JR Masterclass: How To Get Your First Paid Freelance Byline

Breaking into freelancing can be tough — often, getting that first paid byline can feel like the hardest thing to do. How do you go from writing in a voluntary capacity, or just as a hobby, to suddenly getting paid for your words? It’s a question JR’s staff writer Hannah Bradfield asked for a good few years before she actually sent a pitch out into the abyss

Whether you're a career switcher, a student, or just trying journalism on for size, it can feel tough when you don't have any contacts or know what the heck a pitch should even look like. What follows can be tough — rejections, or worse: no replies at all. ut it can also be surprising, and when you do get that first paid byline — whether it’s a first-time commission, or after 50-odd rejections, nothing quite beats it

In this new Journo Resources masterclass, our very own Hannah Bradfield will talk through her own experiences in securing that first piece of paid work — and what she's learned along the way. We'll cover:

• Back to basics — where to start with freelancing;
• What to include in your pitch and email;
• Dealing with rejection;
• The next steps after a commission.

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Meet The Speaker

Hannah Bradfield is the Staff Writer at Journo Resources, after starting joining us as a trainee in December 2021. Outside of her work for Journo Resources, she is a freelance journalist. Her work has been published by the BBC, The Telegraph, Stylist, and Runner's World.

She is also a recent graduate from Loughborough University, where she studied a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She is also currently studying for the NCTJ diploma at News Associates.