Freelancing for Journalists

Hosted by Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson

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Episodes

117

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Lifting the lid on freelance life. Experienced freelance journalists Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson guide you through everything you need to know about working for yourself. From where to get work, to how to get paid and everything in between. Each episode features two guests who have made freelancing a success. From film reviewers, to travel writers to bitcoin experts and current affairs broadcasters. Packed with trade secrets, top tips and amusing anecdotes this is an unmissable How To guide for anyone interested in freelance journalism life. Contact us via email freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter @freelancingfor @lilycanter @emmajourno. You can find out more about FFJ at our dedicated website here: https://freelancingforjournalists.com/ Love the podcast? Then why not buy us a virtual cuppa here: https://ko-fi.com/freelancingforjournalists Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get all the latest podcast news plus additional resources: https://tinyurl.com/y6j7kx7d For the full Freelancing for Journalists experience you can purchase our book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freelancing-Journalists-Media-Skills-Canter/dp/0367135558 You can also sign up to our freelancing course here: https://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/freelance-journalism-online-course/s43/a750959/ And check out our webinar training series here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalists We also offer a range of bespoke training packages under the Freelancing for Journalists brand. Email us for details.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 7, 202639 min

Andre Lombard

In the final episode of the series broadcast journalist Andre Lombard talks about stepping into freelance life after working as a news editor for BBC Africa. He talks about the challenges of international reporting as a freelancer and his hopes for the future. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrelombard91/ Journalist.net https://journalist.net/andre.lombard Recommendation The Wembley Point mystery: who was the woman who jumped to her death? https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/27/the-wembley-point-mystery-who-was-the-woman-who-jumped-to-her-death

September 30, 202632 min

Vikki White

In today's pod Vikki White talks about taking the leap into freelance journalism and how her first year is going. She regularly writes for the Sun, Metro, Bella and Chat and moved into freelancing after 13 years in a staff role. Find out how she is making it work. Guest links Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikki-white-8276b746/ Recommendation Donkeys stolen and slaughtered to make wellness products on Amazon https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/donkeys-sold-killed-wellness-amazon-37202392

September 23, 202642 min

Tom Matsuda

In series 17 we chat to new freelancers about how they are developing their journalism careers. In today's episode we chat to Tom Matsuda about his range of income streams, why he went freelance and the skills he is learning along the way. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommatsuda/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_tommatsuda/ Resource links The Freelance Writing Network https://www.thefreelancewritingnetwork.com/ Study Hall https://members.studyhall.xyz/sign-up Recommendation Can I make more money working for myself? https://www.ft.com/content/02076f10-8da0-4e42-8e6c-9bf2d37fa952

September 16, 202642 min

Mariam Amini

In this week's show we chat to Mariam Amini who is a new freelancer writing about faith, travel and diaspora culture. She talks about starting out as a freelance, how she has built up her portfolio and the challenges of creating financial stability when starting out. Guest links LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariam-amini/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aminiarchives/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@aminiarchives/video/7355413066328182048 Recommendation To be transgender and religious is to live a life of tension https://hyphenonline.com/2025/03/18/muslim-transgender-religion-faith-tension-parents-reaction/

September 9, 202634 min

James Banyard

We continue our series delving into the working lives of new freelance journalists finding their way in the first couple of years. In this episode we speak to James Banyard about securing bylines with the Guardian, i and Positive News and setting up his own newsletter Pitch Fail Club to help other freelance writers. Guest Links Website https://jamesbanyardwriter.wordpress.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-banyard-446612290/ Pitch Fail Club newsletter https://pitchfailclub.substack.com/about Resource links Freelancing for Journalists webinars https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freelancingforjournalists Freelancing for Journalists workshops https://payhip.com/FreelancingforJournalists Recommendation Phones on the dance floor: where do we go from here? https://djmag.com/features/phones-dancefloor-where-do-we-go-here

September 2, 202633 min

Emma Truscott

In the latest series of the podcast we're digging into what life is like for newbie freelance journalists. We kick off with Emma Truscott who works permanently as a house sitter while pursuing her career as a travel journalist. She tells us about her breakthrough article and what it's like to always be on the move with no fixed abode. Guest links Substack https://wheresems.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-truscott/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wheres_ems/ Resource links Travel Writing Academy https://www.thetravelwritingacademy.com/masterclass Trusted Housesitters https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/ Recommendation I travelled 2,160 miles from London to Lanzarote without flying https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/canary-islands/train-travel-london-to-lanzarote/

January 21, 202644 min

Annual Appraisal 2025

In this special bonus episode Lily and Emma sit down to do an annual appraisal together. They discuss what went well over the past year and what their ambitions are for 2026. They also scrub out previous goals and chat about what is important to them in the short and long term going forward. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up via the link above to any paid plan for 20% off for the first year! Our previous appraisal episodes: 2021: https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-appraise-yourself 2022: https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-appraise-yourself-part2 2024: https://freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/time-for-a-self-appraisal

January 14, 202635 min

Best Investigation Will Coldwell

Today we speak to the winner of Best Investigation at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025. Will Coldwell's investigation into the death of an offshore worker raised important questions about industry safety and was highlighted by judges as a significance piece of freelance work. Will discussed how to win the trust of sources when reporting sensitive subjects and how to craft long reads to keep the reader engaged to the very end. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up via the link above to any paid plan for 20% off for the first year! Guest willcoldwell.com @willcoldwell.bsky.social https://www.economist.com/1843/2021/09/22/petrol-pints-and-pasta-meet-one-of-the-lorry-drivers-plugging-britains-shortages

January 7, 202630 min

Best Feature Harriet Grant

We are kick starting the New Year with a fascinating discussion with Harriet Grant, winner of Best Feature in the 2025 Freelance Journalism Awards. Harriet impressed judges with her deep dive into the impact of porn algorithms on men. In today's episode she explains how she tackles issues of online child abuse as a freelance journalist and the ethical and legal issues she has to grabble with. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up via the link above to any paid plan for 20% off for the first year! Guest Harriet Grant https://www.linkedin.com/in/harriet-grant-5a797b25/ Resources Harriet’s deep dive into the impact of porn algorithms on young people was praised for its research and persistence Safer Lives https://www.saferlives.com/

December 31, 202536 min

Best Specialist Journalist Rebecca Pitcairn

Just in time for New Year's Eve we speak to freelance English wine writer Rebecca Pitcairn. A regional journalist turned wine writer, Rebecca was winner of Best Specialist at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2025. She explains how to develop a niche, within a niche and the benefit of hosting your own podcast series. Get your free portfolio today . We also have a special offer for our FFJ community. Sign up via the link above to any paid plan for 20% off for the first year! Guest Rebecca Pitcairn https://www.instagram.com/theenglishwinediaries/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-pitcairn-a0546127/ Resources Rebecca impressed judges with her passion and quality reporting on the UK’s wine industry . She also hosts “ The English Wine Diaries ” podcast.