Kickstart your freelance journalism career

Learn how to spot stories, pitch them to editors and make a living as a freelance writer
Bursting with ideas for stories, but unsure how to get them published? Don’t miss out on this jargon-free journalism class. Led by features writer and foreign reporter Lauren Razavi, this lively evening course will teach you how to spot stories, pitch them to editors and get paid for writing them.

Whether you’re just starting out as a journalist or want to improve your chances of getting commissions, the class will help you to communicate more effectively with editors and get your work published. During the class, Lauren will also give hard-earned advice on how to make a living as a freelance writer, and provide feedback on a handful of students’ pitches, making it a class that budding journalists won’t regret investing in.

Click here to read Lauren’s advice for freelance writers on the Guardian Masterclasses blog

Content
How to make the transition from citizen or student journalism to professional writing
Advice on turning your writing hobby into a career
What to expect from life as a freelance journalist
Making a living through journalistic work
How to spot and pitch strong stories to editors – and get paid for writing them
Building and maintaining relationships with editors
Crafting high-quality journalism
How to build your web presence through social media
Opportunity for feedback: generating story ideas and creating pitches
Q&A and group discussion

Optional course preparation
You’re invited to bring along an idea for a story you’d like to a pitch to an editor. If you’d like to complete this pre-course work, please email masterclasses.support@theguardian.com for a pitch template – and send us your pitch by Friday 15 April, 10am at the latest. The course includes opportunities for constructive feedback on story ideas and attendees’ pitches. Please note – submitting a pitch in advance is not necessary to attend the class or benefit from it

Tutor profile

Lauren Razavi is a freelance journalist who specialises in feature writing and foreign reporting. As a university student, she forged a path in freelance journalism, ultimately funding a Masters degree through her writing. She currently contributes to a range of UK and US publications, including regular work for the Guardian, New Statesman and VICE. Find out more about Lauren on her website.

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Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website