thinking of working as a freelance journalist, as well as new freelancers, or those who are already working in the field but want a refresher to up their game. Led by two experienced and in-demand freelance journalists, the course provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to everything freelance journalists need to know, from how to pitch ideas and getting paid work, to building relationships with editors and making sure you get your fee on time.

Course tutors: Olivia Gordon and Johanna Payton
Dates: Saturday 6 July
Time: 10.00-17.00
Venue: LMG Training Centre, Southwark, SE1 8NJ
Number of places: 10
Cost: £200 (+£40 VAT).

Do you want to know how to get off the ground as a freelance writer and build a successful business?

Being a freelance journalist is one of the best jobs in the world. But with more and more journalists going freelance due to the recession, the field is more crowded and competitive than ever. Editors can often count the number of freelancers they trust with commissions on one hand, so how do you become one of the successful few?

From pitching into the void to handling rejection, starting out as a freelancer can be daunting, and inexperienced freelancers are all too easily exploited. This course, which focuses on writing freelance for the print media, will bolster your confidence, giving you all the information you need to make it, from developing your specialisms to building relationships with a range of publications; from dealing with story sources like PRs and charities as a freelancer to the ins and outs of freelance budgeting and payment; from interviewing and writing skills when you are working from home to getting shifts and exploiting additional revenue streams.

This course will provide you with:

• an overview of the day-to-day challenges and skills specific to life as a freelance journalist;
• the practical resources and techniques needed to work successfully long-term as a freelance writer;
• the low-down on how to get started and adjust to running your own business from home;

• invaluable contacts, resources and skills to use to find work, open doors and develop good relationships with publications;
• help with turning ideas into published pieces, from building relationships with press officers to coming up with saleable ideas in a competitive market;
• all the pitching basics - who wants what, typical fees, and how to pitch and place your ideas;
• freelancing tools of the trade: for example, dealing with payments; handling difficult interviewees/editors from a freelance perspective; working productively from home;
• how to use your skills to build a client list that gets you through the lean times.

About Olivia Gordon

Olivia Gordon cut her teeth as a features writer on women's magazine Real. As a successful freelance journalist for the past four years, she has written for the Times, Telegraph, Guardian/Observer, Independent, Mail and Express (in particular for the Sunday supplements), as well as for magazines including Red, She, Grazia, Prima, Woman's Own, Psychologies, Tatler, Essentials, Cosmo Bride, Closer, Real People, Real, First, Shape and New Woman. She is a published author, and as well as training journalists and PRs, she does freelance copywriting and editing for a wide range of clients and the occasional in-house shift on magazines.

About Johanna Payton

Johanna Payton has been freelance since 2002 when she launched her career with regular real life and celebrity features in 'Sneak' and the teen section of BBC Online. Her features have since appeared in national newspapers and magazines including Grazia, Take a Break, Love It!, LOOK, Observer Woman, The Times/Sunday Times Style, Daily Express, The People, Sunday Mirror, My Weekly, More!, Woman’s Own, Practical Parenting, Maternity&Infant and Essentials. A published author, Johanna also writes advertorial features and commercial content for clients including IPC Media, iris nation and Guardian Creative.

Testimonials

"Thanks so much for the fabulous course on Saturday. It was great hearing your experiences and gaining insight into the magazine world. Would definitely like to attend any other courses you offer and would recommend you to anyone." Phoebe Doyle

"Absolutely fantastic at showing the reality of the day-to-day existence of a freelancer. Left the course more confident about ability and also how to proceed." Bim Adewunmi

"A really enjoyable, interesting and informative day run by friendly, positive, unpretentious people" Alex Lemon

"I have 10 years of on-staff experience, but Jo and Olivia have taught me a lot about the 'other side'. I'm really going to put their generous advice into practice." Brooke Le Poer Trench

"Really good - knowledgeable tutors." Penny Allen

"Excellent course." Craig Ryan

"It answered all the questions I've come across over the last year but didn't know who to ask." Helen Croydon

"Really enjoyed it. Thanks for an enjoyable day!" Maxine Frances Roper

"Very useful. Has given me a few avenues I can take to obtain new work. Enjoyed - would recommend." Richard Preen

"I thought that the course was really helpful, very good value for money and I also made some good contacts out of it. I don't know if there is anything else like it around. Also, it was quite inspiring just hearing you speak about all the publications you have written for. Will definitely recommend it to my fellow hacks." Amy Fallon

"I've learnt a lot of things that sound crucial. It's a really enjoyable course, well worth the trip down south!"  Vicky Lamb

"Great course, friendly, informal and worth the fee. Practical and lots of answers to our particular questions." Linda Harrison

"A fantastic learning experience. Helped me understand the most effective ways of pitching ideas, making contacts, and taking articles forward. The tutors are friendly and approachable, with the group setup really allowing each person's voice to be heard and different perspectives to be taken on board. Well worth it." Sam Cane

"I want to say how impressed I was with Jo and the very open and encouraging atmosphere she created within the group. It was great to feel we could ask any question - no matter how silly it seemed - and I felt each member of the group's voice was heard equally, which can be rare in training sessions." Sarah Turley