💪Why knowing your “why” is your superpower

Free webinar on pitching op-eds, IIJ at AccessFest and MediaFest25, Nieman and Reynolds fellowships and more

On days when your pitches don’t land, or a fellowship rejection email lands in your inbox, it’s easy to curse the day you ever became a freelancer. (Or is that just me?)

In those moments, knowing your “why” is crucial. It’s the superpower that keeps you going until the next good thing comes along. (And it always does.)

Take a moment now and ask yourself: why do you want to be a freelancer? How does freelancing help you live a life that aligns with your goals and values? What’s your “why?”

Be careful when answering. It’s easy to get caught up in the grandiose ideals about speaking truth to power, making anything less than saving the world through our words feel inadequate.

As admirable as that “why” is, it’s not the only one worth pursuing. Nor is it realistic to only have one, giant “why.” Flexibility is at the heart of freelancing, and life. You’re allowed — encouraged, even — to change your mind.

If you take the IIJ’s Business of Freelancing course, you’ll learn about the 3P^’s model^ⓒ. This magic rubric is designed to help you understand the “why” behind every project.

So, take another moment and ask yourself: why do I want to do this project, even though it’s so frustrating I’d like to anthropomorphize it and strangle it?

Maybe the answer is real-world impact. Or chasing a childhood dream of a byline. The most crucial “why” for you right now could be financial. Which one is most important to you at this very moment?

Whenever you’re working on something, know your “why.” Say it out loud. Write it down on a Post-It. Have it ready to pull out and dust off when things aren’t going as smoothly as you’d like. It’s your superpower.

~ Sara

✍️ Free webinar: How to pitch winning op-eds

Opinion editors from Bloomberg, Undark and USA Today share what you need to craft a winning op-ed pitch in this FREE webinar on Friday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m. ET. Learn insider tips, and get answers to all your questions!

Speakers:

• Corinna Wu, senior editor for opinion and features, Undark

• Jhodie-Ann Williams, opinion editor, Bloomberg

• Louie Villalobos, deputy opinion editor, USA Today

Moderator: Stephanie Griffith, freelance journalist

💥There’s still time left to register for IIJ’s Business of Freelancing!

It’s not too late to upgrade your freelance career! There are still seats available for the IIJ’s Business of Freelancing Course, starting Oct 16.

This 8-week course covers the essential building blocks of a sustainable freelance business: negotiating contracts, navigating client relationships, building your network, and much more! Co-taught by award-winning journalists Lisa Armstrong and IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis, this is one of the most affordable and high-impact freelance courses available.

Don’t miss the course one participant called, “The best professional development experience I’ve had since journalism grad school.”

🚀 Jumpstart your business with us at AccessFest!

On Friday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET, IIJ leaders will present “Jumpstarting your freelance business” at AccessFest 2025, the virtual conference hosted by Investigative Reporters and Editors..

Ann Marie Awad, Lygia Navarro, Mónica Ortiz Uribe and Shernay Williams will show you how to create the right systems to transform your side hustle into a full-time business. From automation to AI, networking to managing multiple projects, this panel will give participants a whole toolbox of tech tips, strategies and frameworks to jumpstart their freelancing business. That includes a demo of the IIJ’s interactive online freelance startup guide!

📝 Meet IIJ leaders at MediaFest25!

On Thursday, Oct. 16, IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis will present at MediaFest in Washington, D.C.

At 10 a.m., join Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Tim Herrera of Freelancing with Tim to discuss how freelancers can build a sustainable career by diversifying income streams. Everything from editing, teaching, consulting, newsletters, coaching and even speechwriting can help put an end to that “feast-or-famine” lifestyle.

At 4 p.m., Katherine will lead another freelance-focused discussion on building entrepreneurship systems that work for you. She’ll also demo the IIJ’s interactive online freelance start up guide.

Then, at 5 p.m., join Katherine and Altavoz Lab founder Valeria Fernández for an informal meetup with fellow freelancers!

See the full MediaFest schedule here.

Pitch Calls and Other Opportunities

🌲 Pitches wanted on national forest, grasslands

The National Forest Foundation seeks essays for the summer/fall 2026 issue of its magazine, Light & Seed. Pieces should explore how recreating in a national forest or grassland changed your relationship to the outdoors, challenged previously held views or fostered personal growth. Stories should have a narrative arc and vivid scenes; past examples can be found here and here. Pitches should cover areas outside the Southwest and West Coast. See their submission guidelines for more information. Send pitches to Erin at erinvriley@gmail.com by Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Rate: 💰1,000 words for $1,000.

🌐 Blue Heron seeks skilled interviewers

Blue Heron, a leading investigative research firm, seeks contractors to conduct interviews. The global company uses investigative journalism strategies to examine qualitative issues that drive businesses, such as leadership and culture. Ideal candidates have experience covering business or sector expertise in technology, healthcare, industrials or financials. Language skills are also relevant. 💰 Compensation is typically $250-$300 per interview with most projects needing 5-10 interviews. Send resumes to jobs@blueheronrp.com.

🗞️ Journalism innovation fellowship at Harvard

The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship is open to applicants with project proposals related to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples include: ideas for new revenue streams, the construction of new reporting tools for reporting, or research into news consumption. Candidates must explain how their proposals will benefit the field.💰 Fellows receive a $85,000 stipend, as well as financial support for childcare and health insurance. The deadline is Jan. 31. Learn more and apply here.

🙏 Webinar on religion and climate change reporting

Religion and climate change often intersect, shaping public policy and the future of the planet. That’s why the Religion News Association and Science Communicators of Faith are co-hosting a special webinar on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. ET.: “Solutions Journalism Training: The Environment & Religion.” Rebecca Randall, a certified Solutions Journalism Network trainer, will discuss the basic principles of solutions journalism, as well as strategies for centering the environment when reporting on religion. Learn more and register here.

🏳️‍🌈 Prize for best LGBTQ+ and disability journalism

The Shaufler Prize in Journalism recognizes the best reporting on issues related to underserved people in society, including communities of color, immigrants, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and those with disabilities. The prize is awarded through Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 💰First place receives $10,000, second $3,000 and third place $2,000. Enter by Monday, Dec. 15. Learn more and apply here.

💎 Applications for RJI fellowships open Dec. 1

The Reynolds Institute will open its 2026 fellowships application portal on Dec. 1. Individuals can apply for both residential and remote fellowships focused on practical and innovative community news projects. (IIJ founder KRL used her fellowship to develop the IIJ’s Freelance Quick Start Guide!) 💰Fellows receive between $25,000 and $100,000 funding to support their projects, not including a housing stipend for residential fellows. The deadline for all applicants is Feb. 6, 2026. Learn more here. Still have more questions? Register for RJI’s next Q and A session on Dec. 3

Interesting Reads

📖 Hell Gate turns three with a bang! The worker-owned local news outlet in New York City reported a 69% growth in paid subscribers over the last year in its annual report. If trends continue, they will reach $1,000,000 in annual subscription revenue in the first half of 2026. Nieman Lab reports on the outlet’s growth here.

📖 In the second installment of the Association of Health Care Journalists regular feature “How I Pitched It,” freelancer Nick Keppler shares the successful pitch for a story that ran in July about self-aware narcissists. He discusses the process with AHCJ’s Anna Medaris here, and she even provides some helpful notes on his original pitch. Be sure to read his published story in Slate: “Narcissists aren’t really so bad. Just ask these narcissists.”

📖 In “Inside the Times’s reporting and judgment calls on Charlie Kirk’s assassination,” NYT editors and reporters — including new national editor Nestor Ramos, who appeared at the IIJ’s Business of Freelancing workshop at NAHJ — reflect on the decision making behind their coverage.

Calendar

🗓️ 🚨THIS WEEK🚨 Oct. 10 - The IIJ is presenting a panel on entrepreneurship systems for freelancers at IRE’s AccessFest. Hear from IIJ leaders Lygia Navarro, and Shernay Williams, Editorial Director Ann Marie Awad, and independent journalist Mónica Ortiz Uribe.

🗓️ 🚨NEXT WEEK🚨Oct. 16 - IIJ leader Katherine Lewis will speak in a panel discussion at 10 a.m. ET about piecing together the freelance income puzzle at the Society for Professional Journalists’ MediaFest in Washington, D.C. The IIJ will also lead a panel discussion on building a strong freelance toolkit at 4 p.m. ET.

🗓️ Oct. 16 - Day one of the IIJ’s Business of Freelancing Course. Don’t just survive in your freelance business — thrive. Learn how to identify the best projects for you, how to negotiate successfully with clients, and more. 🚨Register here while seats are still available!🚨

🗓️ 🚨NEXT WEEK🚨Oct. 17 - Free webinar 12 p.m. ET. “Be Heard: Pitching Your Op-Ed.” Speakers include: Corinna Wu, senior editor for opinion and features, Undark; Jhodie-Ann Williams, opinion editor for Bloomberg; and Louie Villalobos, deputy opinion editor for USA Today, with moderator Stephanie Griffith, former CNN opinion editor. RSVP here.

🗓️ Nov. 19 - Free webinar 12 p.m. ET. “Save Time, Money, and Clients with Clear Project Scoping.” Speakers include: Dennis Funk, founder and editorial director of Written in Air, Isis Madrid, co-founder, Pizza Shark, Lushik Lotus-Lee, Atlanta-based freelance producer and editor and moderator John Asante, LA-based independent producer. RSVP here.

🗓️ Dec. 12 - Free webinar 12 p.m. ET. “Build Stable Revenue with Journalism Adjacent Gigs.” Invited speakers include Kim Howard, EMDR International Association, and David Shergalis, Blue Heron Research Partners. RSVP here.

🗓️ Jan. 23 - Free webinar 12 p.m. ET. “How to Pitch High-Profile, National Media.” Invited speakers include Andrew Perez, politics editor for Rolling Stone, Kytja Weir, national editor for KFF Health News, and Genevieve Smith, features editor for New York Magazine. RSVP to claim a spot.

🗓️ Feb. 6 - Free webinar 12 p.m. ET. “Mobile Reporting: Tools for Making Content on the Go.” Presented by freelance journalist Victoria Lim. All IIJ webinars are free to attend, RSVP here.

ICYMI

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