This Course has been specifically designed for you to achieve success in the New Zealand freelance writing market. Many leading New Zealand writers and editors have contributed to bring you their wealth of knowledge about writing for New Zealand media markets. The personal tutor you will be assigned to assist you throughout the Course is a working New Zealand media professional with in-depth knowledge of the freelance writing market that most interests you.

Stated simply, this is a cutting edge, continuously revised Course with many of the New Zealand and world's best writers and editors contributing to give you up-to-the minute information about how to become a successful journalist and writer. This covers three broad areas:

1. How to get story ideas which are practical for you.
2. How to develop these into competent and saleable pieces of writing.
3. How to market your finished material for profit.

No matter the subject matter of your article, the following basics apply to making that article factual, readable and interesting. Each of these areas is comprehensively covered within your Course:

	Coming up with story ideas		Interviewing
	Finding a market		Drafting
	Deciding on your story angle		Writing with structure
	Presenting and selling your idea		Editing
	Researching your idea		Submitting your copy

There is a big secret to freelance writing for profit. Here it is . . . finding success isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here’s another secret. The business of freelance journalism is not about award-winning writing, it’s about competent writing. Newspapers and magazines are constantly on the lookout for competent material. Note we say “competent” – they are not looking for literary masterpieces.

There are thousands and thousands of magazine titles worldwide. This does not take into account websites, metropolitan and regional newspapers, corporate and trade publications and the host of other markets for the freelance writer.

The “Professional Freelance Journalism” Course teaches you every trick of the trade to write for these markets. At the end of this Course you will have the knowledge and skills to write for anyone, on any subject and be paid for your writing efforts.

Some of the Freelance Material Publishers Require

In every area of publishing you will see potential work for the freelance writer. The "Professional Freelance Journalism" Course shows you how to handle all of these assignments and more . . .

	General feature articles		Sports articles		Technical writing and analysis
	Human interest articles		Humour columns		Show business writing
	Personal development articles and regular columns		Personal experience		Food writing
	How-To articles and regular columns		Health and fitness writing		Wine writing
	Travel articles		Medical writing and analysis		Movie reviews

Your Tutor

All tutors are current professional journalists and/or editors. When we receive your Enrolment Application consideration is given to the types of freelance writing that most interest you.

Your personal tutor is chosen on this basis and also geographically. Your tutor will be someone from your region who is familiar with your publishing market.

Throughout your Course you have continual on-line access to your tutor to develop ideas and material relating specifically to the areas of freelance journalism that most interest you.

This might include such work as:

	General interest		Hobby and Craft
	Health and fitness		Travel and/or adventure
	Music and/or Entertainment		Fashion
	Environmental		Sports
	Business and finance		Human interest

It’s your tutor’s job to assess your assignments, develop your writing skills and bring you to a level of professionalism where your Diploma of Professional Freelance Journalism is forthcoming. It’s also your tutor’s job to help you get published during this period.

The “Professional Freelance Journalism” Course is all about writing for profit. Each week, publishers buy hundreds of thousands of words from freelance journalists. Why are these writers successful? Stated simply, because they know how to go about it.

At the outset, it is important to understand that this Course is not simply about the theory of freelance writing. It’s also about being published and paid for your writing efforts.

All magazines rely primarily, if not exclusively, on freelance writers. And, with thousands of blank pages to fill, why not?

Hand in Hand With Your Specially Assigned Tutor

When you first enrol in the “Professional Freelance Journalism” Course you are asked to complete our “Tutor Information Form”. This provides the Academy with valuable information about what you wish to accomplish and the areas of freelance journalism that most interest you.

When you are enroled in the Course you are then assigned a personal tutor. All Academy tutors are professional freelance journalists and editors currently working within the industry.

However, your personal tutor is chosen to best assist you, personally, based on what you hope to achieve from the Course and the areas of journalism in which you wish to specialise.

Please regard your relationship with your tutor as a “partnership”. It’s your tutor’s job to ensure your progress throughout the Course, to work with you until you obtain your Diploma and to ensure you get published. Your tutor will work with you as closely as possible to guarantee you accomplish these goals.

Your one-to-one association with this media professional who has been especially chosen to help your career objectives is one of the great benefits of this Course. You are hand in hand with this chosen professional all the way.

10 Good Reasons to Become a Freelance Journalist

1. You are your own boss. As a freelance writer you’ll enjoy an independence rarely experienced in other professions.
2. Your source of material is endless.
3. You can specialise in your passions.
4. You can work from home. Your costs are miniscule. Your only essential tool is a personal computer.
5. For every story you write, you will learn at least one new fact.
6. For every story you write, you will meet at least one new person.
7. Your hours are flexible. Freelance writing is something you can do part-time. Unless you are out on assignment you can work from home, at the times that best suit you.
8. A hobby can become a career. You can turn any interest you have into profit by being published. And published regularly. Whether it be a sport, craft, hobby or professional experience, readers and editors wish to share your knowledge. If you have a passion for travel, adventure, show business, the arts, health and fitness, food or finance you can turn this into a money-making pursuit. Similarly if you have a professional skill, readers would like to hear from you.
9. There is no such thing as a "typical" freelance writer. In fact, many freelance writers didn't set out deliberately on this course. Instead, they entered the industry because they felt they had something to say - usually about a subject for which they have a passion. School teachers, trades people, nurses, secretaries, business people, IT specialists . . . competent freelance writers come from all fields.
10. Part-time freelance writing is a path to full-time employment as a full-time freelance or staff journalist. If you are looking for employment in the media industry the first question any editor will ask is: "What have you had published previously". This is your most important qualification. Freelance writing quickly builds your all-important portfolio of published material. This can serve as your stepping-stone into mainstream media.

What’s Special about This Course

There are two special benefits to this Course:

1. The “Professional Freelance Journalism” Course does not focus on the theory of freelance writing. The focus is the practical aspects of getting published and being paid for your efforts.
2. The Course is unique in its up-to-the-minute content. The principles of freelance writing are similar the world over. However your tutor will have an in-depth and intimate knowledge of the market for which you wish to write – and what it requires today.

This Course is intended for anyone with an interest in writing and/or photojournalism. It’s also designed for people with no previous writing experience. In fact, we encourage beginning writers. Why? Simply because the world’s media constantly needs new material and new talent.

Remember, there is much more to most publications than simply “news”. In fact, the feature articles, the human interest stories, the interviews, the reviews, the columns and the quirky are the backbone of all publications.

So, where are good stories and photographs likely to be found? The answer is everywhere. Often in the most unlikely places. Editors cannot hope to unearth this interesting new material using staff alone.

Your work, your skills, your hobbies and interests are also great avenues to freelance success. Readers want to share your experiences and specialist knowledge. Even the do-it-yourself home improver has an interesting story to tell to other would-be renovators.

What’s Required On Your Part?

So, what’s required of you to become a professional freelance writer capable of handling any and all assignments? The requirements are simple and straightforward:

1. Ambition
2. Enthusiasm
3. The willingness to learn

If you have these qualities the Morris Journalism Academy will provide you with the knowledge and skills to ensure your success.

There are no rules to being a freelance journalist. You don’t have to be gifted, you don’t need any specialised skill or qualification. Your success relies almost entirely on knowing how to “go about it”.

Most newspapers and magazines throughout the New Zealand and the world rely on contributions from freelance writers. However, as you'll discover, the demand for your writing skills doesn't end here. There is a range of other lucrative freelance work to be obtained.

Where The Jobs Are

Almost everywhere you see words used, you will see a potential job for the freelance writer. Some of these opportunities include:

	Consumer magazines		Ghost writing
	Metropolitan and regional newspapers		Corporate publications
	Websites		Advertising copy writing
	Community newspapers		e-books, newsletters and blogs
	Trade magazines		Press releases
	Technical writing		Copy editing
	Annual reports		Club and association journals
	Internet Magazines		Radio programming
	Speech writing		On-line
	Sub editing		Non-fiction books

As you’ll discover, there are literally hundreds of profitable freelance writing opportunities to be had.

By the time you complete this Course, you will have an intimate knowledge of all aspects of freelance journalism. This goes far beyond simply putting words on paper. It also means developing your story ideas through to the important business side of marketing your professional skills and being paid for your efforts.

What's more, you'll be learning about the industry from the inside, benefiting from the accumulated knowledge of many of today's most successful freelance writers, journalists and editors. Remember, like yourself, every one of these media professionals was once a complete beginner.

What You Can Hope To Achieve

As you’ll discover, freelance writing offers a unique opportunity for working independence and, at the same time, the chance to flex your creativity and indulge your passions. And, you are being paid to do so!

Becoming a freelance journalist can involve you in such areas as:

	Travel		Business and finance
	Fashion		Home Improvement
	Sports		Personal development
	Music and entertainment		Health and fitness
	Movies and show business		Food, wine and restaurants
	Internet

Freelance writing is undeniably a lot of fun. And, it can also bring you widespread recognition, perhaps even fame and fortune. This is one of the few professions that does not discriminate in any way. You can be of any age, sex, race or religion and become a successful freelance writer.

This craft does not require a university degree or other academic qualifications. Once you know what the market requires you have a highly profitable skill. By definition you become a professional writer with your first sale. Be prepared for one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life.

There is also the quiet but undeniable pleasure of seeing your name and material in print. And, of providing information and pleasure to your readers. Or, of providing public recognition to those who deserve it and sometimes assistance to those who need it. You’ll also discover that being a freelance writer gives you status. And, the very nature of your work also puts you in contact with endless people of interest - people who are worth writing about.

Freelance writing is an adventure limited only by your own ambition and interest - qualities which will be further developed throughout your Course.

5 More Good Reasons To Do This Course

1. At the outset, you receive the benefit of literally hundreds of years of knowledge and experience from current industry professionals. Their insider secrets will immediately place you years ahead of any other beginning writer.
2. At the successful completion of your Course, you are entitled to accreditation with our parent company, International News Syndicate. This accreditation leads to the promotion of your material and your accredited Media Pass from INS. This Pass can open many doors for you.
3. When you graduate, the International News Syndicate will also promote your material world-wide. This service is free for the first year after which INS receives a small commission.
4. Once you complete the Course, you can earn money doing what you like doing anyway - being involved in the subjects that interest you . Editors are hungry for competent material and will pay for it. All magazines and newspapers have empty pages to fill. This Course shows you how to go about helping fill them.
5. You'll also find your Course loads of fun.

Here are some other reasons to consider taking the exciting step of becoming a freelance writer:

• Your passions: If you have a deep interest in any subject, chances are this subject will interest others. You can turn this passion into profit. Why not work in the areas that most interest you? And, why not get paid for doing what you enjoy?
• Self-esteem: As a freelance journalist, you’ll discover you enjoy a special standing within the community. People are interested in what you do.
• Independence: You can work for yourself, you can usually determine your own working schedule and you can also choose the type of work that most interests you.
• Profit: Freelance writers are usually well paid. At the same time, overheads are miniscule and you can work from anywhere.

Your Diploma

The Morris Journalism Academy Diploma of “Professional Freelance Journalism” is awarded to successful graduates of this Course.

Your Diploma officially recognises your qualifications as a freelance journalist and your successful completion of this course of studies.

The practical knowledge and experience you will have acquired throughout this Course is also of great importance. At the end of your Course, you will have acquired a level of skill where you feel comfortable tackling any freelance assignment.

Your New Credentials

At the successful conclusion of your Course you are automatically entitled to accreditation with our parent company, the International News Syndicate.

This accreditation places you on our published on-line register of freelance writers and other media providers.

Your completed material is featured on our web pages for editors to buy and download. This accreditation can also possibly lead to other valuable commissioned assignments from freelance buyers who want contributions from a specific region or of a specific nature.

In addition, you automatically receive the International News Syndicate “Media Pass”. This Pass identifies you as a freelance journalist and provides an important tool in the course of your work.

You’ll also find your Media Pass can open many doors for you. For example, you can reasonably expect professional discounts on many of your expenses including equipment, travel and accommodation.

What Accreditation Brings You

• The promotion of your material worldwide.
• Your own web listing with INS.
• The opportunity for commissioned assignments from editors who need your services because of your media specialty or the region in which you operate.
• On Assignment, our monthly on-line newsletter providing new writing opportunities, who wants what and how much they are paying, contact and comment from editors, copywriting techniques, professional marketing guidelines and much more.