Freelance writer, editor and sub-editor Jo Walsh
Click here to view Jo Walsh's full freelance profile on Journalism.co.uk.
Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I decided to freelance from home after my son was born. It just seemed to make the most sense in terms of what worked best for us as a family.
If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I started as an editorial assistant at VNU Publications when I was 18. My last in-house job was as deputy editor on M&S Foresight, at Redwood. I left when I was 33, so I'd managed to make a good few contacts by then.
Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
Health & beauty, food, parenting, film and tv, travel, business profiles, company newsletters and general lifestyle pieces. I like the variety of freelancing. I can be writing an advertorial about a new moisturiser one day and a field to fork feature about honey the next.
Which publications have you been published in?
Boots Health & Beauty magazine, directline.com, Your M&S magazine, royalmail.com, the official commemorative book celebrating 60 years of the National Health Service, lots of DM pieces, brochures and catalogues – to name but a few.
Which articles, in which publication, are you the most proud of?
I'm proud of anything where I feel I've done justice to the brief. A lot of my work is for contract publishers and I think it’s vital to be able to adopt a company’s tone of voice and philosophy, so that you can faithfully convey a particular message or idea.
What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
The variety of the work and the uncertainty of the workflow.
Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience as a freelancer?
I once interviewed a man who owned the most fantastic fancy dress shop. I was hoping to be transformed à la Mr Benn style, but alas it wasn't to be.
For more information about Jo and the services she provides, please visit Jo Walsh Editorial Services
Free daily newsletter
If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).
