Acceptance and rejection: freelance life
Podcasting, journo jobs and tips
From Katie B…
When is it not a busy week - haha! Everything seems to be falling into place from job applications to editing and scheduling podcast content. One lesson I’ve learned so far this month is to not put too much pressure on myself - with hard work and dedication, your plan will hopefully pay off. I’ve attended a lot of training at work, from learning about unconscious bias to LGBTQ+ awareness, I’ve learned a lot about the society we live in and what steps we need to take to start making changes.
As for pitching, I’ve yet to put pen to paper but I am taking some annual leave in March which should give me some writing inspiration. I’ve been reading more in my spare time which is a leap back into the ‘world of words’ as I like to call it.
Also really happy to see that the podcast hit 600 downloads this week! 🎙😍
From Katie W…
I’ve been pitching since September and this month I finally got a ‘YES’, but I also received a lot of no’s. Rejection is normal in this industry, I know it is. But this one came from a Big Broadcasting Company I’ve worked with before and I thought I had it in the bag. Out of all my rejections, this was probably the worst. Not the rejection email, the producer was lovely about it and is still keen to hear from me. I just thought this pitch was an easy one, thinking they take any idea - to an extent.
So this week’s lesson is: Don’t take anything for granted and spend time fleshing out your ideas whether they are articles, podcasts or videos, before pitching. Just because you’ve worked with a company before doesn’t mean you can relax and I now know I need to *bring it* every time. So I’m back to the drawing board for that company, but that’s okay! Because next time I will nail it! *Alexa play Woman by Kesha*
EXCLUSIVE: Series 2, tomorrow *mic drop*
Question of the week
How do you manage stress?!
Ha! Certainly not a pro here, but I don’t find myself getting too worked up anymore. Although for full disclaimer, I’m on furlough so I don’t have a full-time job to juggle but my freelance work is taking up most of my time these days. So here are some tips for when things get a little overwhelming.
Start by writing a list of everything you need to do. Just get it on paper so you can see it clearly.
Prioritise them. Dedicate a certain amount of time to each depending on their priority.
Can you do one of your tasks the week after? Can you give it to someone else to work on? There is no shame in letting go of a task if it eases your stress - you can’t serve from an empty glass.Take regular breaks and reward yourself once you complete each task - or even get halfway. This can be by getting stuck into that series you’ve been wanting to watch, a takeaway, new clothes etc.
Take a day off. The world won’t collapse. You won’t be less of a hard worker. Take a day just for you.
Do the easier stuff in a comfy setting. Sometimes I work on the couch or in bed, it makes the workload feel a little less overwhelming and the soft furnishings are comforting when you just don’t feel like it.
And remember, you’ve got this!
Katie W x
Got a Question of the Week for us? Drop it in the comment box and we’ll get answering in the next newsletter.
NN Reacts - what we love:
Katie B: Clap for the BING BANG BONG…need I say more. I am OBSESSED with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Obsessed. I can’t stop singing it.
Katie W: Darren McGarvey’s Class Wars series aired on BBC Scotland with the second episode airing this week. The clip below discusses the Glaswegian accent, how it has stayed so strong and why it is considered to be “one of the most unattractive accents.” As someone with a very diluted Scottish accent with a minor Welsh influence - often mistaken for English - I am fascinated by accents and local dialects; they are a part of someone and tells their story.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=718791398780028
Who to follow
Gemma Cole is a producer & journalist for ITV Tyne Tees - good to see your hard work is being recognised!
Catriona MacTaggart is a journalist/writer from Glasgow, with bylines in IndiePendent and FGRLS Club, Catriona’s writing skills are one to watch!
Joseph Brassington is co-creator of the Bottled Book, a picture book supporting conversations with children about their feelings.
Ayomikun Adekaiyero is a journalist and social media editor for Press Pad.
Do you want to be a freelance journalist?*
Do you want to break into freelance journalism but have no idea where to start and feel like you need on-hand support? That’s okay! Emma Wilkinson and Dr Lily Canter from Freelancing For Journalists have an exciting course starting in March. How To Be A Succesful Freelance Journalist is a 4-week course that goes a step further than their book and podcast. They work alongside you and teach you how to find paid work, discuss pay, develop story ideas, pitching and branding. For just £150 you can get feedback, mentoring, 1-2-1 with Lily and Emma and advice and support all year round. The best thing is that the tasks can be completed in your own time, so they can work around your studies or current job. This is a fab opportunity!
Song of the Week
Katie W: Hearing about Britney’s court case and documentary, I just can’t stop listening to the absolute icon.
Katie B: Good song to listen to for work/studying!
Journo Jobs and Opps
With the start of a new month, freelance call outs have kept on coming! Unless stated otherwise, everything is paid.
FREELANCE: Conscious Being are looking for disabled creatives/journalists as they now have funding to go to digital print in May. Email chloe@wordsbychloe.com for more information.
FREELANCE: Health and Sex Editor, Katherine from SheKnows is open to pitches for March/April. In her tweet, she shares exactly what she’s looking for, so do take a good look.
FREELANCE: Jack Sommers is open to pitches on work, money and careers for Insider.
FREELANCE: Gal-Dem are starting a new series- Forgotten Diasporas and are accepting pitches until 1 March.
ABERDEEN/DUNDEEN/KIRKCALDY: This one’s exciting! DC Thomson are hiring a Broadcast Journalist. They cover Original 106, Kingdom FM and Pure Radio Scotland. Deadline 26th Feb.
GLASGOW: Football lovers, Kunzel Reid Consultancy are looking for a TV Presenter/Reporter to join their team.
GLASGOW: HRC Recruitment is hiring a marketing assistant. With a salary of £18k, it is entry-level, although they are asking for 1 year’s experience preferred, just go for it! Remote for now.
GLASGOW: Wanting to gain some experience and qualifications? This Digital Marketing Apprenticeship might be the one for you. It also states it’s remote.
NORTH EAST: The Northern Echo are looking for a senior reporter/sports reporter. They’re looking for journalists who can live and breathe digital, understand the pressures of a modern newsroom and can get their teeth into sorts of campaigns and investigations worthy of their ‘distinguished’ history.
NEWCASTLE: Central Employment Agency NE are looking for a Digital PR Account Manager. 28k - 32k, permanent, full-time work.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Kevin Edward Associates are looking for a social media account manager. 20k-26k, permanent, full-time work.
REMOTE: Concept Personnel are recruiting a Digital PR Consultant. 22k-32k per annum, permanent, full-time work. They are a client-focused, well-established digital marketing agency in Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE: Nigel Wright is recruiting a Digital Analytics Manager, specialising in eCommerce. 35k-40k, permanent, full-time work.
REMOTE: Mashable is on the hunt for an Entertainment Digital Fellow. It is paid, $15 p/h and entry-level.
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