‘Never say you’re a student journalist, ever’ was the advice given to us at the Centre for Journalism today by the freelancer Catherine Quinn. Why? Because it often ends up potential interviewees suddenly becoming too busy to help and leaving the soundtrack to my life being ‘Don’t hang up’ by The Orlons.
I thought I’d share some other tips she gave us after talking to some journalism students at the NCTJ student council, who said they’d like some information on freelancing:
- Quinn said that being a freelancer is the ‘ultimate sales job’. It’s 70% selling and 30% writing.
- Different editors like different styles of pitching. Her most successful one is known as the ‘headsell’. It includes the headline, standfirst, lead in paragraph and body text in bullet points.
- Make sure that the publication you’re pitching to takes freelance – quickly ring the editor to check.
- Make sure it fits the publication.
- Go for publications that have low levels of staff.
- Interestingly she said ‘Stop wasting your time on regional papers who’ll give you tiny clips for no money,’
- Pitch with confidence
- Pitch good ideas
- Think of the publication needs above your own
Our lecturer, Sarah Lonsdale, also said to pitch on a Friday for any weekend supplement, as that’s when they’re generally getting ideas together.
Quinn has published a book on the subject. It’s called No Contacts? No Problem! How to Pitch and Sell Your Freelance Feature Writing.