Henry Stockdale’s Four Tips for Jumping Into Full-Time Freelance Journalism | Winter Spectacular 2021
Last year was a big one for me. Having worked across the insurance industry for four years, I finally jumped full-time into the only career I’ve ever enjoyed, journalism. For many, taking that leap mid-pandemic would’ve been unthinkable. For me, it was a necessity. Having started writing in 2010, I took a break during university, and for four years after graduating. But I didn’t put it behind me, I was simply planning my return! Slowly, I began rebuilding my portfolio, working for free at [UNNAMED PC GAMING SITE] and come 2020, I landed my first paid gig. Like most people’s first paid gig, it didn’t pay brilliantly, but it opened further opportunities.
Maybe time for a career change?
Helped by some fantastic editors, I refined my approach, built up key by-lines and by November 2020, I quit my insurance job. A risky gamble, no doubt, but I truly believe it has paid off beautifully. I’ve since become a News Editor and while you probably weren’t after my life story, my point is this: making that jump isn’t done lightly. Even for experienced writers, finding a stable job is tough and many of us have to work freelance for a long time, including myself. So, if you’re looking to become a full-time freelance journalist, here’s my advice on what to keep in mind when starting.
Oh look it is my bank account rolling into Black Friday.
1. Put Some Savings Aside
The hard truth about freelancing is that some months are worse than others. You’ve not found the right feature pitch, contacts stopped replying, that promised interview was put on hold, you get the picture. Should that happen, you’re suddenly in the red, and we’ve all got bills to pay. Before taking the leap into this world, I’d suggest creating a savings fund specifically for these bad months, topping it up where feasible during the good ones. Initially, I’d suggest putting aside two months’ worth of bills if possible, minimising that damage.
2. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Leaning on one byline is common practice in this industry. Since leaving insurance, I’ve had three shift jobs that provided the bulk of my income during a specific month, but I still worked elsewhere, sometimes to top that up. I’m not saying stretch yourself as thin as that, because you will burnout (this is a lesson I have learnt the hard way), but I’d recommend building up a handful of bylines before going full-time. By establishing relationships with new editors, you suddenly have some options to fall back on should work unexpectedly disappear. And while this isn’t guaranteed, those relationships can sometimes lead into better opportunities.
Hop to it!
Me, emailing an editor “just to bump this invoice again”:
3. Take Care with Invoicing
As a writer, it is common to fear maths, accounting and numbers in general. That is why invoicing is the bane of many freelancers’ existence but sadly, it’s a crucial aspect. You’re not on a company payroll that pays you in a timely manner, the buck stops with you to keep your affairs in order. Unless there’s a specific agreement otherwise, invoice at the first opportunity upon completing any work to avoid potential repercussions. Chase editors if necessary, clarify the payment terms before taking on work, and keep those invoices organised. That may seem obvious, sure, but when it comes to sorting out taxes – I use an accountant but not everyone can afford this - you’ll be thankful later.
Frank gets it.
4. Don’t Overcommit to Jobs
You’d be surprised how many professionals fall foul of this. It’s tempting to take on multiple jobs when the pay looks good or it’s a game you’ve been looking forward to, but poor planning will be your undoing. Suddenly, you’ve got five deadlines to hit in a week and three 30 hour RPGs to juggle. Reviews are especially deadly, given how long some games take, so manage your time. Granted, games often get delayed, meaning the best-laid plans don’t always work out but try not to take on too many projects at once. Work out how long each job will reasonably take, make sure that pay is worth your time, and more importantly, look after yourself.
Burnout isn’t worth it.
