In today's Freelancer in Focus, we hear from journalist and consumer rights expert, Helen Dewdney, who explains why journalists should read stories from a wide variety of outlets, and emphasises the importance of keeping your audience engaged throughout.
Website:
What do you freelance about?
Saving money, consumer rights and customer service, variety of case studies.
Do you specialise in any particular areas?
Consumer rights.
What formats do you work across?
Blog, East London Radio – The Complaining Cow Consumer Show, social media, various broadcast and print outlets appearing as expert and writing for print outlets.
How can PRs help you with your work?
Send me exclusive case studies, stories regarding companies not refunding consumers, stories about retail companies not abiding by the rules! Innovation in customer service.
Tell us about the pieces of work you’re most proud of, or any recent highlights?
Publishing three best-selling books and my investigations and co-writing two reports into the ADR sector.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of being freelance financial journalist?
Freedom to choose what you do is great but having to rely on others regarding how much you earn a month can be difficult!
What advice would you give to a new financial journalist?
Read a lot, particularly in any outlet that you would like to write for and join relevant groups on Facebook. Join LightBulb on Facebook for finding case studies.
When you’re telling a story, what’s the most important thing to remember?
Keeping your audience with you so that they read to the end.
What’s the commission you’d most like to undertake?
One with a big word count! I always have so much to say!
What was the last article you read that really shocked you?
Probably has to be about the Post Office scandal which would never have got to be public knowledge without good journalism.
What are your predictions for the main stories that will dominate 2025?
Worldwide Trump, Ukraine and Israel will continue to dominate the headlines as these issues aren't going anywhere.
At home there will be a continued focus on the cost of living and the state of the economy.
If you were up for an award for any hobbies/activities outside of work, what would you be likely to win, and why?
Something along the lines of community or education as I have always volunteered in children’s services and been a school governor for the last 14 years.
Sum up your time as a financial journalist in three words:
Interesting, frustrating, educational.
Finally, if you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My all homemade roast dinner of pork with crackling, herby roast potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower in stilton, cheddar, garlic and herb cheese sauce, sausages in bacon, stuffing, peas and carrots with a rich red wine gravy. Washed down with a bottle of chardonnay!
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