Freelance press adviser for small organizations

Small businesses, nonprofits, community groups, local clinics, trades firms and professionals who get occasional media attention but have no communications staff.

Monthly retainer for being on call and handling enquiries, or a fixed fee or hourly rate for one-off jobs such as a press release, statement or interview coaching session.

• Clear, fast writing
• Calm under pressure
• Understanding how newsrooms work
• Good judgement on what to say and what not to say

• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, as a poorly judged statement can cause harm to a client
• Check whether a home-based business licence is needed from your municipality
• Register your business name with your province and check when you need to register for GST/HST
• Be careful not to promise media coverage or specific outcomes, as you can't control what journalists publish
• Use written contracts that spell out scope, approval of statements and who is responsible for final wording
• Income can be uneven at first, so plan for quiet months

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on insurance, a home office setup and how you find clients. Check what professional liability (errors and omissions) cover would involve.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,500, depending on your client numbers and the hours you work. Income can be uneven at first, so it is worth planning for quiet months.

Check whether you need a home-based business licence from your municipality, how to register your business name in your province, and when to register for GST/HST. Use written contracts covering scope and final wording, and don't promise media coverage.