Freelancing for Journalists
Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 1, 2025 • 37min
Financial support for freelance journalists
This week we look at the financial and practical support available for freelance journalists. We speak to Mary Kearns of the Journalists' Charity and Sophie Pacellini of the Rory Peck Trust to understand how they can help freelance journalists and the wide range of grants and workshops they offer.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!Guestshttps://journalistscharity.org.uk/https://rorypecktrust.org/Resourceshttps://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/best-print-journalist-gabriella-jozwiakRecommendationshttps://www.nytimes.com/by/nanna-heitmannhttps://www.vogue.com/article/on-writing-while-mothering
Sep 24, 2025 • 41min
Accessing paywall and membership-only content
In today's episode we discuss how to access paywalled content and membership-only resources. We glean useful tips and tricks from Ellie Broughton, an award-winning freelance journalist - and hear about the fascinating work of David Clarke who has spent many years researching in the National Archives.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!GuestsEllie Broughton https://www.elliebroughton.net/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliebroughton/https://bsky.app/profile/elliebroughton.bsky.socialDavid Clarke https://x.com/shuclarkehttps://bsky.app/profile/davidwclarke.bsky.socialResourcesLibrary app https://www.borrowbox.com/Library app https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACardPress release portal https://www.eurekalert.org/British Library https://www.bl.uk/Magazine app https://gb.readly.com/Recommendationshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Well-All-Murdered-Our-Beds/dp/1783961333https://www.wearequeeraf.com/conversion-therapy-groups-spend-2m-on-lobbying-and-promoting-practice-in-soaring-costs-since-promise-to-ban-the-abusive-practice/https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/sex-workers-prostitutes-cautions/
Sep 17, 2025 • 45min
Using trends to find stories
We're back for series 15 and kick off with a great episode all about using trends to find stories. We get excellent advice from Fleurine Tideman, a freelancer who specialises in trend-driven stories and Malvika Padin who has bags of experience using SEO for a range of national titles. Find out how to distinguish between a fleeting fad and a rising trend, and the best places to find trending topics before anyone else!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!GuestsFleurine Tideman https://www.instagram.com/fleurinetideman/https://x.com/ByFleurineMalvika Padin https://www.instagram.com/malvika_padin26/https://x.com/malvika_padin26Resourceshttps://www.reddit.com/https://trends.google.co.uk/trends/Recommendationshttps://mylesbianworld.com/2025/06/26/queer-confused-crushing-on-both-the-leads-in-mulan/https://en.edairynews.com/protein-panic-is-making-whole-milk-cool/
May 7, 2025 • 38min
We've Written a Book!
In this special bonus episode Lily and Emma discuss the big secret project they have been working on for the past two years. They have written a new book! It's called ULTRA WOMEN: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport and it combines their passion of endurance sport and advocacy. The book tells the hidden stories of female endurance from the first hunter-gatherers to the modern athletes pushing back boundaries in sport. It also takes a deep dive into the physiological and psychological advantages women hold in super long distances.In the pod episode, producer Maddie Drury quizzes the pair on how they worked together, how they secured a publisher and the challenges of writing a book involving more than 70 interviews.You can order the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultra-Women-Trailblazers-Defying-Sexism/dp/1914487109https://www.canburypress.com/collections/books/products/presale-ultra-women-by-lily-canter-and-emma-wilkinson-isbn-9781914487101
Oct 30, 2024 • 38min
Best Broadcast Journalist: Bhavani Vadde
This week we speak to the winner of the Best Broadcast Journalist category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Bhavani Vadde tells us about her work on local television and how she juggles working across multiple platforms.GuestBhavani Vadde https://x.com/BhavaniVaddeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/bhavanivadde/?hl=enYouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TwMpw5afyQKSvRIE09jEwBrilliant Resilent podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7o48RIkaFh9tFWrMx8QVzcResourcesThis award was sponsored by Women in Journalism a network to support and inspire women in the industry https://www.womeninjournalism.co.uk/Women in Journalism mentoring scheme https://www.womeninjournalism.co.uk/mentoringHow to appraise yourself podcast episode https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/how-to-appraise-yourself
Oct 23, 2024 • 39min
Best Print and Specialist Journalist: Liz Cookman
This week we speak to another double award winner at the Freelance Journalism Awards 2024. Liz Cookman won the best print journalist and best specialist journalist awards for her incredible reporting on the Ukraine war. She talks to us about the difficulty of generating interest in an ongoing conflict and how to ensure your safety as a freelance journalist.GuestLiz Cookman https://x.com/liz_cookmanhttps://linktr.ee/LizcookmanResources One of Liz's award-winning print stories https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/24/inside-occupied-ukraine-best-way-survive-stay-silent/One of Liz's award-winning specialist stories https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/08/31/he-was-tortured-for-standing-up-for-ukraine-now-he-lives-alone-in-a-forestRory Peck Safety and Security Training https://rorypecktrust.org/how-we-help/freelance-resources/safety-and-risk-assessment/taking-safety-training/Both awards were sponsored by the National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch https://www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/index.html
Oct 16, 2024 • 33min
Best Opinion Writer: Melissa Parker
This week in our special award series we chat to Melissa Parker winner of the Best Opinion Writer category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards.Melissa speaks about her shift to opinion writing during the pandemic and her passion for disability rights. GuestMelissa Parker https://x.com/MelissaKParker1ResourcesOne of Melissa's award winning pieces https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/mental-health/disabled-woman-mental-health-impact/827567Recording and transcription tool Otter https://otter.ai/This award was sponsored by workspace tool xTiles https://xtiles.app/en?fp_ref=xtiles25
Oct 9, 2024 • 48min
Best News & Feature Journalist
In today's episode we speak to double award winner Nicola Kelly who scooped up two prizes at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Nicola won the best news story and best feature categories for her work on Turkish border forces, and Deliveroo drivers. We found out how her previous career as a diplomat set her on the path to freelance journalism.GuestNicola Kelly https://x.com/NicolaKellyhttps://www.nicolakelly.com/ResourcesTurkish border force story https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/07/uk-provided-3m-to-turkish-border-forces-to-stop-migrants-foi-revealsDeliveroo feature https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/14/dodging-death-and-immigration-officers-12-hours-as-a-london-fast-food-rider-and-all-for-40The best news story category was sponsored by Birmingham City University media and journalism department https://www.bcu.ac.uk/about-us/schools-and-colleges/subject-specific/media-and-journalismThe best feature category was sponsored by the National Union of Journalists Freelance Branch https://www.londonfreelance.org/lfb/index.html
Oct 2, 2024 • 33min
Best Campaigning Journalist: Liz Perkins
This week we sit down and chat to Liz Perkins, winner of the best campaigning journalist category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Liz led the End This Injustice campaign which called for an overhaul of the family court system. She talks about working on the campaign and the challenges of changing the law.GuestLiz Perkins https://x.com/lizperkinsmediaLinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-perkins-7b667b75/?trk=public_profile_browsemap&originalSubdomain=ukResourcesEnd This Injustice Campaign https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1819475/jade-ward-law-russell-marsh-parent-rightsThis award was sponsored by global journalism network Paydesk https://paydesk.co/
Sep 25, 2024 • 38min
Best Investigation: Sahar Zand
In this week's episode we speak to the winner of the Best Investigation category at the 2024 Freelance Journalism Awards. Sahar Zand won the award for her investigation into interpol's misuse of power which was released as a podcast series for Sky News. She discusses fleeing Iran as a child and her drive to uncover abuses of power, often in hostile environments.GuestSahar Zand https://x.com/SaharZandResourcesDirty Work podcast https://www.saharzand.com/podcast/skynews/dirtyworkSahar's TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/sahar_zand_why_iranians_are_cutting_their_hair_for_women_life_freedom?subtitle=enTalking Travel Writing newsletter https://travelwriting.substack.com/This award was sponsored by market research company Savanta https://savanta.com/
