How to start your career as a freelance journalist

Learn how to spot stories, pitch them to editors and make a living as a freelance writer.

Bursting with ideas for stories, but unsure how to get them published? Don’t miss out on this jargon-free journalism class. Led by features writer and columnist Coco Khan, this lively evening course will teach you how to spot stories, pitch them to editors and get paid for writing them.

Whether you’re just starting out as a journalist or want to improve your chances of getting commissions, the class will help you to communicate more effectively with editors and get your work published.

Coco will offer her hard-earned advice on how to make a living as a freelance writer and provide feedback on some of your pitches, making this a class that budding journalists will not regret investing in.

Content

• How to make the transition from citizen or student journalism to professional writing
• Advice on turning your writing hobby into a career
• What to expect from life as a freelance journalist
• Making a living through journalistic work
• How to spot and pitch strong stories to editors – and get paid for writing them
• Building and maintaining relationships with editors
• Crafting high-quality journalism
• How to build your web presence through social media
• Opportunity for feedback: generating story ideas and creating pitches
• Q&A and group discussion

Optional course preparation

• You will spend time in the class discussing pitching and how they take a case by case basis, so you are invited to submit an old pitch that has been unsuccessful, for optional discussion. Please send to masterclasses.support@theguardian.com one week prior to the course date.

• The course includes opportunities for constructive feedback on story ideas and attendees’ pitches.
• Please note: submitting a pitch in advance is not necessary to attend the class or benefit from it.

Tutor profile

Coco Khan is a columnist, feature writer and commissioning editor. Before arriving at The Guardian she was a freelancer for many years, and continues to work with magazine titles in the UK and US. She tweets @cocobyname.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website