We would be the first to admit that during the past 18 months virtual events have kept the freelance industry thriving.
Webinars, awards, meetings and socials have connected freelance journalists from across the globe, enabling people to access opportunities they would never be able to travel to.
This has been particularly beneficial for those living outside London or freelancers wanting to attend events hosted abroad.
Our very own podcast, switched from a radio studio in Sheffield to online platform Zoom, allowing us to speak to guests in New Zealand, North and South America and Europe.
There are definitely huge advantages to working online and it has accelerated the globalisation of networking. But there is still something to be said for in person events.
Last week the Freelancing for Journalists team Lily Canter, Emma Wilkinson and Helen Quinn attended the IPSE Freelancer Awards in London. It was the perfect example of how an awards ceremony in real life, can create networking opportunities that just can’t be replicated online.
We were delighted to pick up the Freelancing Project award (in person) for our FFJ podcast which somewhat ironically blossomed due to the switch to online recording.
Winning the award was the highlight of the evening (especially since a series of train related disasters meant we almost didn’t get there) but it wasn’t the only productive thing to come out of the event.
Being able to catch-up with freelance colleagues and chat with new ones, led to a series of very useful conversations.
We had barely arrived before someone introduced themselves to us, placing a business card in our hands. It turns out that they represent a company that offer a service which freelance journalists are crying out for but they had never heard of us or our network of freelancers. As a result of a quick five minute chat they were keen to collaborate and could turn into a fruitful FFJ partner or sponsor in the future.
Since we won an award for our podcast we were also approached by a number of people wanting to know more about the mechanics of podcasting and were able to direct them to our online webinars. Once again we were able to spread the word of FFJ to an entirely new audience.
Another company asked if we could create content for their freelance platform and this led to swapping contact details and starting a conversation with a potential new client.
It was also lovely to chat face to face with people we know in the freelance community and finally meet our research assistant Helen Quinn in real life. Helen has been working for us for almost a year but we had never actually met her. Turns out she is even more lovely in real life and as corny as it sounds, being able to enjoy a few drinks together was a great team building exercise.
The problem with online events is that although they are great for receiving information and asking a few questions, there is not the opportunity to pick people’s brains on a one-to-one basis. It is difficult to go around a virtual room and chat to lots of different people, asking them each specific questions. And this is the joy of in person events.
At the IPSE post-awards reception we were able to ask a contact about a long gestating grant scheme and when the shortlisted projects would be announced. We were able to casually drop this into the conversation rather than sending a pushy email asking for an update which meant we also got a full and frank answer with some behind the scenes gossip.
We were also able to pick the brains of another freelance journalist about how they secured their own column in a national newspaper and they gave some really helpful insights.
All-in-all it was a very productive three hours both professionally and socially, even if it did mean we had to sprint across London St Pancras in high heels to catch the last direct train home.
What’s coming up
We’re running our How to become a successful freelance journalist course in collaboration with journalism.co.uk in November. Work with us on your story ideas, pitches and branding and find out where to find freelance work. The course is super flexible and you’ll receive loads of 1-2-1 feedback from both Lily and Emma. There are a few places left if you sign up quick!
Triumph of the week
Well for us it has to be the IPSE award but also the chance to meet up in person and share a few glasses of bubbly together in our posh frocks. Cheers!
That feeling when…
You have juggled everything to meet a tight deadline and then the deadline is suddenly moved with no warning. Time to start juggling again.
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!