Freelances are self-employed journalists who often, prefer working for themselves as it allows them to pick and choose the work they do. This can suit those with a specialist interest or who want to work time to fit in with family commitments, For instance, it may be that a local freelance specialises in finance and normally sends copy to the financial papers. He or she may only send copy to the local paper if a story of local interest is found.

Stringers are local people who write a few hundred words every week about their community, social group or sports club. These are usually rewritten by sub-editors, but occasionally contain a good story that requires extra work from a reporter. A local journalist can also work as a stringer for a national.