Local news and picture agency

National and regional newspapers, news websites, magazines, and radio and TV newsrooms that want local stories they cannot cover themselves.

A fee per story or photo set, or a day rate for covering an event. Some outlets agree regular retainers once they trust your work.

• Clear, accurate news writing
• Photography or phone video
• Building contacts and sources
• Working fast to deadlines

• Defamation, contempt of court and privacy law. Check what you can safely report, ideally through a short journalism law course
• Professional indemnity or media liability insurance, plus public liability if you work at events
• Copyright and licensing: be clear in writing who owns your words and pictures
• Income can be uneven at first, as outlets pay per story and may take weeks to pay
• If you fly a drone for pictures, check the Civil Aviation Authority rules

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your camera or phone kit, software, insurance and any training. These are estimates, so start with the equipment you already have.

Check defamation, contempt of court and privacy law, ideally through a short journalism law course. Also check media liability or professional indemnity insurance, public liability at events, copyright ownership and, if you fly a drone, CAA rules.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how many stories you sell and to whom. Outlets pay per story and may take weeks to pay, so income can be uneven at first.