Case studies: Freelance journalist: Sam Hailes

Sam started his freelance business after graduating with a degree in journalism from Southampton Solent University...

When I went to university I didn't expect to freelance immediately after graduating as I didn't think there would be enough opportunities to allow me to go into it full time. I always assumed I would find a 'proper job' first of all. But thanks to the recession, the government is encouraging students to start up their own businesses. The realisation that I had built up a lot of paid experience at university, coupled with some training from my university in how to run your own business, led to my decision to go freelance.

My subject of study could not have been more relevant to what I am doing now. The degree was excellent in giving me the skills and knowledge I needed to write well. I was given training in all types of journalism - TV, radio, magazines, newspapers and the online world.

Without my degree I wouldn't know how to pitch ideas to magazines properly, and I certainly wouldn't be nearly as good a writer as I believe I am now. Thanks to my degree I am now aware of how magazines work and how best to target them if I want to be published.

Generally speaking, my day will consist of pitching ideas to magazines and websites, interviewing people (usually over the phone, but sometimes face-to-face or by email) and chasing people who haven't paid me for my work.

Journalism for me is all about writing other people's stories. Interviewing people is a skill that takes years to perfect. Although in many ways it's as simple as leading and recording a conversation, getting the best quotes out of a person can be challenging. It's this challenge that I enjoy the most, as well as getting to meet fascinating people.

Journalism has also been described as the first 'rough draft' of history. This aspect means I get to be at the cutting edge of whatever field I'm reporting on and that's exciting.

To those who want to get into journalism, I would say go for it. If you've always enjoyed writing and have good English skills, it's a very enjoyable career.

It's also great if you have a niche (a specialist subject). For example, as a Christian my specialist subject is my faith. This means Christian magazines and websites are more likely to publish my work because I haven't needed to do lots of research into a Christian band or author, for example, because I already know that information. You also find that those who have a passionate interest in a subject write better articles on that topic. I would also encourage anyone interested in journalism to start by creating a blog and get writing about anything you want.

AGCAS

Sourced by Nick White, AGCAS

Date: 

December 2011

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