Set Yourself Up Well for Freelancing When You’re Full-Time with Karen Given

Season 7, Episode 4

Hi everyone!

I decided somewhere along the way that I’d release two episodes in May – one of which would help the many, many media workers who are affected by layoffs. 

It’s a pretty weird and strange and bad time right now to be working in media. As folks get laid off, there aren’t necessarily enough full-time jobs that they can immediately apply to. And maybe some people on staff are thinking of going freelance.

This episode, Set Yourself Up Well for Freelancing When You’re Full-Time, is for the folks who have full-time jobs, and are curious about freelancing. 

I’ve never been in the position of going from a staff job to freelance before, and I’ve never been traumatized by a layoff, either. So I brought on someone who can speak to both. 

My cohost for this episode is Karen Given. Karen is a freelance audio journalist, host, producer, editor, and voice coach – all things audio! – based near Boston, MA. She’s worked more than 20 years for WBUR (Boston’s NPR News Station) and on NPR’s “Only a Game.” She thought she was a NPR lifer. But then, in the first year of the pandemic, she was laid off. She’s here to help us come up with a game plan for anyone on staff to consider before they’re thrust into freelancing. 

We talk about networking, understanding the freelance market, building your own brand, and everything else she wishes she did on her way out. The episode is available anywhere you podcast, and the accompanying worksheet is available here for free! 

We have also compiled some of my most useful resources for folks who are transitioning from a full-time job to freelance. You can nab that here: https://www.thewriterscooppod.com/resources/p/layoff-survival-guide

Talk to you soon,

Wudan

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PS: Looking to refine your pricing strategy? We’ve got a three-week masterclass to help you with that in June. The course is meant to help you gain confidence in how and what you charge for freelance projects. Sign ups close this week, on May 25, so nab your spot now! https://www.thewriterscooppod.com/resources/p/develop-confidence-in-your-freelance-pricing-strategy-with-the-writers-co-op 

PPS: Join TWC, Chris La Tray, and Melinda Wenner Moyer on how to create, build, and monetize a newsletter without the privilege of building an audience from a staff job! This one- hour webinar will get into the nitty gritty of running a newsletter. (June 8, 1:30-2:30 PDT) Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-and-monetize-your-own-newsletter-with-the-writers-co-op-tickets-631142352767 30% discount code: APUBOFUROWN

Discount codes available for all events and masterclasses if you’re a Patreon subscriber – sign up today at patreon.com/twcpod