We’re excited to announce the return of the Institute for Independent Journalists’ Business of Freelancing course! Learn rate setting, marketing, and finding clients, and receive priceless mentorship from independent journalists and entrepreneurs Emma Carew Grovum and Nicki Mayo.
Over eight weeks, you’ll learn:
The 3 P’s modelⓒ of structuring a freelance portfolio and what to negotiate for in addition to higher pay.
Effective networking, recruiting anchor clients, identifying your brand and niche, and when to say no.
A range of organization, time management, and mental health strategies
This transformative curriculum has helped journalists break into new publications, master their budgets and cash flow, and enjoy the freedom in freelancing. Don’t just take our word for it, see what previous students have to say:
“The course helped me to think about the ways I was working that have been holding me back from potentially scoring more clients and charging what I am worth. It has helped me understand when and why to raise rates and how to be confident in doing so.” - Tracey Cheung
“I feel enabled and empowered through this course, which has given me a ginormous and incredibly necessary boost in self-worth.” - Christina Feist
“The best professional development experience I’ve had since journalism grad school.” - Sindy Nanclares
Join Emma and Nicki for live, interactive Zoom classes on Thursdays at 3 pm ET from April 2 through May 21, with occasional lessons from IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis. Join an informational webinar about the course on Tuesday, March 3 at 3 pm ET, to hear from IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis and ask any questions you have about freelancing. Register for the webinar here.
Register before March 13 to save $50 with early bird pricing: only $199 for eight weeks of classes and feedback on homework! The class is limited to 30 participants so you’ll receive individual attention and freelance troubleshooting. This course sells out every time it’s offered, so don’t wait to grab your spot!
Learn more and register here.
About the instructors:
Emma Carew Grovum is the founder of Kimbap Media, working at the intersection of journalism, technology, and audience. She holds a Cornell University certificate in Building a Diverse Workforce, completed leadership programs at Yale and Poynter, and participated in CUNY’s 2025 AI Lab for Leaders. Emma has previously served as director, careers and culture, at The Marshall Project, and assistant managing editor of The Daily Beast. Prior roles include the New York Times, Foreign Policy, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and The Star Tribune.
Nicki Mayo runs Nicki Mayo News, an audio/video company specializing in video, podcast and social media campaign production for small businesses, civic groups and faith-based organizations. The Baltimore native and Syracuse University alumna is: editor-at-large for Black Women Unmuted, a correspondent for TV One and a journalism adjunct professor at George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. Nicki has worked to launch several news orgs including: Spectrum News 1 Buffalo, The List and Crofton Patch. She has also worked as a reporter, producer and manager for: Associated Press Radio and AP’s Race and Ethnicity Team, The Philadelphia Tribune, WAMU, WJHL-TV 11, SNN News, CTV 76, BET News and WAER-FM.
We’re so grateful to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, whose support makes this course possible!
