Interview: Oliver Brett gives his best tips to new freelancers
Freelancer Oliver Brett says it is important for newcomers in the industry to turn nothing down.
The number of freelancers in journalism have steadily increased for a long time, and 18,000 journalists were freelancing either full-time or part-time in the UK last year. A number which likely will continue to grow in the future as most news organisations struggle to find new ways of income.
Many journalism graduates may not have any other choices than freelancing when they enter the industry today, so we decided to ask someone with experience for advice.
Oliver Brett worked at the BBC from 2001-2011, but he has over the last few years worked as a freelance journalist.
What is the most important thing to think about as a freelance journalist?
"The most important thing about freelancing is filling up the diary with work, because it is never guaranteed, I don't sort of sign long-term contracts with any individual employer. I look at my diary and try to fill it up 4-5 months ahead if possible.
"The easiest work to get in sports journalism is at the weekend's obviosuly, because most sport happens on Saturday and Sunday's. So it is about trying to fill up the Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's are the hardest days. Thursday's and Friday's are a little bit easier because you are building towards the weekend."
What are the most challenging parts of freelance journalism?
"My main challenge are the winter months. Usually late spring until the end of summer/early autumn, because the nature of my work is that I specialise in horseracing and cricket. And really in the summer it is very busy, I can easy get six days a week. If I wanted to work every day of the week, I could.
"The challenge for me is from about October up until the end of February, because it is much less busy for me then. So I am kind of looking and hunting around, trying to do work for magazines and individual commissions. That is ofteh the time of year to do that.
"And it is also a good time to sort out the tax affairs and invoices. Check that you have been paid, because that is one of the most important things in freelancing - to check that all those invoices get's paid in full. Because people will forget and they won't suddenly remember three months down the line and send you a check. It is very much your job to chase them up all the time."
What is the best thing about being a freelancer? Is it the freedom?
"Yes, absolutely. It is knowing that I can wake up on a Monday morning and not have to be commuting and getting on a train somewhere.
"I do very little travelling to offices. I work in the field most of the time, or work from home. And I can avoid commuting which I think is a terrible drain on people's lives."
What are the best tips you have for new freelance journalists?
"There are gonna be times when you are busy and times when you are not busy, and not to worry about work drying up momentarily because it will pick up.
"And there will be times when you are completely swept off your feet. I would be tempted to turn nothing down, even if it seems impossible and you have got three commissions and one employer in a week and you are needed to come in for three shifts at an office somewhere else.
"Unless you genuinely can't fit it in your hours of the day to get your sleep and so on, it is really important to say yes to pretty much everything, because then you will be saving a bit of money for when times are quiet.
"Get organised for tax purposes because it is a bit complex these days. It used to just file a tax return but nowadays you have to set up as a small, limited company. It is not complicated, you just got to do it before you start earning.
"Try and focus and specialise in areas you are good at because employers like people who are specialists. They will look out for people who have individual fields of expertise."
What would you have done if you graduated today?
"If I had my journalism qualification and was setting out on the road, I would be very tempted to take the first job I got because you may not know when the next offers comes in.
"But never ever take your eye of the ball of forward career development and forward progress."
