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> Introduction: The freelance side of life
Freelance journalism 101
> Vocabulary lesson
> Dollars and sense
– Pay structures
– Payday
– Retainers and draws
– Rate specifics: Mum’s the word
> Contracts are essential
> Copyright 101
> Dressing for success as a freelancer
> Staying productive even when you’re not working
Business matters
> Five reasons to pay attention to business
> Contracts and copyright — beyond the basics
> Getting your business organized
– Licenses and permits
– Form of business
> Separating yourself from your business
– Money
– Contacts
> Keeping track of business
– Tracking productivity and business results
– Recordkeeping for tax purposes
– Recordkeeping systems
> Taxing matters
– Income adjustments for self-employed health insurance premiums
> Insurance considerations for freelance journalists
– Liability insurance for media freelancers
– Protecting your business property, income and budget
Making a living
> Time and money
– Time — out of hand
– Money — out of pocket
> Budgeting without a salary
> A simple way to boost your pay: Ask
> Retirement planning: Where to stash your cash?
Finding work
> Finding your way to work
> Trolling the web for work
– How to succeed on jobs websites without killing your schedule
– Beware the temptation of bidding websites
> Inspiration for finding the story
> Brainstorming ideas you can sell
> Pitching your way to a full story calendar
> Tips on freelancing for newspapers
– How to get a newspaper editor’s attention
Marketing yourself
> Paying attention to business
> Making a home for your business on the web
– A website of your own
> Networking: the key to staying happy and fed
– Networking in local groups
– Networking through SPJ and other journalism organizations
– Following up
> Business cards help make the best first impression
Tools of the trade
> Why journalism ethics matter
> Four tips for better self-editing
> Selected websites for finding freelance journalism assignments
> Journalism organizations
> Journalism reading list