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 & 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

Register here!

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

Testimonials

“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.”

Schedule

Friday, June 19, 2025

9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET

8:30 am - 9:00 am

Registration

Grab your name badge, meet other freelancers, and settle in for a day of learning and community! We’ll provide coffee and snack bars.

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 balance 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 $25, 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.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!