The plight of the freelance writer
© FC Taylor
Freelance journalist Natasha Lavattiata worries about the future for writers for her, and investigates how we can maintain our motivation during the credit crunch. With advice from the National Union of Journalists and psychologist Dr Neil Martin, she sees a way forward through the murky waters ahead.
With the closure of The London Paper last month, even more journalists have taken to the cold open seas of freelancing; and there is talk that the water will become even colder – how can the print journalism industry possibly support all the writers and stop them going under?
Difficult times equal minimised manners
Getting hold of the journalists and editors on some national newspapers and the glossy women’s magazines is becoming particular challenging. Pitching over the phone is almost impossible as we’re faced by abrupt phone manners and even being cut off with hold music when in mid-sentence.
The experience of phoning a publication seems increasingly negative, to the extent that freelance journalists end up feeling so intimidated they resort to emailing just to get out of talking to individual concerned. But when the feature idea is time-sensitive and you know you’re email may not be looked at for another week, if ever, that’s really not a great choice!
Both PRs and freelancers have described the whole experience of pitching a story to some editorial staff on newspapers and magazines as being ‘plain horrible’.
All this begs the question: what’s so difficult about a polite ‘Sorry, I’m busy’?
John Toner, the National Union of Journalists’ national freelance organiser says that the first thing to do when confronted with such behaviour is to take a deep breath and ask the editorial staffer concerned if they could suggest a time when they could call back.
“As a trade unionist, I know there have been many cutbacks and so the freelancer might be talking to someone who is doing two people’s jobs and so has limited time.”
John’s words remind me of the Harper Lee classic To Kill a Mockingbird and in particular when lawyer Atticus Finch tells his daughter Scout: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
The right story, and the right pay
Of course there are lots of factors at play when trying to get your story in a newspaper or magazine. But it still doesn’t take away the sting of being made to feel you’re wasting somebody’s time.
Perhaps this treatment has something to do with our scandal-loving press. The story always has to be bigger, more damaging, have greater impact, or they won’t bother with it at all.
An editor on a publication who sometimes accepts my proposals, rejected my recent pitch on the basis that the woman who saved a person’s life did not save more lives.
Freelance writer, James Brewer is in the fortunate position of not needing to approach editors because after a distinguished career in journalism as a writer on Lloyd’s List for over 20 years, editors come to him.
He said: “Commissioning editors are getting ruder, and papers expect professional journalists to write for free, or pinch their ideas after being approached.
“Several papers have arbitrarily cut rates by around 10 per cent, rates that in any case have been frozen for 10 or even 20 years.”
Persistence leads to success
Dr Neil Martin, Reader in Psychology at Middlesex University and author of numerous psychology titles explains that as humans we are prone to frustration and intolerance and when confronted with excessive, sustained and unpredictable pressure our normal courtesy levels drop.
He adds: “From the side of a writer touting for work, the employer is always too busy. I remember Barry Norman saying that the best way he had of getting work when he lost his newspaper job was to sit in a Fleet Street pub frequented by hacks who appeared to think he was still working and available.
“That way, he built up relationships - and got a job. This subsequently led to a successful TV career.”
Researching this feature helped me to see that I shouldn’t take what appears to be rudeness at face value, and I certainly shouldn’t take it personally - the person concerned may be having a stressful time due to cutbacks in the office.
Seeing it this way means I will be brave to call back or email again, and maybe next time the person who gets my pitch will be in a better frame of mind, and my idea may be just what they need to make their day as an editor that bit easier, and make my day as a freelancer something to celebrate.
Related posts:
- Freelance writer Rachel England talks about getting started in journalism - Most recently editor for South Wales' culture and arts guide...
- Freelance writer Melissa Lawrence celebrates being able to sleep by day and work at night - Melissa Lawrence is a freelance journalist, short story writer and...
- Jenny Itzcovitz discusses the flexibility of being a freelance writer - Jenny Itzcovitz has been working as a journalist for 25...
- Freelance writer David Brown discusses his passion for trains, music and travel - David Brown is a journalist specialising in writing about music,...
- Love Film? Live in Paris? Become a freelance writer for Screen International - Screen International is currently looking for a freelance writerr to...
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment