‘How I became an international freelance journalist’

Patrick Egwu is an award-winning freelance journalist based in Nigeria who has written for many international publications including  African Arguments, International Journalists’ Network [IJNet], Global Investigative Journalism Network [GIJN], Ozy, BRIGHT Magazine, Scrap magazine, Ft’s This is Africa, National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report, Catholic Herald and Jewish Women Archive.

In this interview with Media Career Development Network, Egwu shares his experiences and what journalists need to do to enhance their career.

You are well known as a freelance journalist, tell us more about your journalism background

I started my professional journalism practice in May 2016 as a freelance reporter for THISDAY newspaper under the editorial guide of Christopher Isiguzo, the current president of the Nigeria Union of Journalist [NUJ]. Two months later in July, I was appointed as state correspondent for Orient Daily – a fast-growing newspaper based in Anambra state, South-East Nigeria.

Before this time, I had worked for some radio stations and publications on a freelance basis especially during my undergraduate studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka [UNN] as a way of building on my journalism skills and experience. In 2015, during my National Youth Service Corps [NYSC] in Abeokuta, Ogun state, I was a reporter and presenter for Rock City FM – the first private radio station in the state.

Working with Mr Dele Ayodo, a veteran journalist at the station, I gained a lot of journalism experience and the opportunity to do special reports and conducted several interviews on popular political actors in the country for the bulletin show “Face the Nation.” I had my internship at Radio Nigeria between 2012 and 2013. As an intern and getting attached with senior reporters during field assignments, I learned some basic journalism skills that later became very useful in my career.

In July 2013, I was elected as the deputy editor of Record – a campus publication of the Department of Mass Communication at UNN. In the same year, I was appointed the editor of Echo magazine – another campus magazine and then editor-at-large of Cozzy magazine which I started with five classmates and friends during the six-months general strike action by Nigerian universities in 2013. From 2013 – 2014, I was the campus correspondent for Voice FM.

How did you become a freelance journalist that has written for many international platforms?

I felt I needed a global platform to tell the Nigerian story of marginalized communities and an opportunity to tell stories that I’m passionate about – stories that would empower people in what they do. I longed to do stories that would cause real policy changes and a platform that would help in changing the narratives.

My first article as a freelance journalist appeared on African Arguments on March 8, 2017 and I have gone ahead to write for other publications such as the International Journalists’ Network [IJNet], Global Investigative Journalism Network [GIJN], Ozy, BRIGHT Magazine, Scrap magazine, Ft’s This is Africa, National Catholic Reporter, Global Sisters Report, Catholic Herald, Jewish Women Archive among others.

However, I must confess that beginning as a freelance journalist is always tough because most of the times, your pitches might get snubbed or rejected by foreign editors and it isn’t a wonderful experience as a beginner. Editors receive hundreds of pitches every week and might have rejected your pitch because they are not focusing on the theme of your pitch or maybe, it just isn’t fit for their publication at the moment.

Each publication or media outlet has target areas or topics they frequently cover or write about, so your pitches must be in those lines; else you stand a chance of receiving “Pitch us next time” or “Goodluck in finding another home for your pitch” emails whenever you pitch. It’s really crazy sometimes but the secret is that you don’t give up when you get those rejection emails or when an editor uses a less-motivating word to reject your pitch. You pitch different story ideas to as many editors as you can reach.

If you pitch ten editors, seven are likely to reject your pitches but the remaining three might come with some good news. That’s how it works basically for me and other freelance reporters you have around. In fact, as a freelance journalist, you have to be at home with rejection emails.

What does it take to be an international freelance journalist like you and some others?

First, you need to have some basic journalism skills of writing good stories, editing, taking good photos and multimedia skills too. Many [if not all] foreign media houses apply these skills in their reports and to take the lead or get your editors hooked to the idea you are selling, you need to have these skills.

However, you must not have all these skills before you get started as a freelance journalist but it gives you an advantage when you can do videos and write good copies or use infographics and digital illustrations to make your stories more meaningful to readers. Good news: You can always learn on the job by getting enrolled in a video or writing class or joining in webinar and webchat sessions which are all free online. Second, you need to carve a niche for yourself as a journalist. Which area or speciality do you want to cover or be known for: Health, conflict, development, education, conservation, politics, regional development, culture, business?

If you don’t have any, you can create one. You need to have specific areas of coverage so that when your name is mentioned, someone will immediately identify you with that. My reporting is at the intersection of conflict, global health, education and how these impact on development. Also, as a freelance journalist, be ready to get your pitches or story ideas rejected by foreign editors. But that’s okay. Don’t take it personally. I don’t think there is any freelance journalist out there who hasn’t gone down this line.

However, an important consideration is knowing how to pitch well. I think it’s a skill that any beginner needs to learn and there are lots of online resources on learning how to write a good pitch that editors will find difficult to reject. Many renowned freelancers, editors have written and published a how-to-pitch guide. Media outlets too have pitching guides that you can find on their websites and this is usually the first step before you pitch them.

Like I said earlier, editors receive hundreds of pitches from freelancers all around the world. If your pitch is not what can grab an editor’s attention at a glance, then it might end up in the recycle bin. Again, if your pitch is something an editor in New York, London or Berlin can ask a journalist in those places to do, then it won’t work for them. Thus the reason you need to make your pitch unique that an editor can hardly resist but to commission you because he needs voices and experts’ comments from your end.

You also need to build relationships and connect with other freelancers who can offer useful tips on how to get around; and always keep in touch. This has helped me a lot. You can attend hangouts, media events and meet-ups where freelancers regularly show up and share experiences and ideas with them. You need to also build a portfolio and good social media profile. It serves as a selling point to potential editors on what you do, what you have done and what you can do. An editor has reached out to me because of a story I did and tweeted via my Twitter handle. Most importantly, I believe as a freelance journalist, you need to challenge yourself to take up new roles or tasks.

What has been your experience working for international media organisations from Nigeria?

It has been a rewarding experience because I’ve had the opportunity to write for some big publications and learn from some great foreign editors and colleagues what it takes to be an international freelance journalist.

Specifically, James Wan, the editor of African Arguments who published my first story as a freelance journalist is a great guy with his amazing editing styles. He has taught me how to go from the general to the specifics in my stories – focusing on issues that readers would like to read and suggesting better angles.

My friend and award-winning Nigerian-American freelance journalist, Chika Oduah has been very supportive in my progress as a freelance journalist. She has provided me with lots of resources and opportunities and linked me up with foreign and local editors for story projects. Each time we meet is another opportunity to talk about my career, freelancing and how to make progress.

Also, building a good relationship with your editors’ matters a lot because some of the recommendations you will get in your career going forward are likely to come from them. This, to a large extent, depends on the relationship you build with them. I have got some of these recommendations from the editors that I have worked with. Sometime last year, I got an email from an editor of a children’s magazine in the UK. Surprisingly, I was recommended to him by an editor I had worked with in the past and this shows you how the circle revolves. As a freelance journalist operating mostly from Nigeria, I have also had the opportunity to do stories that I am passionate about conflict, health, education, business and other development issues.

What is your advice to journalists to survive the changing global media landscape?

Every journalist has to be in tune with modern journalism trends in order to stay afloat or become relevant in today’s changing media landscape. We have left the analogue trends of practising journalism and presently operating in a digital era with the practice of mobile journalism [MoJo], drone journalism, algorithms, multimedia journalism and Artificial Intelligence.

However, journalists who don’t know the latest digital trends that will enhance their work or who are not tech-savvy will find it difficult to compete or collaborate with their colleagues from around the world. Media houses around the world are adopting the latest tools and digital technologies that help them navigate the industry and reach the largest possible audience.

Similarly, any journalist that aims to go far in the profession must constantly shop and explore all resources and opportunities at his disposal. There are lots of these opportunities for journalists out there to advance their careers and become leaders in their newsrooms. Interestingly, Media Career Development Network and other websites frequently advertise these opportunities. But it takes time, patience and effort to grab these opportunities. First, you need to work on yourself and your capabilities as a journalist so that when an opportunity comes calling, you’d be ready to grab it. A single opportunity can land you a big gig, create a path for you and change your life forever as a journalist.

Any other thing you think Nigerian journalists and media organisations should know?

It’s heartwarming to know that most Nigerian journalists are exploring and grabbing global media opportunities whenever they come up and getting trained by organisations on how to learn the latest skills and become better in their career. Despite the huge population of journalists in Nigeria, there’s hardly any competitive journalism prize, fellowship or exchange programme that comes up without a Nigerian journalist winning, participating in it or being shortlisted.

This goes to tell you that the generation of journalists we have presently are daring and hungry for opportunities that would change their lives. I must say that it is also important to collaborate with fellow journalists [local and international] on story projects or grants. This is one of the ways you can succeed and make great impact.

There are lots of journalists around the world searching for fellow journalists to collaborate with on a grant application or story projects for maximum impact. A foreign journalist in the United States, Canada, or Germany, for example, will be willing to collaborate with a local journalist in Nigeria for a story on Boko Haram, herders’ conflicts, an outbreak of cholera in Northern Nigeria or the eviction of Makoko residents in Lagos by the government. The reason is simple: The local journalist is already on the ground and will be very resourceful in gathering materials for the collaboration.

The importance of this is that you and your work will receive global visibility and relevance. Hostwriter, an organization based in Berlin, Germany, connects more than 4000 journalists from over 140 countries across the world to collaborate on journalism projects. This is a great resource for any journalist aiming to work with fellow journalists around the world in doing stories that create impact. In July 2018, I joined Hostwriter and in September won the Pitch Prize which comes with a grant to do a cross-border story on Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] with colleagues in Kenya and Senegal.

This single collaboration has exposed me to things I didn’t know before and opened up a new world of opportunities for me. I encourage Nigerian journalists to join the network. Nigeria media organisations should do more to encourage and motivate their reporters. This is the only way to make them deliver on set goals and tasks. For example, many journalists in Nigeria are poorly paid with lack of insurance or adequate welfare packages to carry on. These journalists are expected to cover dangerous assignments with no insurance cover or adequate security training. Sadly, some of these journalists are owed salaries for months by their employers.

It is well understood that there is a growing decline in terms of revenue for media houses and cuts in adverts by companies but the stipend that journalists receive as salary should always be paid when due to enable them first, fix their needs before thinking of a story idea to work on. You need financial sanity to be able to perform as a journalist.