The True Cost of Freelancing As A TV Presenter

After 16 years of freelancing, here’s the unvarnished truth about inconsistent income, relentless self-promotion, and the rewards of working for yourself. Buckle up, this one's honest.

Welcome back to "Moments," where I open up about my journey and experiences in the world of journalism and TV presenting, a first for me, as I've never shared this side of myself before. But with a newfound freedom in my middle age, I’m ready to dive in. This isn’t your typical industry newsletter. Drawing from my years of teaching, training, and mentoring hundreds of people in media and journalism, I’ll be sharing the insights I’ve used to help so many others maintain their mental wellbeing, grow their resilience, and advance their careers. You’ll get my personal take on navigating mid-life as a journalist, maintaining professionalism, and staying relevant in my 50s. I’ll also explore self-care, emotional health, and how I keep my passion for this unpredictable profession alive through it all!

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Hey everyone,

Remember this article?

As the year comes to an end, I’ve seen more and more people unplugging from traditional careers, drawn to the promise of autonomy, flexibility, and a fresh sense of control that the “gig” lifestyle offers.

You might be newly qualified and seeking that first bit of paid work experience, or your story might be like the ones we often read in the papers as the economy dips and businesses make changes: you’re jobless, either through redundancy or because you’ve taken an early pension to do something different.

If you’re contemplating the leap into freelancing or are new to it all, you might feel eager but also a bit apprehensive about what it truly entails.

Having ‘been there done that’ with the freelance world for 16 years, I thought it’d be helpful to share some of what I’ve learned about being out there alone in the ‘big bad world’ of finding work for yourself.

Freelancing might seem like a dream with its promises of independence and freedom to choose your projects, but it comes with its own set of challenges. From the unpredictability of income to the sometimes solitary nature of working alone, the freelance journey is as complex as it is rewarding.

Income Uncertainty

One of the biggest hurdles is dealing with inconsistent income. You might set a 30-day payment term on your invoices, but not all clients stick to it. I had to give up hoping to be paid on time, or anywhere near 30-day terms, altogether. At the start, I was sending polite reminders, negotiating, and occasionally sending letters threatening late payment fees. It’s a less glamorous aspect of freelancing that’s often glossed over, but a reality nonetheless. Consider this: are you ready for that side of things? If not, then a mindset shift is going to be needed.

‘Selling’ Yourself

Now, I don’t mean opening an OnlyFans account and waggling your bits on a webcam for money. I’m not criticising anyone who does that for a living, it’s an option that earns a lot of people a lot of money. But it’s not for me. When I say ‘selling yourself,’ I mean marketing yourself well.

It can be challenging. It’s not enough just to have the skills, or even to claim you have them, you need to showcase them effectively. I remember my early days, sending speculative emails and wondering whether I was saying the right thing. It can feel daunting, but there’s plenty of help online, so settle in with Google and do your research. A bucketload of persistence and a healthy dose of creativity go a long way.

Here’s a good article on how to pitch yourself in an email: here

Dealing with Loneliness

Working solo can sometimes feel isolating. Without a regular team around you, the office banter, gossiping in the staff kitchen while you make coffee, or popping out for lunch with your workmates, it’s all gone.

Feeling disconnected can hit you like a truck. Joining supportive communities or finding networks of fellow freelancers, online and in person, can help combat this loneliness and provide a much-needed sense of belonging.

As much as the media highlights the perils of the internet and social media, it really can be your friend when it comes to finding help, making connections, and learning from others to help you progress.

IPSE is a nationwide organisation that supports self-employed people across all industries. While they offer paid memberships, they also provide excellent free content, as well as online events and seminars. Last year, IPSE honoured me with their inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, which I was incredibly proud of. I was back on air the morning after a late night at the ceremony.

I took my IPSE award to work click the link to see more.

Challenges

Freelancing in the media industry comes with its own unique challenges. Like any self-employed person, I’ve faced precarious and inconsistent income. The phrase ‘feast or famine’ comes to mind. Take GMB, for example: August was a busy month for me as I usually cover for presenters’ on their summer holidays. But the next two months will be quieter for me on the TV front.

Fortunately, I have other jobs coming up during what’s dubbed ‘Awards Season’. I usually have a few bookings as an onstage host of awards ceremonies throughout the autumn/winter.

Then there’s the high cost of train travel, public transport, taxis, and accommodation near any of the TV studios that I work (for me, that’s usually in London), plus the personal toll of being away from my husband, family, and home, working irregular hours, and travelling a lot. It all takes a toll on your mind, body & soul, hence my indulgence in meditation. I’ve uploaded some of my own, on my new podcast if you’re curious to try them out.

A life in the media also adds a pressure of staying ‘relevant’ and constantly pitching new ideas to commissioners. My journey has involved battling through tough periods, saving diligently, and making strategic pivots, like producing and presenting radio documentaries, and transitioning into senior leadership in academia after a tough TV contract a few years back. I’m a firm believer that reinvention, however large or small, is possible for everyone. I’ve done it several times. Sure, it’s risky and takes a bucket load of self-confidence and self-belief, but I believe everyone has the capacity to achieve something truly special in their lives. How you do it, and the tools & advice you lean on to help you do it, is the key. [PS I’ve written a free book that might help you. Feel free to share the link with friends]

Managing the ‘Business’ End

Handling the business aspects of freelancing, such as contracts, payments, and taxes, is crucial. Working in national TV for over a decade means I’m lucky enough to have an agent to take care of my job contracts, invoicing and payments for most of my jobs, however I’ve also made sure to hire an accountant to sort out my taxes. The one aspect I can’t let go of is my bookkeeping, I like to keep a close eye on my finances, even though it hurts my brain like hell. It’s a constant effort, but managing it carefully helps prevent financial mishaps. I’ve been in hideous debt in the past, and I never want to ‘go there’ again!

Networking and Building a Personal Brand

Networking and leveraging industry connections have been key to my personal growth. I know this will likely be the same for you if you’re considering self-employment. Treat everyone with respect, avoid gossip, and do the best job you can. Building a personal brand involves maintaining an updated website and/or active social media presence and continuously showcasing your work. Easy, it isn’t. But staying visible and relevant seems to be the ticket for my industry. Figure out what it means for your industry or line of work, then decide if you want to do the same, or even buck the trend!

Transitioning from a Staff Role

If you’re considering transitioning from a staff role to freelancing, assess your skills and desires carefully. Fill any gaps and apply yourself strategically. I worked my way up from being a part-time TV & radio presenter, to trainee broadcast news reporter & producer, learning to adapt and perform under pressure, which eventually led to senior broadcast journalist and presenter roles. If you can demonstrate personal growth, success, experience, and transferable skills, you’ll be positioning yourself perfectly to take those calculated risks to pursue what you truly want.

Admin Tips: Being Your Own Assistant

The administrative side of freelancing requires discipline. Block out time for bookkeeping, planning, and keeping organised records. The mantra ‘Do what’s best for you’ comes to mind, and that's exactly what I do. Now, don’t laugh… but I have a serious love affair with paper. I’ve got a large-printed paper calendar on the wall of our spare room – which also doubles as Austen’s OffalClub studio and our office. We use it to keep each other updated on our whereabouts.

I also travel with a journal for notes on anything and everything, plus a planner and much more. I love pen and paper, and I’m always surrounded by notebooks, highlighters, the lot! What can I say? Not my fault for being born in the ‘70s, before the internet was around!

In my 20s, all that jazz felt like a chore. Maybe because I didn’t have a whole lot going on in my life, except for drinking and partying, so I didn’t need any of it. But now, I’ve reignited the comfort I used to feel from writing at school and gone the whole hog. Writing makes me happy and gives me a sense of order. Recording my plans, dreams, successes, and to-do lists keeps everything running smoothly and helps me feel like I’m making progress.

Freelancing is a balancing act of managing finances, promoting yourself, and maintaining connections. Despite its challenges, it can be incredibly fulfilling with the right mindset and support.

Here’s to all the freelancers out there, keep pushing forward and embracing the freedom!

If you’re thinking about taking the plunge into freelancing or considering a new career direction, however large or small, or have any questions about the journey, feel free to reach out.

I’d love to hear about your experiences or offer any advice I can!

Until next time,

Marv xx

P.S. Mega thanks for your support as I ventured up to Preston in the pouring rain to see my beloved Pet Shop Boys headline BBC Radio 2 in the Park on Sunday night. It was an awesome concert, despite the rain and Moor Park turning into a mud bath! It was my third time seeing them this year, and I was living my best life, that’s for sure. Did you see my soggy Instagram video highlights?

Is there a band or singer you adore? Let me know who and why in the comment section.

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