Broadcaster Johnny I’Anson has urged young journalists to “Say yes as much as you possibly can” when pursuing a career in freelancing.
The former BBC radio host, during a talk at Leeds’ Trinity’s Journalism and Media Week, said he believed it was his willingness to be flexible that allowed him to succeed in the radio industry.
After initially pursuing a career in sport and exercise, I’Anson decided he wanted to work in radio after attending a BBC Radio 1 show and meeting some big names in the industry such as Chris Moyles and Colin Murray. He was drawn to radio by the intimacy and companionship it brings, saying: “When radio is right, it feels like you’re in the room with them.”
I‘Anson’s career at the BBC began after he “blagged” a placement at the world-famous broadcaster: “I got a day or two and I managed to make it last a few weeks.”
He progressed through the BBC despite limited media experience, crediting his determination to do the jobs that other people didn’t want to: “I did everything I possibly could there. Vox pops at 6pm in the rain, working on Sunday mornings making the tea, just to make myself as visible as I possibly could.”
He also stressed the importance of being kind to co-workers in the modern day: “There are some rotten people that work in this industry. They get to exert influence and be a d**k and its fine because it’s part of their schtick. You can be forceful, but you must always be respectful. We’re not in the 70’s anymore.”
The same attitude brought him his first presenting opportunities, covering on the early breakfast show when others were ill or on holiday. He eventually rose to become the host of the local radio show until it was discontinued in 2018.
I’Anson left his position at the BBC later that year to pursue freelance work after feeling he had become “far too comfortable” and said that despite all the benefits of working at the world-famous institution, nothing compared to the “freedom and liberation” of freelancing.
Although I’Anson is now a more established name, he says his ethos is the same as a freelancer: “You should take opportunities even if it means travelling or go out and work even if it means getting in late or missing out on that weekend. Saying yes makes a massive difference.”
“Once you’re a freelancer you can’t apologise for yourself, and you can’t have that impostor syndrome. If you let it overwhelm you, you won’t get anywhere.”
I’Anson can still occasionally be heard on the BBC, hosting shows on 5 live.