Freelance Journalism

Last night in Scripps 111 Jamie Ratermann led us in a discussion and overview of Freelance journalism. Assistant professor Ellen Gerl contributed by discussing her experiences as a freelance journalist for magazines such as Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine.

Freelance journalism is something anyone can break into, including college students. Attempting this might be even more beneficial for college students as they may get published, press, and paid- a bonus for any and all college student. They won't have to rely 100% on the income of a freelance journalist (which is sadly minimal, unless you have built a name for yourself and your writing is very valuable) but can use the change to begin to build a name for themselves. Another amazing by-product of freelance journalism is the networking chances it brings. Often freelance journalism can serve as a sort of application process. The editor will already know you, know your writing and know that they can rely on you to meet a deadline (if that is true.) Thus, an editor may be more likely to offer you a job if the opportunity arises versus an unknown writer.

SPJ members are offered multiple different resources for freelance journalists including a freelance directory that may match you up with editors, a job bank as well as a "list of resources and organizations devoted to aiding freelancers in everything from pitching stories to paying taxes."

Check out this SPJ article: "New media helps freelancers and fights repression."

Mark of Excellence Award

You worked hard last year to write, produce and hopefully publish your journalism articles or broadcasts. A college journalist attempts to publish their work to obtain clips, create a portfolio, gain some experience and have proof that your career path isn't entirely a dead end. Now, SPJ is offering a chance to use those published works to win the Mark of Excellence Award.

This Award is presented annually to honor the best in student journalism. It is offered to any student in a college or university in the U.S for work published in 2009 in print, radio, television or online categories. There is also a category for published art/graphics or photos! Entries will first be judged at the regional level then first place regional winners will make it to the national competition. Ultimately, the national winners will be honored at the 2010 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference, October 3-6 in Las Vegas. Judging will be based on certain criteria such as accuracy and completeness, enterprise and ingenuity, significance, clarity, and adherence to high journalistic standards among others

To sign up or nominate a friend click here There is a $9 entry fee for SPJ members and an $18 entry fee for non SPJ members (but everyone should be an SPJ member anyways!)

As journalists we are nearly obsessed with writing the next best story in an attempt to inform the public, why not attempt to boost our resume while we're at it? A Mark of Excellence Award is a perfect honor to do that!

go to http://www.spj.org/a-moe.asp for full details.