We love making all of this for you. Our resources are free for everyone to use and we’d love to expand our podcast so we can create lots more creative content for our followers & subscribers. Every donation does really make a difference 💜
From Katie B…
Missing Scotland already! I needed that break away. It was so good to meet Katie W and take a tour around Stirling. As you can see in the reel below, I had my first taste of Irn Bru and took a walk up to Stirling Castle - Scotland really is beautiful. Me and Mam crossed off everything on our to-do list. We visited Stirling, Falkirk, Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, Ayr, Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan, Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig (let’s hope I haven’t missed any) - definitely a lot of miles in seven days.
Back to work on Monday but part of me can’t wait until the Autumn…I think it might be because of my love for hot chocolates, scarves and hoodies.
From Katie W…
After a week off we are back with our newsletter. As I’m typing this I’m actually away on a weekend away near Aberdeen. And let me tell you - it is very much needed. I have been feeling so burnt out after the last couple of weeks and I’m ready for some chill out time near the beach.
Me and Katie met for the first time last week!! It was brilliant to be able to show her around Stirling and see her get that taste of Irn Bru. You can see the reel of our evening here!
#SnackofNatter - Katie W nattered to Craig Paton at Press Association about news wires - listen now!
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat… how to create a portfolio
Katie W: With most creative job applications they will ask for a portfolio or at least examples of your work so it’s good to have your work in one place.
There are different ways to create a portfolio so we’ve put together a list for you.
Wordpress/Wix/Squarespace: Wordpress is what I use and it is a good place if you have different formats. It has pages for podcasts, articles and a blog section. It is important to keep it updated too. It isn’t perfect, and I would still like to change it but you can see mine here.
LinkTree: I would probably use this in conjunction with another page but this is a good one if you have lots of different formats, things like youtube, podcasts, broadcast examples.
Contently: If you really can’t handle making a website or you’re getting confused with wordpress etc, Contently is a really easy way to put all your articles in one place.
Who to follow
Iona Young - reporter at deadline news, soon to be an Edinburgh Live reporter
Siobhan Doyle - assistant tech editor at E&T magazine
Finn Oldfield - comms for the People’s Powerhouse
Hold the Front Page - great resource tool for journalists
NN reacts
Katie W: Did anyone else get sucked in my that 3.99 air fryer??? I totally did. And so did the rest of the internet but did anyone’s sales actually go through? My heart sank when I got the order cancelled email.
Katie B: The Strictly lineup is here!! *immediately plays the strictly theme tune*
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Paranting Magazine is looking for someone who can help with marketing and ad sales. This is on a freelance, part-time basis. £200 for 8 hours / per day. Email hello@parantingmagazine.co.uk with your CV and cover letter.
FREELANCE: Reach PLC are looking for a remote freelance writer / journalist to work shifts on a couple of regional titles to start ASAP and through September. DM Michael Pearson for more details or drop your CV to michael.pearson@reachplc.com
FREELANCE: Spotlight Music UK is looking to expand their team and bring on new writers on a voluntary basis. Perfect for whether you're looking to launch a career as a music journalist or write on the side while working or studying (they can fit this role around you and your needs). Email spotlight.jdmusic@gmail.com for more info.
FREELANCE: Siobhan Smith is looking for first-person and opinion pitches, where someone has a special insight, a unique experience to share or a strong angle on a subject for the MetroOpinion desk. Send your pitches to siobhan.smith@metro.co.uk
FREELANCE: Jeff Parsons is looking for a tech/science writer to come on board with Metro for freelance shifts.
FREELANCE: Jess Commons is looking for first person stories about sex and dating over the post-lockdown summer for @Refinery29UK. Email jess.commons@refinery29.uk
NORTH EAST: Tortoise are hiring a local reporter & producer for a years contract. Send your CV, covering letter and answer to task highlighted in post to duncan.mavin@tortoisemedia.com.
NEWCASTLE: Newcastle University are hiring a digital content editor. You will create, maintain and edit effective digital content for the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences web pages. The role will also provide key support for website development projects, managing content workflow and maintaining content guidelines and standards. £25,941 - £27,511 with progression to £30,046 per annum. Closing date is 24th August.
NEWCASTLE: BBC Newcastle are hiring a social media journalist. This job sounds super interesting and an opportunity that doesn’t come up often in the North with the BBC. You’ll have knowledge of the usual social media tools such as Final Cut Pro & Adobe Creative Suite, but training will be provided if needed. Using social listening tools is important and an ability to shoot and edit video is highly desirable. Essentially, they’re looking for ideas, vision and an understanding of what’s next – as you turn radio into engaging online content everyone will enjoy. Closing date is 5th September.
NORTH SHIELDS: Passionate about comms? RISE are hiring a communications officer. £22,725 - £26,259 per annum/permanent contract. Closing date is 23rd August at midday.
SEATON: Seaton Delaval Hall are seeking a writer in residence from September 2021 – March 2022 and the fee will be £5250 or 30 days at £175 per day. There is also a budget of £3250 to cover dissemination, event costs, the course and workshops. They welcome applications from writers working in prose, poetry, creative non-fiction and script. Writers should be based in North East England.
SCOTLAND: We reckon this one can be done remotely. Holyrood Magazine is looking for an experienced journalist with an interest in politics and policy to be part of the editorial team in Edinburgh, writing content for both online and print platforms. £22,000 - £28,000, dependent on experience. Deadline is 27th August.
INVERNESS: DC Thomson Media is looking for an experienced news reporter to join its Live Team to cover the north and north-east of Scotland.
ABERDEEN: Fellow radio fans, this one’s for you. DC Thompson are hiring a broadcast journalist for their radio station Original 106. You will be qualified in broadcast journalism with a sound knowledge of the regulatory and legal framework required to deliver high-impact, relevant and impartial news content. You must have a driving license and be willing to work early mornings and roughly one weekend a month. The application form is asking for a cover letter and CV.
EDINBURGH: Edinburgh Napier University are hiring a corporate communications officer. You will create, curate and update a suite of corporate materials and information that can be used by colleagues across the institution and by external bodies. These materials may be in the form of presentations, web content, speeches, social media content, films, podcasts and printed publications. £26,715 - £31,805 per annum. Closing date is 29th August.
GLASGOW: BBC Science Studios are looking for a trainee production management assistant. It’s a 12 month placement and a great opportunity to get into TV. £17,810 per annum. Apply here.
DUNDEE: There’s an exciting opportunity for an experienced sports writer to join the team at DC Thomson in Dundee, working to provide innovative online, social media, print and event content across The Courier and Evening Telegraph brands.
Good luck if you are applying!