Freelancing
The business of working for yourself
29 articles tagged freelancing, drawn from across the archive.
Apostrophes: A Simple Guide
The apostrophe Many writers (even good ones) mis-use the apostrophe. But you will find that editors appreciate articles with...
Are You a Real Journalist?
Return To Simon Townsend With Next Assignment, Not By Itself STUDENT's NAME ??????????????????????????? What makes a REAL journo...
Can-could-should-would-will-shall
You need to know about correct usage of words. Here are four sets of words about which even experienced freelance journalists can...
Clippings: The Only Proof You Are a Journalist
ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR 'MEDIA' (Thursday liftout) IN 'THE AUSTRALIAN' Clippings the only proof Do journalism graduates have job...
Contracts for Freelancers
You ask about the freelancer's contract. I know nothing about this so-called contract. I don't know why it's mentioned in the...
Copy-Typing
COPY-TYPING Here's a suggestion that most of my students ignore. Will you? Think carefully before you ignore this. As you know, I...
Freelance Life: The Loneliness and the Money
Is freelancing lonely? Is the money bad? Yes and no. Every profession in the world - rock star, accountant, brain surgeon, actor...
Freelance Pay Rates
National freelance rates Here's the information you asked for on the national freelancers' approved minimum rates recommended by...
Getting a Media Pass
Regarding your media pass. A media pass is like a badge of honor. You earned it. It's a possession you should be proud to have...
Getting a Reference
All references are nonsense but I will write you one IF . . . I am not happy to write references for those students who have not...
Introducing Yourself as a Journalist
You ask about how to introduce yourself to prospective interviewees. Why not say: 'Hello, my name is * and I'm a freelance...
Invoice Form: An Example
This is a rough guide for how your invoice should look. Important: you must write 'Tax Invoice' at the top if you have an ABN...
Letters to editor
Letters to the editor from journalists It's good that journalists, like any other citizens, write letters to newspapers. But I...
PR- its importance
Public Relations (PR) is an important part of being a freelance journalist. Many journalists believe that journalists and PRs are...
Resourceful journalist, how to be a
The most valuable advice you'll ever receive about being RESOURCEFUL By SIMON TOWNSEND This might be the most valuable piece of...
Rights
You ask about 'rights'. After four decades in print, radio and television journalism, I am extremely familiar with the assigning...
Simon Townsend's 10 Rules for Freelance Journalists
Simon Townsend 's 10 Rules for being a productive freelance journalist and staying successful Rule 1: Manage your fear of...
Simultaneous multiple submissions
SMS (simultaneous multiple submissions) Regarding simultaneous multiple submissions. This is where a freelance journalist sends...
Stringing
Regarding 'stringing'. Stringing means acting as a casual correspondent. You might live in a small town in the middle of your...
Tax Deductions for Journalists
Tax deductions for journalists You should consider getting an ABN (Australian Business Number). Because of GST (the Goods and...
Telephone manner
You seem worried about phoning people to obtain information or to conduct an interview. Your life in freelance journalism will be...
The Ampersand (&)
This symbol & is called an ampersand. Please don't use an ampersand instead of the word 'and'. If you are writing about a firm...
The Freelancer's Business Guide
A freelance journalist is running a business. It is a very small business, usually a one-person business, often not incorporated...
Typewriting and Handwriting
Student problems with typewriting and handwriting I can't believe it, but in today's world about two students a year say they...
What Should You Get Paid?
There is no fixed rate for freelance journalism in Australia. What you get paid depends on who commissioned you, how desperate...
Where to Pitch: Australian Publications Today
A guide to Australian publications that accept freelance contributions. The media landscape has changed dramatically. Here is...
Wrong words make you look silly
Do not use the WRONG WORD It's easy to mix up words and use the wrong word. Even long-time experienced journalists (like me) do...
Your and you're
You have confused your and you're. You must, as I do, regard this as a serious spelling error. Your . . . you know what your...
Your phone mannner quiz
Do not return this questionnaire separately: Your phone manner All journalists - fulltime, casual or freelancers - obtain most of...