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Category: Journalism

Niche is where the market is

Interesting piece in yesterdays Media Guardian about how niche magazines are now only doing well in the economic downturn, but that they can also now set the political agenda. The number of magazines available to all freelance writers as potential markets seems to expand each year. I’m sure the high profile mass market magazine will remain but with fewer players.

My HomeWorker magazine is certainly a niche magazine, but a niche that now numbers in the millions. Latest figures put home-based workers and home-based businesses continuing to grow in the UK. 2009 will certainly be tough for everyone, but for contract publishers and self-publishers that can find a ready market for their publications can look forward to steady growth even in these uncertain times.

A steady hand on the tiller seems to be what is needed. I had always intended HomeWorker to be a monthly magazine, but initially at least, an appearance every three months seems a cautious approach to take. Of course this all depends on how well the new printed edition sells when it comes out in a few weeks time. If successful I already have the second issue planned, so watch this space for further details.

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Giving Up Your Day Job

Jeff Jarvis writes in his column this week why he gave up his day job, much to the dismay of many of his colleagues. Jeff, though, makes a very strong case illustrating that he basically didn’t need his day job any longer.

Posting on his blog Buzzmachine has bought him a load of work that has given him a tidy income from his RSS feed and Google adverts, but it’s the work that he has gained by simply writing his blog that is of the most interest.

Consulting and teaching now form the bulk of his income that he claims is now six figures. I can see this is entirely possible as editors and businesses alike are always looking for qualified people to help them. Jeff’s speaking engagements are basically jazzed up blog posts, which makes them easy to generate. Afterall, most blog posts could be much longer, but who is going to read a 2,000-word essay online?

I really think Jeff’s experience can be duplicated by anyone that has something interesting to say. And that’s the rub. The kind of work that Jeff now gets is simply because he takes a lot of time to make sure his blog is interesting. So the old adage that content is king online still holds true. Make your blog as interesting as you can, and you could be giving up your day job too.

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Claim Your Royalties

In Sunday’s Independent there was a short piece about artists who continue to miss out on money that they are owed or at least could try and claim, as they have not looked closely at the royalties they should be paid by their publisher.

I know how important this can be. A couple of years ago I tripped over the website of the ACLS that looks after the royalty payments of authors. What I didn’t know was that if anyone made a photocopy of come pages of my books or magazine feature I should be paid a royalty.

I signed up and was surprised to find that I was due some money. Not much mind you – just over £50 last year – but its still income I would not have had if I’d not joined the ALCS.

I published several books over perhaps the last five years or so. Clearly your potential earnings will depend on the subject of your book and how many people find it interesting enough to copy bits of it. But if you have published a very popular book, who knows you may be due a substantial royalty payment. Copied magazine articles can also attract a payment that could really mount up over a year.

So, why not join the ACLS. It only costs a one off payment of £25.00 for a lifetime membership. You never know, you may be due some cash.

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Home workers profiled

Home workers profiled

Home Workers Logo

I think I started this blog mentioning the guys over at Enterprise Nation that continues to carry the torch for home workers. If you still aren’t convinced that working from home is a real trend in the marketplace, point your browser at the newly revamped Real Business magazine website.

They have compiled profiles of 30 home-based businesses that clearly illustrate that home workers are a force in the UK’s small business market. The figures are astonishing. Home-based businesses contribute a whopping £364 billion to the UK economy and employ nearly a third of the entire workforce.

So if you’re feeling a bit isolated in your home office, don’t be. You’re one of a couple of million people who have also woken up to the joys of working from home, and what’s more actually done something about it.

Also, the Real Business web page has an excellent video interview with Enterprise Nation’s Emma Jones, who as always waxes lyrical about home-based businesses. Having met Emma at a get together in London last year, she really is an evangelist for all home workers.

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Journalism and qualifications

Guardian Newspaper

I just finished reading today’s Media Guardian that looks at journalism and the background that many press and broadcast journalist have. The basic thrust being that most of the journos you see the bylines of in your favourite paper or on TV and radio are from middleclass backgrounds and are educated to degree level.

Personally I have never got a job when I was employed, or needed any specific qualifications when I have looked for work. I don’t have a degree in journalism or any other subject. I got as far as A levels before heading into my first full-time job.
What I have found as a freelance journalist is that editors are interested in people who can produce the goods. They don’t really care if you went to Oxford or if you have a NUJ qualification – at least in the markets that I write for anyway. I’m sure this may be different if you want to write for the national press, or if you want to get into BBC news; but if you want to try your hand at freelance journalism, then there’s no replacement for a good portfolio of work.

I spent nearly ten years developing my writing skills and building a portfolio until I was confident that I could pitch feature ideas at editors, and then deliver the goods on time and on brief. I’ve often thought about taking some form of academic qualification in writing or journalism, but I don’t have the time and I really don’t feel that it would open any doors I couldn’t open myself.

I think the elitist slant that the Guardian piece seemed to put over is what really narked me. I have written for national newspapers in the past and did feel that I was at arms length from the ‘real’ paper that was put together by the staffers. I guess it all depends on what ambitions you have and what kind of writing you want to do. Personally, working on a newspaper would feel far too much like an office job that I turned my back on several years ago.

If you’re thinking of trying your hand at the journo game academic qualifications aren’t absolutely necessary if you are attracted to the freelance life. Breaking into the national press or onto broadcast media may well have different criteria, and I would certainly think twice before parting with several hundred pounds for some of the journalism crash courses that are available. It’s much better to practice your craft and when you’re ready mount an assault on the market you want to write within. If you have the skills and can deliver the goods, you’ll have a steady stream of clients that couldn’t give a monkeys which school you went to, or if you have a degree.

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