In today's Freelancer in Focus, Laura Miller describes the joys of relocating to be by the beach in Aberystwyth, advises freelancing needs to be a balancing act and explains why she can make a story out of anything.

What do you freelance about?

My freelance career has been wonderfully eclectic so far! (3 years in, after 10 years on staff) And luckily coming back from 3 months travelling in South America I still have a career. I write a lot of consumer case study-led features for the nationals.  Longer in-depth analysis of financial services rules and regulations for ICAEW. Profile pieces and editing cover for the financial trades including Money Marketing, Investment Week and Bridging Loan Directory. Info-blog writing for Pensionbee as well as a guest spot on its podcast. In 6 months I doubled the traffic on the Times Money Mentor site as editor then lead editorial consultant last year. Business unit producer for ITN during the first wave of Covid. Business articles on how we work and start ups for WIRED. I helped design and write a whole e-book on financial wellbeing for Aegon. Also media training agency PRs. 

What are your areas of specialisation?    

I’ve probably written most about pensions but my portfolio is completely wide open and I have covered loads of business and finance stuff about a really broad range of subjects. I’ve covered some aspects of all types of personal finance. As long as it has an interesting human story behind it, I’m interested, whatever the subject.

How much notice do you need to turn round, say, a 1,000-word feature?

Depends how much other work I have on! Maybe a week, ideally longer. The best it can be and the fastest it can be are rarely compatible!

What’s the piece you’re most proud of?

This piece I wrote last year for the Times went from being a heartfelt story of the real financial struggle women disproportionately faced due to Covid to an amazing turnaround Good Samaritan starter, after readers got in touch to offer their own money to help the family. It felt brilliant to have been part of real change if only for one mum and her kids.

Are you happy doing corporate work?

Yes. I’ve done corporate work for Aegon, PensionBee, Tembo, St Modwen’s, Brite Advisors, TaxBriefs.

How can PRs help you with your work?    

Help me find interesting, exclusive case studies.

Journalist awards/financial qualifications?    

When you’ve been a journalist as long as I have you rack up a few but none for a while…guess I should enter more!

You’re probably already busy, but what’s your elevator pitch to commissioning editors?

If I can make 900 words out of 45 minutes of a Huawei PR stonewalling me, I can make a story out of anything.

What advice would you give to a journalist thinking of becoming freelance for the first time?

Accept it will be scary not having a regular wage and accept you’ll need to work hard to alleviate that fear but if you can get those things in balance you’ll get to enjoy some beautiful sunny days.

What’s the commission you’d most like to undertake?

A no holds bar interview with Boris and Carrie Johnson’s housekeeper, preferably several gins in. 

Outside of work, what are your hobbies? 

I have relocated to be by the beach in Aberystwyth for a while and I love going for sea dips (you can’t really call the flapping around I do swimming). It’s not the temperature I got used to in Costa Rica on my travels (yawn) but on a hot day putting your whole body and head under cold salty sea water feels amazing.

What was the last article you read that really shocked you?

That one in the Times that somehow got quickly withdrawn about Carrie Johnson’s unelected influence over us plebs.

If you were to write a headline to sum yourself up, what would it be?

How To Turn Your Woman From Zero To Hero With Just TWO Letters!