Master the Business of Freelance Journalism

Build a sustainable freelance career in 8 weeks!

Enroll Now!

This eight-week live online course provides a comprehensive foundation in the business of freelance journalism. Each session combines real-world strategy with personalized guidance, covering topics such as rate setting, time and income management, client relationships, and long-term planning. This course is designed will meet you where you are, whether you are just starting out or are a longtime freelancer ready to level up your systems.

Participants receive feedback between sessions and a toolkit of resources to support your business goals long after the course ends. With insights from two accomplished journalists who built successful independent careers, learn to work with intention and avoid burnout.

$299 for 8 Weeks of Personalized Support!

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

Seats are limited! Enrollment is capped at just 30 participants to ensure you receive individual attention throughout the program.

Sign up now for:

Eight one-hour classes every Thursday at 3pm ET starting April 2 through May 21
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!

Course Outline

Week 1

Principles for Sustainable Freelancing
Week 2

Your Brand and Your Network
Week 3

Inside a Freelance Business
Week 4

Time and Cash Management
Week 5

Setting Boundaries and Thriving
Week 6

How to Handle Setbacks
Week 7

Projecting Income and Setting Granular Goals
Week 8

Plan for the Future

What Past Participants Say:

“This was an expertly led, comprehensive class. In 8 short hours we went over the basic knowledge, essential tools, winning habits, and adequate mindset for a successful freelancing business.”

“The business of freelancing class gave me a useful framework for optimizing progress in a difficult field and created a supportive community that continued to connect after the course was over.”

“Despite more than a decade in the business and three years freelancing, I learned A LOT in this class, and would highly recommend it!

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 course provides a wealth of practical guidance to ensure your financial and emotional sustainability.

About the Instructors

Emma Carew Grovum is the founder of Kimbap Media, working at the intersection of journalism, technology, and audience. She holds a Cornell University certificate in Building a Diverse Workforce, completed leadership programs at Yale and Poynter, and participated in CUNY’s 2025 AI Lab for Leaders. Emma has previously served as director, careers & culture, at The Marshall Project, and assistant managing editor of The Daily Beast. Prior roles include the New York Times, Foreign Policy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Star Tribune.

Emma Carew Grovum

Nicki Mayo runs Nicki Mayo News, an audio/video company specializing in video, podcast and social media campaign production for small businesses, civic groups and faith-based organizations. The Baltimore native and Syracuse University alumna is: editor-at-large for Black Women Unmuted, a correspondent for TV One and a journalism adjunct professor at George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. Nicki has worked to launch several news orgs including: Spectrum News 1 Buffalo, The List and Crofton Patch. She has also worked as a reporter, producer and manager for: Associated Press Radio and AP’s Race and Ethnicity Team, The Philadelphia Tribune, WAMU, WJHL-TV 11, SNN News, CTV 76, BET News and WAER-FM.

Nicki Mayo

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.
You’ll complete hands-on assignments that help you build key elements of your freelance business, from pitch drafts to rate sheets, and a personalized network map. Along the way, you'll receive detailed, personalized feedback from Nicki and Emma, designed to help you refine your approach in real time and build an adaptable system that’s right for you.
We understand that life happens. While we encourage you to attend all eight live sessions to ask questions and connect with the group, all classes are recorded and shared with participants. If you miss a week, you’ll still be able to access the materials, submit your assignments, and receive instructor feedback before the next session.
No. This course 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.
We recommend budgeting around 3 to 5 hours per week. That includes the one-hour live class, applying what you learned to your freelance practice, and completing exercises or worksheets. Some weeks will feel lighter; others might invite deeper reflection. But the course is designed to be flexible and manageable, even with a busy schedule.
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.
Yes! We will offer the course again in the fall. If the current session doesn’t align with your schedule, you won’t miss out. We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media so as not to miss out on updates about the fall 2026 course. We have sold out every time this course has been offered.
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