The Institute for Independent Journalists

10/12/2026

Why become an IIJ member? Because you get exclusive access to our growing library of pitch guides, which gives you the inside scoop on pitching the New York Times, Mother Jones, USA Today, and many more outlets!

Join the IIJ today! Sign up now! Since 2022, the IIJ has served independent journalists of color with free and low-cost programming designed by and for entrepreneurs. Our time-tested methods incorporate the changing industry landscape and connect freelancers with gatekeepers. An IIJ membership keeps...

10/11/2026

Find yourself freelancing but not sure where to begin? The IIJ’s Freelance Quick Start Guide provides a customized springboard for free: https://www.soundpath.co/course/freelance-quick-start-guide

10/09/2026

This fall, the IIJ launched paid memberships. Founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis explains how the idea came out of the community’s need for responsive support and what’s included in membership.

Listen to her explanation of benefits, and sign up now for discounts to classes, free access to webinars and pitch guides, first access to Pitch the Editor sessions, and members-only monthly meetups.

Sign up today here: https://theiij.com/membership.

Questions? Email [email protected].

10/07/2026

Reporters are building their own platforms by publishing videos, newsletters, and more. How are they earning income? Join us on Jan 22 for a webinar featuring sustainability strategies of creator journalists like Garnet Henderson, Monique Madan, and Serena Maria Daniels, in a conversation led by journalist Kirsten Garriss. Register here: https://bit.ly/4y4Lvyu

10/07/2026

Journalist Kavitha Cardoza considers her ongoing reporting crucial to teaching journalism effectively at University of Richmond. “I need to know when I’m editing them,” she says, “what it’s like to get an edit.” Hear the whole conversation on the Freelance Journalism Podcast:

We’re sharing a highlight from the 2026 IIJ Freelance Conference: K...

10/06/2026

Offrange editor Jesse Hirsch looks for agriculture stories, but his definition of the beat is very broad. For example, he published a freelance story on an Indiana forest managed by the U.S. Navy. To find out why, listen to the whole conversation on the latest episode of the Freelance Journalism Podcast https://youtu.be/vc-a8vcju-U

10/05/2026

The IIJ’s Business of Freelancing course returns this fall! IIJ leaders Emma Carew Grovum and Shernay Williams help you create a roadmap to a more sustainable freelance career. Register by Oct 8. for just $299, but hurry! Seats are limited! https://theiij.com/bizfa26

10/05/2026

An IIJ membership is much more than just another subscription. It’s your key to thriving in today’s challenging news environment. Looking for liability coverage? Tips for pitching the Times or the Margin? What about coaching from seasoned freelancers who know their way around a contract? Or monthly community strategy sessions where you can problem solve with peers? We’ve got all of that and so much more. Learn more and become a member today

Join the IIJ today! Sign up now! Since 2022, the IIJ has served independent journalists of color with free and low-cost programming designed by and for entrepreneurs. Our time-tested methods incorporate the changing industry landscape and connect freelancers with gatekeepers. An IIJ membership keeps...

10/04/2026

The Institute for Independent Journalists wants to make it easier to hit the ground running as a freelancer. That’s why we created the Freelance Quick-Start Guide – an interactive online course covering the basics of sustainable freelancing for absolute beginners. Take it for a free test drive: https://www.soundpath.co/course/freelance-quick-start-guide

10/02/2026

Take the guesswork out of freelance journalism, and register for the IIJ’s Business of Freelancing course! Tackle the thorniest challenges freelancers face, from determining rates to managing your time. Learn more: https://theiij.com/bizfa26