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Journalism’s free market

September 9th, 2005 by mhjones

Last night I enjoyed the surreal experience of having drinks with other IT journalists who picked up the tab. A group of Australian freelance tech journos called The Freelunchers threw the party down at a bar at Sydney’s King Street Wharf to say thanks to the editors who keep them off the streets. (Thanks guys!) To people outside the media industry, it was an unusual night because it’s usually the PRs or an IT vendor that’s does the schmoozing.

The night also served to remind me that the Australian IT media industry supports at least 20 freelancers – it could me more (can anyone correct me?). Regardless, I’d be interested to know if the number of freelance IT journos outnumber the full time IT journos and editors employed by the papers and trade publishers.

Let’s take that idea a step further. My former editor-in-chief at InfoWorld used to argue that a market is greater than two and less than 10. I wonder, as did one of the freelancers I yakked with, what will happen as the ranks continue to swell? Looking at other markets, when the number of participants reaches saturation, consolidation inevitably follows. This one journo I spoke with said he’s making sure at least 50 percent of his freelance work is tech-focussed, despite his interest in general news and freature reporting. The reason? If there is consolidation, then he wants to make sure editors like yours truly keeps him top of mind when it comes to commissioning stories.

The flip-side to this musing of mine is that rather than proposing the negative consolidation angle (ie job losses) will actually happen, I wonder what The Freelunchers group symbolises beyond an obvious affinity for (and worthy pursuit of) free beer and lunch. Could it be the makings of some loosely federated organisation that sub-contracts to the media? Do they suspect the market pendulum will eventually swing back to full-time employment?

Oh, and by the way, did I mention that we are looking for an editor? :) Today’s Financial Review carries an ad on page 60 for the Editor of MIS Magazine, who will report to yours truly. It’s a great opportunity to join the Fin’s IT editorial staff, since this magazine is now produced directly by the AFR. Rather than send me email, please apply online at http://careers.fairfax.com.au/

Tagged: Aussie media
Comments: 6 Comments »

6 Responses to “Journalism’s free market”

  1. Simon Sharwood Says:
    September 9th, 2005 at 3:13 pm

    First up: thanks for coming, Mark!

    By my reckoning there are about 25 people whose livelihoods are predominantly dependent on freelance IT journalism. There would be double that at least on salaries.

    In any given month one or two staffers “go freelance.” IMHO they are often younger folks who want a break from fulltime work to either relax or pursue other interests.

    Most churn back into a fulltime role within six months.

    The “serious” ranks tend to grow at about one a year and make it work by doing the things editors crave: deliver good ideas, and then clean well-researched copy on deadline. We ask for work instead of relying on mates to keep us afloat and set income goals instead of just covering the rent and topping up the beer money jar. And sure we diversify. Publishing is a notoriously unstable business. We’d be mad not to try to have a broad revenue base.

    I’m not sure we are a classic “market,” though. Although we do compete, it is not as if editors prosper by using one of us exclusively. There’s no competitive advantage in using me vs. another freeluncher!

    Instead it’s the diversity of experience; style and expertise on offer that lets us all make a living.

    I also agree with Phil Sim’s analysis that the industry has to a degree become dependent on a large freelance pool.

    Senior writers’ salaries mean that keeping one on staff costs at least $100k a year including on-costs.

    Why cop that fixed cost when a freelancer can write a feature a week for $1000?

    And why limit your publication to a single voice and a single perspective when there are 20 experienced people to give your publication variety?

    A pool of freelancers cuts costs and adds diversity, welcome benefits!

    And the role of the Freelunchers? Any worker enjoys the sounding board of their peers. The Freelunchers group is nothing more than that, IMHO, for a group of people who work alone and therefore seek out other ways to share peers’ experiences.

    The fact we have organised a Yahoo! Group and a party is about creating a community for ourselves. None of us has, to the best of my knowledge, suggested any sort of joint commercial venture. The idea of some kind of cartel is laughable!

  2. Mark Jones Says:
    September 9th, 2005 at 4:34 pm

    Simon: Ah, but I can think of at least one editor who gains a substantial advantage from a set of loyal, experienced freelancers. I wouldn’t be so quick to argue all freelunchers are equal in the eyes of editors… ;)

  3. Simon Sharwood Says:
    September 9th, 2005 at 4:44 pm

    Fairy nuff. Some editors will work with a select band of freelancers they can use as a “virtual staff” who are sufficiently inculcated into the ways of that publication that there is an efficiency dividend of some sort. There’s competitive advantage there.

    Of course many business feel it prudent to conduct periodic reviews of their suppliers to ensure they really are getting the best goods and/or services on the market. Should editors be any different? In that case perhaps we are more of a classic market.

    We are certainly not all equal. I’m not the person to write a motherboard review! But if an editor were to invest in a good brief, perhaps they’d get an interesting new style of motherboard review that would make their magazine stand out to readers and advertisers alike. Now that would be competitive advantage!

  4. Rob Irwin Says:
    September 10th, 2005 at 3:53 pm

    I was really looking forward to the evening, but had to dip out with tonsilitis. Even without having gone, I can say that it’s a great idea to meet with the valued editors and PR folk in that kind of environment – so here’s to many more. Hope I get invited back ;)

  5. Brad Howarth Says:
    September 15th, 2005 at 10:10 am

    For a while now I’ve been fascinated by the so-called Hollywood model, of assembling large groups of talented people for short term projects (ie, a film), then having the whole thing disband with everyone moving on to different things. I’m seeing more and more of this sort of activity among freelancers in the marketing industry – starting with loose affiliations of people who will pass work along to others when they are too busy or not sufficently interested (and give recommendations to others when a job doesn’t match their talents), through to the one-off creation of an 12 person campaign team composed entirely of freelancers. Could tihs work in journalism? I’ve chucked a fair amount of work along to others when I haven’t been able to take it on myself, and have even had discussions with someone about the possiblity of creating an entirely freelance magazine – no full time staff and possibly even no office space … it’s not impossible (although would be a nightmare to manage …).

  6. Rob Irwin Says:
    September 15th, 2005 at 3:27 pm

    That would be a fascinating concept Brad. Everyone freelance… the designers, salespeople, the lot. Given the overheads of an office, regular salaries, super, etc, the overheads saved would be substantial – a greater profit share for the team that makes the book. Again… fascinating idea.

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