BBC, social media and work experience

podcast, journo tips and jobs

Apr 01, 2021

From Katie B…

We’re getting closer and closer to 1000 downloads! As we approach our 6 month podcast anniversary (5th May, put it in your diary 😉), Katie W and I are planning some extra special content that you won’t want to miss.

I’ve also been offered a new position at a well established charity in Durham as their Community Resource Support Officer; which focuses on producing online content and managing their social media channels. I’ve always wanted to work in the communications side of a charity so I’m absolutely over the moon!

I’ve spent this week editing our latest episode which focuses on work experience (which is scheduled to be published tomorrow)! I have had a meeting with my WIJ mentor and I’ve been researching pitching guidelines. With working full time, recording/editing podcast episodes and writing our newsletter I haven’t yet found the time to get back into writing for publications. Perhaps the Summer will change this? 🙌🏻✍🏻

From Katie W…

I’m looking for work. I mentioned it on Twitter last week and had a couple of people message, telling me to email them. And then I was ghosted. My podcast editing work has gone a little quiet and I’m always checking my emails to see if any of the pitches have been responded to. But silver linings - the quieter week has meant I’ve applied to some really exciting jobs and I’ve spent time working on my CV. My CV is usually colourful with loads of info on it and I’ve been told contrasting things by different people. Some say it is too much. Others say it’s perfect! I think it will come down to who is looking at it and simply their preference. But it did encourage me to make a simpler, cleaner and B&W version which I ultimately sent off. So I think it’s important to have different layouts of your CV depending on the job you’re applying for. Of course, the copy will be tailored and I’ll think about who’s looking at it. Are you applying for a role that you need to prove your graphic design skills? Or are you sending it to a busy editor who will take 5 seconds to glance at it? Just some food for thought.

You can listen to our latest episode here:

Journo tip of the week

Let’s chat social media…

Katie B: Over the last two months I’ve deleted social media off my phone which has helped massively with reflecting where I am in my career journey. Since graduating I’ve experienced two sides of the journalism industry. It can to a certain extent become a competitive echo chamber with personal news klaxons and journalists chatting about their successful commissions.

Lockdown has given me a chance to reflect on the last year, exercise more and drive my passion within the creative and charity sector - so here are three top tips to help you stay authentic and sane on social media:

1 - Delete those apps! Social media will still exist without you there for a couple of hours or even days. If social media becomes ‘too much’, don’t be afraid to delete apps and come back to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at a later date.

2 - Give yourself a mindful reality check. Try and work on being more self-aware and prioritise how you feel and what you think when you’re using social media. Check in with yourself and ask yourself how am I doing right now? How is this app making me feel? How did that picture make me feel?

3 - Is it that important to post several times a day to beat the algorithm? Why not try to post when you have something to say? Posting many times a day could lead to undue pressure, but also a loss in the quality of content. Reflecting on why you’re posting and why you’re choosing to share something with your ‘followers’ can be really useful.

Who to follow

Spotlight Music: Established in the North East, Spotlight has grown into a fully pledged and fully independent platform for writers to cover emerging music across the region and beyond.

Tyne and Wear Cultural Freelancers: TYCF are a community for people working in the cultural sector in Tyne and Wear, or connected to Tyne and Wear. They exist to campaign for freelancer rights and create/seek opportunities to spotlight the often hidden labour of freelancers in our cultural sector.

Creative Me Podcast: A podcast by Ica Headlam chatting to Aberdeen and Scotland’s North East creatives.

NN reacts

Katie W: I don’t like to get too political on here but how can I not mention Alex Salmond bitterly starting up his own party and complaining that he isn’t involved in the TV debates, that are for the leading parties. Did he really think he could just start up his own party for it to be treated with the same importance as SNP or Conservatives?

Katie B: Unforgotten S4 finale! What an amazing six episodes - I’m so glad it’ll be back for another series 😍

Song of the week

Katie W:

Katie B:

Jobs and opportunities:

FREELANCE: AdolescentUS is looking for fashion and beauty articles for their online platform; check out their pitching structures and research their company at adolescent.net.

FREELANCE: EachOther are interested in marginalised writers, particularly aspiring journalists, who want their voice to be heard.

FREELANCE: Dahaba Layla Ali from the Metro is on the opinion and personal editors desk this week and wants your pitches!

FREELANCE: A Little Insight are always looking for current affairs, history, environment and culture pitches. There’s no budget but more information for pitching can be found here.

REMOTE: Tama Agency are looking for a digital content creator (social media). This post is full-time, remote and salary is 26k.

NATIONWIDE: BBC have launched their apprenticeship schemes! They’ve slightly changed them this year but they are looking even better than ever, covering a selection of departments from journalism, production, law, design and business. If you haven’t gone to uni, their fast track scheme is the one for you. If you do have a degree, their advanced scheme will best suit you. Of course, you’ll be competing with our own Katie W here…

GLASGOW: Ashurst are looking for a Content Editor to join their team. This is a 3-month full time contract, with a competitive salary. You will support their public-facing websites; working with the other members of the digital team, the role will be responsible for delivering website changes, assisting with content and campaigns and supporting other members of staff.

GLASGOW: Michael Jamieson Swim Academy are hiring Social Media and Digital Marketing Internship. A great start if you want to get your foot in the door.

EDINBURGH: Copy House is hiring a junior copywriter who has an interest in tech with SEO knowledge. £20-24k. They are recruiting a Senior Copywriter role too.

YORKSHIRE: SOUP.Agency are recruiting for a Digital Content Manager to lead their content team. Full-time, permanent position, based in Sheffield. Salary: £25,000-£30,000 per year, based on experience.

SHEFFIELD: A charity in Sheffield are hiring a Content Writer with a salary of £19-20k. A good entry level job.

MANCHESTER: Music is To Blame are looking for a music journalist/writer to contribute to an online music blog which has a team of over 250 journalists.

MANCHESTER: Ladbible and Kickstart are hiring a range of roles here, including content writing.

MANCHESTER: Salt Magazine is collaborating with Manchester Collective to commission 3 writers. They are looking for pieces on music, arts and culture with a fee of £250.

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