Comments on: You can be a journalist without a job at a mainstream news organization

By: Reinventing a journalism career, again « Ink-Drained Kvetch

Reinventing a journalism career, again « Ink-Drained Kvetch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:04:16 +0000

[...] there. But where to start? Especially for a mid-career journalist. Here are a few ideas from someone who’s been there. “None of these gigs involve working full-time for a big media company. What was it exactly [...]

By: Reinventing a journalism career, again « Ink-Drained Kvetch

Reinventing a journalism career, again « Ink-Drained Kvetch — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:08:18 +0000

[...] sounds great. Where to start? Here are a few ideas from someone who’s been there. “None of these gigs involve working full-time for a big media company. What was it exactly [...]

By: Tomorrow’s News, Tomorrow’s Journalists » Blog Archive » Young journalists challenged to work outside of mainstream media

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:44:07 +0000

[...] There are other options, though. Ryan Sholin outlined great examples for digital natives doing journalism outside of MSM. [...]

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:06:15 +0000

I’m freelance, but I’ve been lucky to get long-term contracts as opposed to relying on sending out endless queries only to get endless rejection letters.

Oh, and I share half my expenses with someone else. And own a bike instead of a car.

Let’s face it, though. Even with a “real” newspaper job, you’re lucky to be making as much as someone who’s put in a few years at Wal-Mart, especially in the beginning.

By: Pat Thornton

Pat Thornton — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:39:46 +0000

Health insurance is a big deal. When you are young, however, it’s not that expensive to go private.

I have health and vision for under $170 a month with a good PPO with prescription drug coverage.

But, add in age and kids, and it would skyrocket. The health care situation in the U.S. makes it difficult to freelance full time, but when you are young it is easily doable.

Stay in shape and in watch your health. Those two things will help make private insurance a lot more affordable.

By: Bryan Murley

Bryan Murley — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:27:01 +0000

The health insurance issue is a big one, and not one I’d recommend people take lightly. Health insurance in the U.S. is super expensive for an individual and will be an enormous drag on anyone who tries to go solo. And while it’s more possible to go “naked” (i.e., without health insurance) while you’re young, start adding children to that mix, and some form of health coverage is crucial.

By: Por conta própria | On your own « O Lago | The Lake

Por conta própria | On your own « O Lago | The Lake — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:19:32 +0000

[...] “You can be a journalist without a job at a mainstream news organization”, Ryan Sholin [...]

By: Brian Donohue

Brian Donohue — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:31:56 +0000

Good points – but I have a good friend who is doing all of the above – and very, very well. As well as anyone, really, but he still needs his wife’s salary to carry the mortgage. And my wife is a sculptor so that’s not going to be an option for me.

By: Digidave

Digidave — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:09:35 +0000

I 100% agree. Part of Spot.Us is to see if/how journalists can do good work and sustain themselves outside a mainstream news organization.

It obviously won’t be easy – but if you make a name for yourself as the cities journalist for hire and you do good work, I believe it could happen.

Freelancing is a full-time job (I freelanced for years), but it is possible.

By: Daniel Sato

Daniel Sato — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:04:26 +0000

I have to say. Even though I am out of “journalism,” I still approach my work the same way and feel good about the organization that I am working for.