Natasha Courtenay-Smith explains how running a press agency helps her to find the balance between work and family
Natasha-Courtenay-Smith
Natasha Courtenay-Smith is a freelance writer and the founder of press and publicity agency www.talktothepress.co.uk, which supplies features to the UK’s major newspapers and magazines. Her work with the agency led to her winning the Women in Business category at the Startups Awards. Natasha tells us how tweeting and blogging helps her stay on top as a freelance journalist.
What inspired you to become a writer?
I studied biology and psychology at university but when I graduated, I had no clue what I actually wanted to do with my life. I’d always enjoyed writing and in particular loved reading magazines. One afternoon, I decided that maybe I could make a living writing for one of the publications I read.
With hindsight, it was a bit of a long shot really but at the time it seemed like a perfectly sensible idea.
Did you receive any formal training?
I have no formal journalism training - everything I know about journalism I learnt on the job!
How did you find your first journalism job?
Once I had decided I wanted to be a journalist, I phoned my favourite magazines and asked what I would need to do to become a writer. Most told me I needed to do a postgrad. One of the people I spoke to advised me to get some work experience and I decided to spend one summer doing internships at various publications.
That September, I got a call from Health & Fitness magazine offering me a job as editorial assistant. I’d interned there earlier that summer and was overjoyed at being offered a job. As I could write quickly, I was soon producing features for the magazine.
Where are we likely to see your work?
My agency, Talk to the Press, writes copy for almost every magazine and newspaper in the country. I used to work at the Daily Mail as a feature writer and I’m still a frequent contributor. I’ve also written for Glamour, The Sun, the Financial Times Magazine and Stella, among many others.
Do you specialise in a particular genre?
I specialise in real-life stories. When I worked at the Daily Mail, I was always being sent to interview people with compelling personal stories. Although it was often hard to knock on the door of someone who had just been through a traumatic experience, it taught me a lot about how powerful stories about ordinary people can be.
I found it really satisfying to help people share their experiences with the world and when I went freelance, I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing.
What’s the motivation behind Talk to the Press?
When I went freelance, I continued to write real-life stories and began noticing that a lot of the case studies I interviewed would pass my number to their friends. Lots of people have stories to tell but often, they have no idea how to get their story into the press.
I invested £1,600 to set up the Talk to the Press website to see if I could provide a way for these people to find me, and get their stories published. Two years on, the agency has sold more than 300 stories to newspapers and magazines.
How did feel to win the Women in Business category at the Startups Awards?
I was really thrilled to win the award and stunned too as I actually don’t think I know that much about business. When I started Talk to the Press, I didn’t even know what the word cashflow meant but I picked up what I needed to know as I went. It’s still early days for Talk to the Press but I’m really pleased with our performance so far.
What are the biggest challenges of being a freelance writer?
To be successful, you have to invest a lot of time and energy into what you do. At the end of the day, you are running a business and you have to take it seriously.
I make sure I stay on top of the latest trends - I tweet and blog - and am always looking at ways to make the business better. It’s easy for outsiders to think if you have a ‘business’ then you are in some way wealthy or successful, but the reality is hard graft and uncertainty is always around the corner.
What are the biggest perks?
Being a freelance writer gives me a lot more flexibility than a staff job would. I get to pick up my little boy from nursery every day and take the occasional day off when I need to go somewhere with him.
I think I’ve managed to find a good balance between doing the job I love and spending time with my family but I still worry a lot about whether I should be doing more either way.
Having staff is a bonus too. Although of course it’s an added responsibility, I’ve found delegating has helped ease the pressure I would otherwise have been under with trying to run a business whilst being a new mum.
How do you adapt your style to suit different publications?
I’ve been writing for a broad range of publications for a long time now. It is just a matter of understanding what commissioning editors want and ensuring that you are familiar with their style guide.
I find you can switch between styles fairly easily, although there are certain magazines that I haven’t mastered the style of, such as Love it!. It’s easy to dismiss Love it! Magazine but its style is a work of art.
I just try to write decent copy but fully expect that to be re written in house.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A few years ago, I wrote an article about an incredible woman who had been attacked by her husband and left with severe brain damage. Her injuries left her living in isolation, fearing what the people of her community thought about her and as her husband held an important post at the local golf club, the general consensus was that she was to blame for their martial problems and she was some sort of weirdo who refused to leave her house.
She had become totally isolated in her community. After my article appeared, everyone in her area realised what a terrible experience she had been through and rallied round her, offering her support and friendship.
I was so proud that something I had written had helped to dramatically improve someone’s life.
What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?
Work hard and be confident! The industry is really competitive and you have to be ready to show what you can do.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished filming for a Channel 4 documentary about features agencies and am currently focusing on growing the business. I have also launched a service called Case Study Link, which connects commissioning editors looking for case studies with freelancers and agencies who can supply them, and hope to expand its reach over the next few months.
For further information on Natasha’s work, please visit www.talktothepress.co.uk
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