Contents of The Professional Freelance Journalism Course

Discover everything you need to know to succeed as a freelance journalist

The British College of Journalism has designed this online journalism course with the writing beginner in mind. This course is also ideal for those who have already dipped their toe into the industry, but are looking for a way to refresh their skills.

Many leading UK writers and editors have contributed to bring you their wealth of knowledge about writing for UK media markets. The personal tutor you will be assigned to assist you throughout this freelance journalism course is a working UK media professional with in-depth knowledge of the freelance writing markets that most interest you.

Listed below is just a snapshot of the information presented over twelve, easy to understand tutorials for you to read at your own pace.

Explore the course contents below

• Tutorial 1: Basics of freelance journalism & working from home

  So, you want to be a freelance journalist? This introduction sets a solid foundation to the exciting and dynamic world of journalism. This tutorial will present the day-to-day realities of being a journalist, as well as debunking the myths of the industry. You will be introduced to what it means to work freelance, as opposed to full-time, as well as the implications these roles have. You will be given tips on setting-up a functional and productive work space and ethic, and how this works on the road. Tutorial one concludes with Assignment One.

• Tutorial 2: The Market place & The article

  Success in the industry comes in part by knowing the news stands and identifying markets. In this tutorial, you will be shown the different formats of publications that make the industry, as well as gaining an understanding of the differences between news, stories, features, profiles, reviews and columns, and you will learn what editors like. The tutorial ends with Assignment Two.

• Tutorial 3: Understanding grammar & Sub-editing

  Tutorial three is back to basics, where you will look at the parts of speech, the importance of punctuation and the rule of modern language. You will be given tips on editing and re-editing your work and the growth that comes from an editor telling you to ‘have another go’. As well as this, you will learn to recognise when your article is finished and how to write a review. The tutorial ends with Assignment Three.

• Tutorial 4: Knowing your Clients & Building a CV

  In tutorial four we go through the chain of command and production cycle, starting with the editor and what they do. You will learn how to satisfy any editor, as well as how to develop relationships with sub-editors and using these to your advantage to sell and gain stories. You will begin to develop your portfolio, as well as learning everything you need to know about writing for lifestyle magazines. Tutorial four finishes with Assignment Four.

• Tutorial 5: How to Get Freelance Article Ideas

  This tutorial will help you find your ‘light bulb’ moment, as we explore where to find good ideas and turning them into great stories. You will learn seasonal story ideas, and how to place yourself in the front line of accessing potential stories. This tutorial will also cover how to write for music press. Assignment Five rounds off this tutorial.

• Tutorial 6: What Makes a Good Freelance Article

  Building on knowledge gained from tutorial five, tutorial six explored the finer points of turning a good story into a great story, exploring new angles to a story and picking the right angle. You will learn of the importance of research and multiple view points, and how to conduct effective research using many channels. This tutorial also explores everything you need to know about writing for women’s magazines.

• Tutorial 7: How to Sell an Article

  Tutorial seven begins with the all important pitch; how to pitch, and why timing is everything. You will learn about how to get your pitch in front of the right people, as well as the right and wrong ways to do the ‘hard sell’. This tutorial covers the uncomfortable topic of rejection, and how to bounce back from it. It takes a practical look at the business-end of freelance journalism, looking at contracts, rates and copyright, and the industry standards that determine these elements. You will also learn about writing for men’s magazines, as well photography and photo-journalism.

• Tutorial 8: Taking a Brief & the Basic Rules of Journalism

  In tutorial eight, you will look at the brief, and the importance of sticking to it. It also covers writing to a deadline, and why deadlines are so important. Tutorial eight also covers journalism ethics, with a brief discussion on defamation, developing and respecting sources, and the importance of industry contacts. This tutorial looks further into travel writing, and how to write a fishing article, and computer and IT articles.

• Tutorial 9: How to Write an Article – Part One: The Basics

  Tutorial nine is the first in a two-part series on how to write an article. Beginning at the basics, you will look at understanding the client and the audience, as well as the rules of reporting (the who, what, where, when and why). You will learn how to make structure simple by understanding the structure pyramid. You will also learn the importance of the lead, and what the lead should contain, as well as how to use direct and indirect quotes, references and how to end a story. This tutorial concludes with Assignment Six.

• Tutorial 10: How to Write an Article – Part Two: Writing Style

  In the second part of ‘How to Write an Article’, you will look at writing in the active voice, as well as setting tone and tense, and sticking to it. You will learn how to build a story and letting it flow, while removing redundant words, platitudes and clichés. You will learn that competent writing is good writing.

• Tutorial 11: The Interview

  Tutorial eleven explores how to set up, and conduct interviews, as well as the finer points of interviewing, interview techniques and how to get the most out of a short amount of interview time. You will learn how to make technology work in your favour as a freelance journalist, as well as how to work as a roving reporter. This tutorial concludes with Assignment Seven.

• Tutorial 12: Freelance Assignments that Pay

  To conclude this online freelance journalism course, you will look at why niche publishing is so important to a freelancer, as well as how to write and sell to these niche markets. Tutorial twelve looks at the various niche markets and discusses the potential markets that are often overlooked. On the business end of being a freelancer, this tutorial offers a checklist for running your freelance business, and factors such as taxation and accountancy. This tutorial offers a valuable list of contacts, associations and resources to set you on your way. This tutorial ends with your final assignment.

*Course contents may vary from time to time at the discretion of the British College of journalism.