Not another end of year newsletter
We're already on the raspberry gin and gold dust infused chocolate...
Well Flashers (and prospective Flashers), this has been a year hasn’t it? I’m not sure any of you has the energy to read another “won’t next year be brilliant?” email so we won’t do that. But we did want to say how grateful we are to each and every one of you for your support, for buying our courses, for promoting us when we’ve been too lazy/scared to do it ourselves and for turning up to our webinars and socials. We work bloody hard and sometimes we don’t make the lofty profits we think we should make, but we always come away richer in so many other ways (this is not a reason not to buy our courses ;)).
Heidi and I often talk about the best way to grow Muse Flash and in 2019 we spent many happy hours plotting residentials and day-long workshops. Then the unmentionable hit. But we’re doing it. The residentials might be later in 2021 but they’re happening. It’s all happening. Muse Flash is getting bigger and better as well as smaller and busier. We’ll be offering some more niche courses (as well as our tried-and-tested ones, don’t panic), expanding the work we’ve already been doing with PRs and small businesses and generally crushing our competition. We mean building the empire. We’re hoping to offer more regular webinars too. Running 99 Problems But A Pitch Ain’t One was an absolute highlight of the year for us and we’re so thankful that so many of you signed up for those.
And we can’t do it without you. Every one of you who signs up to a webinar or course gives us hope that we can make the industry better. That’s not big-headedness, that’s us recognising that those who do our courses do so because they love this crazy industry and they want to create content that inspires, educates and challenges and they want it to survive. We love that about you.
So anyway, back to how brilliant we are. We’re actually pretty proud of ourselves. Both of us have held it together during a challenging year (in fact pandemic aside, we’ve both had family health challenges and managed to keep a roof over our respective heads so we’re allowing ourselves a sherry or two as reward). And we’re absolutely bloody proud of Muse Flash and the wonderful army of brilliant, barmy, fun and creative people who have joined us on this journey. We know that 2021 isn’t going to be a bed of roses but we’re optimistic and excited about delivering more courses to more people and branching out into areas we only previously dreamed of. We’re NEVER going to say something like “This is our year, babes” but the sentiment stands…
We’re taking a break for now but if you fancy kicking off the New Year with a bit of Muse Flash magic, ask Santa to pop a Power Hour in your stocking tomorrow night. These are bespoke mentoring sessions so we’ll arrange the date to suit you and plan the content around your specific needs. They’re good, and a bona fide business expert told us we were mad for giving away our advice and expertise at this price.
Our original Cracking Pitches course is still going strong and it’s the perfect way to power up your pitching – this one’s for anyone new to freelancing or keen to make sure their pitches are as kickass as can be. And our Pitching SOS course is for those of you who know your way round a solid pitch but could do with a bit of moral support and mentoring.
And for PRs and small businesses – especially those of you who have pivoted during the pandemic and now find yourself seeking column inches for your own brand or product – our Cracking Coverage course is going to be a big focus for us in 2021. It’s basically the chance to learn how to work with journalists and get them to write about you. We write about brands and businesses week in and week out so there’s literally nothing we don’t know about this.
Signing up to one of our courses also gets you membership of our ‘secret’ Facebook community for Muse Flash students. Our fave comment of the year tells you all you need to know about it: ‘Me to my partner this morning: “The pitching gang in the group have saved my sanity this year”. It’s so true. What a fab group.’ Aw!
A piece we loved writing:
Honestly, we were grateful for every single commission that came our way this year. We, like everyone else we know, lost clients and suffered some pretty major career setbacks but we were also offered work out of the blue, got recommended for gigs, and were kept very busy by some super loyal and very lovely editors. Our industry has been hit hard but we’re still standing and we still think we have the best job in the world. (Although better rates and a ban on late payments would be nice. Stick that in your sack, Santa.)
A piece we loved reading:
Nicola Slawson is one of our absolute faves and this piece on why we shouldn’t rush to judge single people at Christmas absolutely nails it. Follow her on Instagram for excellent journolife chat and check out her newsletter for single women, The Single Supplement. You don’t have to be single to read it, obvs. I’ve found it a super helpful guide to supporting my single mates, especially this year.
A podcast we enjoyed:
Our fellow journos-turned-trainers Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson run Freelancing For Journalists and this episode of their podcast offers invaluable insights into what commissioning editors want from you. Don’t miss it!
Also check out the fabulous journalist and coach Jenny Stallard’s Freelance Feels and especially this episode of her podcast featuring journo and broadcaster Rebecca Seal talking about, amongst other things, her new book about working alone, SOLO. It’s on my Kindle.
Students we’re especially proud of:
The brilliant Donna Ferguson was a Muse Flash early adopter and we’ve loved watching her freelance career skyrocket over the years. She’s an absolute powerhouse who has smashed it this year with some huge personal accomplishments and accolades. Reading this Guardian piece of hers gave me the tingles – it really showcases the power of good journalism. We salute her, and reckon you should check her out on Twitter.
Until next year…
Hazel and Heidi x