Past IIJ Webinars

Jan. 17, 2025

Negotiate Like a Rockstar

Join the Institute for Independent Journalists and the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project for a collaborative discussion of rate negotiation, a vital skill freelancers should leverage both individually and collectively. A panel of experienced freelance journalists from across the industry will discuss strategies for gauging fair rates, setting a ground floor, and pushing for higher pay, better contract terms, and other points of negotiation. Then, attendees and speakers will share success stories, tips, and tricks in facilitated small groups to build our collective wisdom.

Speakers:

• Joseph Lee, Freelance Journalist

• Mónica Ortiz Uribe, Freelance Journalist

• Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Founder, the IIJ

• Erin McGregor, Association of Independents in Radio

• Lily Meyer (Moderator), Freelance Solidarity Project

Dec. 13, 2024

How to Find Journalism-Adjacent Freelance Work

Learn how to find work in content marketing, branding, communications and other fields that are adjacent to journalism, and how to adjust to the different demands of this work. Panelists will discuss how to network to good clients, handling yourself ethically.

Speakers:

• Ricardo Baca, founder and CEO of Grasslands

• Mary Melton, Editor-at-Large, Alta Journal

• Stacy Brooks Whatley, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer, American Counseling Association

Nov. 8, 2024

The Impact of Layoffs- and How to Weather Them

Be the first to hear the findings of the IIJ's survey of laid off journalists, and learn strategies from layoff survivors on weathering this now-common part of the industry.

Speakers:

• Janice Llamoca, Freelance Senior Producer, Former VICE Audio

• Katherine Lewis, Founder, The IIJ

• Maudlyne Ihejirika, the Field Foundation

• Yowei Shaw, Creator and Host, Proxy

Oct. 18, 2024

Tools to Boost Your Reporting and Revenue

Learn how to use Google’s Pinpoint software to collect and sort through large volumes of data and documents. with Mary Nahorniak from the Google News Initiative, as well as other tools for generating story ideas and boosting your freelance business.

Speakers:

• Mary Nahorniak, Teaching Fellow, Google News Initiative

Sept. 27, 2024

Pitching Business and Science Stories

Learn how to pitch your business, technology and science stories to outlets like Marketplace, MIT Technology Review, PCMag, Salon, and the Wirecutter. Connect with editors and learn how to win assignments from them!

Speakers:

• Alan Henry, Editor, PCMag

• Amanda Peacher, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Marketplace

• Rachel Courtland, Editor, MIT Technology Review

• Troy Farah, Science & Health Editor, Salon

• Ellen Lee, Senior Staff Writer, Wirecutter (Moderator)

Mar. 15, 2024

Insurance for Freelancers

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Speakers:

• Rafael Espinal, Executive Director, Freelancers Union

• Cheryl Davis, General Counsel, Authors Guild

• Mythili Sampathkumar, Freelance Writer and Editor

• Katherine Lewis, Founder, The IIJ (moderator)

Dec. 8, 2023

Travel Freelancing

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Speakers:

• Starlight Williams, Travel Editor, National Geographic

• Tacey Rychter, 36 Hours Editor, New York Times Travel

• Amanda Finnegan, By the Way Editor, Washington Post

• Katherine LaGrave, Deputy Editor, Afar Magazine

• Meena Thiruvengadam, Freelance Journalist (moderator)

Nov. 17, 2023

Business and Personal Finance Journalism

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Speakers:

• Manseen Logan, Editor of Freelancers, Business Insider

• Mike Dang, Personal Finance Editor, The New York Times

• Reyhan Harmanci, Senior Editor, Bloomberg Businessweek

• Shernay Williams, Independent Video Journalist (moderator)

Oct. 27, 2023

Sustaining Your Long-Form Journalism Career

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Speakers:

• Cerise Castle, Journalist

• Fernanda Santos, Editor and Leader in digital and audio

• Sarah Carr, Independent Journalist

• Jaeah Jonae Lee, Independent Journalist (moderator)

Sept. 15, 2023

Health and Science Journalism

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Speakers:

• Lori Leibovich, Editor, New York Times Well

• Kyung Song, Managing Editor, WebMD

• Shraddha Chakradhar, Deputy News Editor for Diversity, Science

• Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Founder, The IIJ, (moderator)

Feb. 16, 2023

Monetizing Your Reporting

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Speakers:

• Cesar Melgoza, Founder, ePluribus LLC

• Damon Brown, Founder, Bring Your Worth

• Neida Sandoval, Independent Journalist

• Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Founder, The IIJ (moderator)

Nov. 19, 2024

Watch here

Please join this critical discussion on the state of journalism jobs at a time of political and industry uncertainty. More than 8,400 journalists have been laid off nationwide since January 2022 — about 9% of the journalism workforce. More than 30 organizations helped circulate this IIJ survey of laid off journalists, funded by The Field Foundation of Illinois to assess the state of the industry. Let's shine a light on journalism jobs disappearing when the Fourth Estate is needed more than ever.

Speakers:

• Tim Franklin, Senior Associate Dean, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University

• Dr. Meredith D. Clark, Associate Professor, UNC, Chapel Hill

• Alyssa Edes, Chicago-based Producer, Formerly with WNYC Studios

• Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Founder, The IIJ

• Deborah D. Douglas, Director, Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub (Moderator)

Feb. 9, 2023

Sports and Fitness Freelancing

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Speakers:

• Monique LeBrun, Associate Health and Fitness Editor, Runner’s World & Bicycling

• Alisa Hrustic, Executive Editor, SELF

• Greg Lee, Senior Editor, Front Office Sports

• Christine Yu, Author and Journalist (moderator)