Lockdown easing & workload increasing

journo jobs, tips, podcasts

Apr 08, 2021

From Katie B…

Snow and highs of 21 degrees within a week of itself, that’s English weather for you! This week, I’ve taken some time out to explore the seaside and go walking. I’ve secured two days of freelancing next week before I start my new job & I’ve been completing online training courses and CPD qualifications in the meantime. Busy, busy, busy! I’ve also been listening to the Happy Place podcast while writing and planning content for Series 3 of the podcast.

From Katie W…

We never got those scorching temps here in Stirling. What I did have though is snow, a freezing flat and the electric blanket cranked up high. At the start of the week, I was actually very anxious at how quiet my freelance work had become. My pitches were getting ghosted, jobs were getting rejected and suddenly I had the fear of having to crawl back to my boss and ask him to organise full-time hours when the pub reopens. But by Tuesday I got some work, along with 4 jobs I really want to apply for this week, so now I’m busy.

But I do love a reason to get out of bed that just isn’t coffee and the cat. I have figured I work better with short bursts of attention. So instead of spending a whole day on one project, I need to break the day up and section-time each task. Does anyone else do this? I’ll be honest, I’m looking forward to 26th April when beer gardens and cafes in Scotland open and I can hang out with my mates, but the reality of going back to pub work is setting in. I’ve grown very used to this furlough and freelance life…

You can listen to our latest episode here:

*Our goal is to get to 1000 listens by 5th May - we’re so close💫*

Journo tip of the week

Let’s chat ‘finding inspiration for your content’…

Finding inspiration, especially during lockdown has been challenging for some - so here are a few tips to find your groove.

1 - Look around: It’s so easy to endlessly scroll through blogs and social media that we forget to look up now and then. If social media is a source of inspiration for you, why not think about changing up who you follow or follow different trends?

2 - Look at your industry from a new angle: The most successful content brings something to the table that isn’t necessarily being offered anywhere else, but coming up with new ideas is tricky when there’s so much focus on content creation. Why not carve out 10 minutes on a morning or after work to find articles/content that are truly innovative and to ponder trends in your industry.

3 - Surround yourself with creativity: Marketing and creativity podcasts can be a really good way to get your creativity flowing; Ted Radio Hour and Unmistakable Creative are some of our favourites.

Who to follow

Ellie Colton - Ellie presents Wednesday & Thursday evenings on BBC Sheffield and is co-founder of the Gem Collective

Empoword Journalism - a woman-led project that looks to unite and empower journalists

Richard Easterbrook - PR/social media, writer and contributor to @wisemensay podcast

Grace Balfour-Harle is the Editorial Assistant at The Beano, which is made in Dundee!

NN reacts

Katie W: Curfew for cats?!? Yes, you read that right! This week I listened to BBC Radio 4’s programme about cat behaviours (can’t believe I wasn’t asked to help make it with my crazy cat obsession but okay) and in Australia, they are pushing for curfews for cats to stop them hunting wildlife. My little Shelby has never brought anything home but I can’t help but feel it’s in a cat’s nature to hunt. It’s all part of the circle of life. Listen to it here.

Katie B: I’ve really enjoyed reading articles featured in Positive News this week. They’ve just published their latest magazine!

Song of the week

Katie W:

Katie B:

Jobs and opportunities:

FREELANCE: Aurelia are taking unique pitches around Ramadan, click the link there for more info. Get in touch with Shahed: shahed@aureliamagazine.com.

FREELANCE: The Coven Magazine are accepting pitches for their second issue. Their pitching guidelines can be found here.

FREELANCE: Tara Joshi from Gal-Dem is looking for more writers for opinions, love letters to albums + artists, insights into trends & global scenes, untold histories from music communities.

REMOTE: Population Matters are looking for a Social Media Intern for their charity working globally to achieve a sustainable future for people and planet. This is a part-time role for 8 hours per week, £10 an hour, 3 months initially with a potential to extend. Send your CV and covering letter (of no more than 500 words) to olivia.nater@populationmatters.org.

REMOTE: Are you digital savvy? The Ferret are hiring a Digital Engagement Editor to take their content to the next level with a £120 day rate. Check out our episode with the Co-Founder of the Ferret to get a feel of the company.

EDINBURGH: Copy House are looking for a junior copywriter to join their team. Full time position, 20k-24k per annum.

INVERNESS: The Press and Journal are looking for an experienced, talented and creative journalist to join its crime and courts team. 100 wpm shorthand and driving license required plus knowledge of IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice, media law and court reporting is essential. Full-time position, email recruitment@dcthomson.co.uk for more information about job role/online application process.

NATIONWIDE: Music Business Worldwide are hiring for a full-time content manager/writer position. Competitive salary, closing date 9th April.

MANCHESTER: LNJ Recruitment are looking for a copywriter to join their team to write clear and concise copy for ads, publications and websites. All applicants must be eligible for the Kick Start Scheme, salary states £9 per hour.

CUMBRIA: Reach PLC are looking for a reporter for LancsLive and Cumbria Live. NCTJ qualifications required, full-time position, home-based. However, due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to live within this region to enable them to report on local stories and issues. The role will primarily be covering the Carlisle, Eden and Allerdale districts of Cumbria.

PRESTON: Another Reach PLC one! They are recruiting an engagement producer. Looking for an experienced journalist who will run their social media pages, set the tone in their newsletters and make sure readers know they can share their thoughts on our websites. Full-time position, salary is advertised as £22,446 - £26,000.

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