Coffee morning: Pitch & Deal

HOW TO GET commissioning editors’ interest in your idea – and then how to negotiate the best price they’re willing to offer…

That’s doing the deal, but definitely not in a D Trump confrontational way!

We’ll also touch on rights/usage/copyright, payment terms and how to address late payment, expenses and… whatever you care to ask.

“We” are LFB training officer Mariam Elsaieh, treasurer Sophia Akram and committee member/long-time “Pitch & Deal” trainer Phil Sutcliffe – all experienced freelances… but glad to hear from you about your approaches because P&D is a think-on-your-feet, horses-for-courses skill and anything that works for you might work for someone else!

Do bring a pitch of your own if you’d like it critiqued “on air” or later.

And even if you can’t make it do check out https://www.londonfreelance.org/rates and https://www.londonfreelance.org/feesguide

This P&D session is mainly for writers/reporters although the basics work in all settings. Photographer/videograpers' session planned by branch for later…

This meeting is open to London Freelance Branch members only: if you are a member and do not receive an invitation shortly before the event please email events@londonfreelance.org

When joining via Zoom, please ensure your display name shows your real name. For assistance with this, please see: https://www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2007zoom.html

We’re excited to have you with us as we continue building a more inclusive and collaborative journalism community.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact training@londonfreelance.org

Join us for these informative and inspiring sessions to learn from industry experts and enhance your publishing skills. Take advantage of this invaluable opportunity to gain practical insights and skills to enhance your pitching abilities.

Coffee mornings and pitching clinics take place on Zoom. We send invitations to Branch members: if you are a freelance member of the NUJ and have not received one please contact training@londonfreelance.org

Stay tuned for news of further Pitching Clinics: www.londonfreelance.org/training

• Please give us your feedback through this link
• Join LFB’s Training WhatsApp group
• If you would like more privacy, here is our Slack link
• Please email us at training@londonfreelance.org if you have any specific topics or questions you would like to address during the discussion. We will do our best to incorporate them into the agenda
• Please note that there is a long-term programme for journalists who have English as a foreign language: let us know if you would like to join

We are excited to have you participate. We can empower each other and work towards a more inclusive and diverse journalism industry.

Thank you for your attention, and we eagerly await your presence at the coffee morning discussion.

Earlier...

Coffee morning: pitching to The New Arab

Welcome back. We apologise for the hiatus in Branch training communications. We are returning with a busy schedule of events. We appreciate your patience.

The next Branch coffee morning will take place on Friday 17 April 2026 at 11:00.

We are delighted to welcome Paul McLoughlin, Head of News at The New Arab London. Paul brings over 20 years of experience in Middle East journalism, including eight years based in Jordan, Oman, and the UAE.

With an academic background in Modern Middle Eastern History and a Masters in Corruption and Governance, Paul has covered a vast range of subjects, from international relations and Arab arts to investigative journalism. He has reported on Syria since the 2011 revolution and has authored the Syria Insight analysis section for the past eight years.

In this session Paul will discuss his extensive experience working with local media in the Middle East and reflect on how the field has shifted over the last two decades. There will, as always, be space for your own questions and ideas regarding pitching and editorial opportunities.

© Mariam Elsayeh

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