10 Good Reasons to Become a Freelance Journalist

1. You are your own boss. As a freelance writer you’ll enjoy an independence rarely experienced in other professions.
2. Your source of material is endless.
3. You can specialise in your passions.
4. You can work from home. Your costs are miniscule. Your only essential tool is a personal computer.
5. For every story you write, you will learn at least one new fact.
6. For every story you write, you will meet at least one new person.
7. Your hours are flexible. Freelance writing is something you can do part-time. Unless you are out on assignment you can work from home, at the times that best suit you.
8. A hobby can become a career. You can turn any interest you have into profit by being published. And published regularly. Whether it be a sport, craft, hobby or professional experience, readers and editors wish to share your knowledge. If you have a passion for travel, adventure, show business, the arts, health and fitness, food or finance you can turn this into a money-making pursuit. Similarly if you have a professional skill, readers would like to hear from you.
9. There is no such thing as a "typical" freelance writer. In fact, many freelance writers didn't set out deliberately on this course. Instead, they entered the industry because they felt they had something to say - usually about a subject for which they have a passion. School teachers, trades people, nurses, secretaries, business people, IT specialists . . . competent freelance writers come from all fields.
10. Part-time freelance writing is a path to full-time employment as a full-time freelance or staff journalist. If you are looking for employment in the media industry the first question any editor will ask is: "What have you had published previously". This is your most important qualification. Freelance writing quickly builds your all-important portfolio of published material. This can serve as your stepping-stone into mainstream media.

What’s Special about This Course

There are two special benefits to this Course:

1. The “Professional Freelance Journalism” Course does not focus on the theory of freelance writing. The focus is the practical aspects of getting published and being paid for your efforts.
2. The Course is unique in its up-to-the-minute content. The principles of freelance writing are similar the world over. However your tutor will have an in-depth and intimate knowledge of the market for which you wish to write – and what it requires today.

This Course is intended for anyone with an interest in writing and/or photojournalism. It’s also designed for people with no previous writing experience. In fact, we encourage beginning writers. Why? Simply because the world’s media constantly needs new material and new talent.

Remember, there is much more to most publications than simply “news”. In fact, the feature articles, the human interest stories, the interviews, the reviews, the columns and the quirky are the backbone of all publications.

So, where are good stories and photographs likely to be found? The answer is everywhere. Often in the most unlikely places. Editors cannot hope to unearth this interesting new material using staff alone.

Your work, your skills, your hobbies and interests are also great avenues to freelance success. Readers want to share your experiences and specialist knowledge. Even the do-it-yourself home improver has an interesting story to tell to other would-be renovators.