Master the Business of Entrepreneurial Journalism

Build a sustainable freelance career in one day!
Enroll Now!

The Freelance Business Workshop

Your Path to Financial and Emotional Sustainability

Presented by the Institute for Independent Journalists and
Investigative Reporters and Editors

Friday, June 19, 2026, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
201 Waterfront St

This full-day workshop will help freelancers develop a sustainable independent journalism practice. While geared toward people with a few years of experience, even long-time entrepreneurs will learn skills to level up.

Topics Include:

  • The 3 P’sⓒ model of structuring a freelance portfolio and what to negotiate for in addition to higher pay.

  • Effective networking, recruiting anchor clients, identifying your brand and niche, and when to say no.

  • A range of organization, time management, and mental health strategies

What Past Participants Say:

“This experience was one of the most impactful, educational workshops I've ever taken in my career (and I've sat through a lot of them!) … such meaningful encouragement.”

“The entire workshop was wonderful, but the last session-particularly the sections on scheduling work and rest and creating habits and systems-were enlightening and empowering. I left feeling excited about freelancing and put some gems on post-its that I now look at every day when starting my workday.”

“Understanding the essentials of a contract and practicing negotiation skills were crucial parts of this seminar for me. I was pretty oblivious before this. Now, I feel confident that I can stand up for myself when pursuing a project.”

Create a personalized roadmap for long-term success as a freelancer. You’ll learn to:

  • Apply Katherine Lewis’s 3 P’s modelⓒ to shape a balanced and profitable portfolio

  • Track your income and time with ease, and set clear, achievable goals

  • Negotiate beyond pay—and recognize when it’s time to say no

  • Build smarter systems for organization, time management, and maintaining your mental health

  • Strengthen your network, identify anchor clients, and define your brand and niche

Whether you're laying the groundwork for your freelance career or fine-tuning an established business, this workshop provides a wealth of practical guidance to ensure your financial and emotional sustainability.

Friday, June 19, 2025 (9 am - 6 pm ET)

 

9:00 - 10:00 am

Session 1: Principles for Sustainable Freelancing

Learn the 3 P’s model© of freelance gigs and the importance of hourly rates. Review an income-expenses statement, and adapt a budget to use in your freelance practice. Dig into the key roles all entrepreneurs must shoulder and how employers and freelancers differ. Reflect on your reasons for being an independent journalist, brainstorm the elements of a balanced portfolio, and develop a system for achieving your goals.

 
 
 

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Session 2: Your Brand and Your Network

Learn the importance of cultivating relationships with peers and potential clients. Discuss brand identity and marketing strategies. Compare effective networking and excessive self-promotion. Create a Venn diagram of your interests, your experience and the market, as you identify potential anchor clients.

 

11:15 - 12:15 pm

Session 3: Inside a Freelance Business

Learn the basics of entrepreneurial business structure, tax and licensing obligations. Develop a system for tracking invoices and managing your cash flow. Hear about the risks freelancers face—financial, legal, health and psychological—and how to manage them. Understand the copyright and contract terms that impact the value of your work, and review sample proposals that limit your risk and clearly define the project’s scope. Make a plan for setting goals, tracking income and time, paying taxes, and being accountable to yourself.

 
 
 

12:30 - 2 pm

Lunch Offsite

If you register directly with the IIJ before the deadline, lunch is included in your workshop registration. If you join the workshop through your IRE registration, you may purchase lunch here for an additional $30, or elect to have lunch on your own and return for the afternoon session. We will walk to the lunch site together. 

Email info@theiij.com if you’re not sure whether you’re confirmed for lunch.

2-3 pm

Session 4: Editors Panel

Hear from editors who assign to freelance journalists, including what they’re looking for in a pitch, how to become a go-to contributor, strategies for deepening your relationship with a client, managing conflict, and more. Speakers include editors for the New York Times and D.C. area publications.

Speakers:

Moderator:

3:15 - 4:15 pm

Session 5: Time, Client and Self Management

Learn key principles for managing your time, clients, and yourself. Evaluate your current motivation strategies, high-low discipline hours and needs for rest, connection and fun. Hear about supports and strategies for maintaining mental health and work discipline. Review sample client proposals, pitch letters, and contracts. Understand the importance of turning down work and practice several ways to say no.

 

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Session 6: Freelance Systems for Success

This session will be a practical, hands on approach to setting up your freelance practice for emotional and financial sustainability. You’ll adapt a new client checklist for your particular needs and risk level, set goals for insurance, retirement savings, tax compliance and tax support. Draft a business plan at granular and annual levels.

5:30 - 6:00 pm

Wrap-Up Networking

Finish the day by evaluating the learning, sharing contact information with new colleagues, and setting up any next steps that will help cement your day of learning.

$59 for One Day of Personalized Support!

This is one of the most affordable and high-impact freelance workshops available today.

Seats are limited!

Sign up now for:

  • One full-day workshop

  • Assignments that build crucial business skills and personalized feedback

  • A full toolkit of worksheets, templates, and resources you can rely on for years to come

Enroll Now!

About the Instructors

Katherine is a science journalist and author based in the Washington, D.C. area who writes about education, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, and social justice for publications including The Atlantic, The New York Times, Nieman Reports, Parents, and The Washington Post. Her 2018 book The Good News About Bad Behavior grew out of Mother Jones’ most-read article. A biracial woman (Asian American and White), she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News.

Katherine Reynolds Lewis

Shernay Williams is a 3x entrepreneur and an award-winning independent journalist and content strategist with 15 years of cross-platform experience. She worked as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to local TV as a reporter, anchor, and producer. Since then, she’s run a content firm, served as an entrepreneurship coach, and launched a national directory and resources platform for Black mompreneurs. Her written and video work has appeared in MarketWatch, Fast Company, Inc, TheGrio, Word In Black, Comcast Newsmakers, Ivanhoe Broadcast News, and various local outlets. She also serves on the leadership team for the National Association of Black Journalists' Entrepreneurship Task Force and is founder of Shernay Olivia Art & Jewelry, specializing in handcrafted earrings and bangles.

Shernay Williams

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

  • MacArthur Foundation

    The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

  • Democracy Fund

Past Workshops

Presented by the Institute for Independent Journalists, Palabra and National Association of Hispanic Journalists

Presented by the IIJ

Thank you to our sponsors!

  • O'Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism

    Marquette University

  • MacArthur Foundation

    The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

2023 Washington, DC
Freelance Business Workshop

Presented by the IIJ and the Asian American Journalists Association Freelance Affinity Group

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not at all. Many freelancers enter the course still exploring their path. One of the first things we work on is helping you identify your strengths, values, and goals, so you can define a niche that feels aligned and sustainable. 

  • No. This workshop is designed to support your journey whether you freelance full-time, as a side hustle, or even if you’re preparing to transition into freelancing. We meet you where you are and help you build systems that match your capacity and long-term goals.

  • Yes, and more important, the right kinds of clients. Rather than chasing volume, we focus on helping you build a freelance business with clarity, boundaries, and intention. You’ll learn how to attract clients who respect your time and expertise, negotiate stronger contracts, and build lasting professional relationships that support your career growth.

  • We rotate amongst cities and can not guarantee that programming will be near you.

  • Absolutely. While this course was created with the experiences of BIPOC freelancers in mind — and many discussions will center around identity, access, and equity — it’s open to anyone who shares those values and is eager to learn in a community-centered space. We ask all participants to engage with respect, humility, and a willingness to grow alongside others.

  • Email us at: info@theiij.com

Master the Business of Entrepreneurial Journalism

Build a smarter, more sustainable freelance career with IIJ instructors Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Shernay Williams.

Enroll Now!