Working Freelance

kittensoft1984

Hi,

Not really sure where this goes so feel free to move it.

I am a qualified journalist who hasnt used my qualifaction ever!

I have decided that i want to start using it now....so my question is...what is the best way to get into journalism?

Any freelancers out there???

cheers
Kitten

Phlann

Can you get in touch with the head of the school you qualified from or any lecturers you got on well with? They might be able to help you out.

Otherwise the best thing to do is to start networking. You're in Galway? Contact people at the Advertiser, Independent, City Tribune etc and ask if they need any freelancers (they'll want to see sample work before they let you do anything so have some prepared - court reports, hard-news stories, reviews, features of 800-1200 words). Generally, if you write a good story and send it in most places will take it, provided it doesn't overlap with what their staff writers are doing.

Actually... check your PMs in a second, I have the email address of a Media Group that I know for a fact are looking for freelancers right now. Also, they're Dublin-based so I don't know if they're looking for freelancers from other parts of the country but it can't hurt to check.

BaconZombie

For all your invoicing and tax work I say the best first thing to do it sign up with CXC .


IIRC they had 10% but handle all the billing, vat and tax issues for you plus you can claim the 10% charge back from you taxes so win win.

kittensoft1984

Phlann wrote: »

Can you get in touch with the head of the school you qualified from or any lecturers you got on well with? They might be able to help you out.

Otherwise the best thing to do is to start networking. You're in Galway? Contact people at the Advertiser, Independent, City Tribune etc and ask if they need any freelancers (they'll want to see sample work before they let you do anything so have some prepared - court reports, hard-news stories, reviews, features of 800-1200 words). Generally, if you write a good story and send it in most places will take it, provided it doesn't overlap with what their staff writers are doing.

Actually... check your PMs in a second, I have the email address of a Media Group that I know for a fact are looking for freelancers right now. Also, they're Dublin-based so I don't know if they're looking for freelancers from other parts of the country but it can't hurt to check.

Excellent! thanks for that.

Im currently in Galway but moving back to Dublin soon.

Why do so many people do this?! Go and work hard for a degree/qualification like this & not use it:(! I remember when I worked for Ulster Bank there were people doing the same job as me for the same wages and they had degrees in all sorts of stuff!

Good luck doing something with it anyway OP. Its about time

Phlann

kittensoft1984 wrote: »

Excellent! thanks for that.

Im currently in Galway but moving back to Dublin soon.

Cool, good luck with it.

I'm actually getting a wee bit bored of it. Working in your own time and mostly from home (if you choose) sounds great but after a month and a half of it I'm going a bit stir-crazy.

connundrum

Did the subject of actually getting work never arise during your degree?

I would have thought that it'd be a relatively important topic to cover..

Xavi6

The easiest way is to start local. If you've no actual prior experience then a 'big name' isn't going to look at you, unless you can use nepotism to your advantage.

Drop me a PM if you want some specifics.

Dudess

Deleted User wrote: »

Why do so many people do this?! Go and work hard for a degree/qualification like this & not use it

I studied journalism because I was interested in it. I didn't get a job out of it (well I freelanced in radio for a while) but no regrets. I work for a university now and it recognises that I have qualifications - doesn't matter what they're in - which is reflected in my pay
Fact is, there are a good few journalism graduates now - DCU (undergrad and postgrad), DIT (undergrad and postgrad), NUIG, Griffith College, Ballyfermot, Coláiste Dhulaigh, overseas colleges... and not enough jobs to meet that demand. But that's not enough of a reason to not study something if you're really interested in it - imo anyway.

Moved to News/Media where threads like this regularly crop up and where there are people floating around with the best advice.

Rockiemalt

be prepared to work crappy hours, weekends and bank holidays when you start out...if you are interested in radio radiowaves.fm has a good job section