I am a journalist who draws on over thirty years of print and online experience to offer a range of website and editorial services.
You get calm, organised, speedy and friendly services in these fields:
• WordPress website/blog builds, with training and support if needed. Add-ons include social media services, content production and basic SEO.
• Audits of existing websites; writing content for websites.
• Online web work (curation, news copy editing, day-to-day management; project management, superior headlines, consulting on management of online teams and production systems).
• Editing, proofreading and writing (specialise in journalism, literature, fantasy, food and crafts)
• Training – a wide range of editorial and production modules are available.
WHAT’S MY NICHE?
The accepted wisdom about freelancing is that it is better to specialise than to offer a wide range of generalist services. Walt Kania sums it up well:
Yes. Specialists always do better. There is no debating this. I can’t think of any freelancer who made it big as a handyman. The world already has plenty of all-purpose copywriters, versatile translators, general web designers and utility infielders. Don’t jump into that haystack. You will be lost forever … you stake out your private territory, even if it’s the size of a beach towel, and then own it. You’re not trying to cover all bases, appeal to everyone, do everything. You have your thing.
Looking at the list of services I offer it does seem as though I am ignoring this tried-and-tested rule. But look more closely… there is actually only one thing there: 30 years of editorial experience. I offer what seems to be a wide range of general services. But actually what you are getting is my brain and my hands and my speed and my knowledge. Applied any which way you want.
MY EXPERIENCE
• A BA (Hons) degree in English, Psychology and Literary Theory and a high school teaching diploma. I obtained my Honours degree and teaching diploma at the University of Cape Town, and my BA at the then University of Port Elizabeth. That means: high-level English language skills, research ability, analytical thinking and a proper understanding of education.
• Five years reporting experience on the Cape Times, a morning newspaper in Cape Town. That means writing ability, on-the-ground reporting experience and an understanding of how news is gathered.
• 10 years print editing experience on the Cape Argus, Cape Town’s afternoon newspaper. That means the ability to cut and cobble stories, headline writing skills and page layout experience. Since I was eventually promoted to deputy chief sub, it also lay the groundwork for management skills and was the start of my training practice (I was part of a training team for a big content management system change).
• Three years freelancing experience, in which I ran a parenting website, did copy editing for magazines and proof-read non-fiction books. That means the obvious editing skills, but also experience in running my own business.
• 10 years online editing experience at Independent Online, starting in 1999 and running through to 2016 (with a break to have a baby and do the above-mentioned freelancing). That means: I was in at the beginning of online news in South Africa and in those years at IOL I did every kind of thing that might be involved in online news: copy editing, writing, management, project work, training. I ran entertainment and lifestyle websites for many years, in addition to my other duties. I was part of various management and executive teams and have a solid understanding of online business strategy.
• I am that rare thing: a journalist who likes to understand the technical underpinnings of what I do. I have taught myself several content management systems, have dabbled in coding and have recently built several standard WordPress sites: the one you are looking at, The Books Page, Wordchest and Atlantic City TV.
• I have done courses in social media, SEO and project management.
• I have a long-standing marriage and a teenage son – and have found those emotional journeys very useful in informing my work life.
Professional Memberships
