Pursuing the stories that matter most to you and setting your own hours are some of the biggest perks of freelance journalism, which now accounts for 34% of the U.S. news workforce, according to the Pew Research Center. With traditional newsrooms facing significant layoffs and budget cuts, this number is likely to grow.
However, this freedom and flexibility come with uncertainty and extra responsibilities. It's not just about managing inconsistent income or the pressure of securing new assignments – which can feel like a full-time job in itself. On top of producing high-quality work to stay in business, you must set fair rates that cover your time and expenses, build your network of contacts and solve practical reporting challenges – all on your own. Essentially, you're juggling different editorial and administrative roles at once.
Whether you're trying to figure out what to charge for an article, seeking funding for an investigative project or improving your workflow to save time, there are many free resources that can make your freelance life easier.
(1) Rate guides
With limited transparency on industry fees, many freelancers – especially those new to the field – risk being paid below standard rates or not enough to reflect their time and effort. Journo Resources' Freelance Rates database directly addresses this problem. It tracks freelancers' compensations across outlets and formats so that you can make more informed decisions about your pitches.
Similarly, the National Union of Journalists publishes its list of reported rates and its Freelance Fees Guide, recommending minimum fees for various assignments – from writing to photography and broadcasting – in the U.K.
(2) Negotiation tips
Learning to discuss money confidently is essential when working independently. The European Journalism Centre’s free webinar, Negotiation for Freelance Journalists, offers practical advice on setting rates and managing negotiations as collaborative opportunities – even when the budget is tight.
For example, have you ever considered that if a client can't meet your asked fee, you could reduce the project scope or request resale rights to earn more later? The recorded training and presentation cover everything from overcoming the fear of contract talks to building lasting business relationships.
(3) Grant writing
Grants, which provide funding to support specific projects, can be a vital resource for freelancers looking to take on more in-depth or investigative work.
Poynter’s Grant Writing for Journalists is a self-paced online course that guides journalists and fact-checkers through the complex grant application process. It breaks down technical language, expectations, and proposal elements like content, monitoring and evaluation and budget. While it's designed for big and small organizations, its examples, interactive exercises, and clear do's and don'ts are also highly useful for freelancers.
(4) Diverse experts
Only 24% of experts featured in the news are women, as reported by the latest Global Media Monitoring Project. Working to change that, the Women's Media Center’s SheSource connects journalists with highly qualified women across various fields. In Europe, ENWE – where I volunteer as a team member – has built a network offering access to thousands of women specialists.
Addressing systemic inequalities in media representation goes beyond achieving gender balance. To amplify more underrepresented voices, here is a list of BIPOC professional associations you can reach out to for interviews, along with a comprehensive list of diverse talent databases.
(5) Professional guidance
For advice from industry insiders, the award-winning Freelancing for Journalists podcast is a must-listen – at any career stage. Launched in 2020 by freelance journalists and part-time university lecturers Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson, the podcast is part of a larger project that includes their book of the same name and a growing online community.
The two co-founders host sessions with editors and experts to go deep into practical details, from time management to niche areas such as newsletter publishing or breaking into specialized beats like court reporting and music journalism.
The two episodes focused on what commissioning editors want will tell you what you might not have considered to make your pitches stand out.
(6) Curated tools
Newsletters are a great way to learn about new tools and stay updated on trends, saving you hours of research. Wonder Tools by Jeremy Caplan, the director of teaching and learning at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, delivers weekly recommendations on resources and websites to boost your productivity and storytelling.
Tools for Reporters, founded in 2012 by Dan Oshinsky and now published by Samantha Sunne, sends biweekly tips on tech and apps for journalists, ranging from web optimization add-ons to AI features that track misinformation on social media.
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