CORRECTION (whoops) New episodes and journalism jobs
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
I’m so excited to get back into recording episodes for you all next week; we have two recordings planned. It’ll be good to sit down on an evening and edit. After finally plucking up the courage to record Instagram reels, it feels amazing to see that they are being viewed by nearly 2,000 people (crazy!)
It’s been great to interact with our listeners over on our Instagram stories through polls and a Q&A. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we’re recording little snacks of natter alongside our main episodes. We’ve decided to publish episodes every fortnight to allow us to not put too much pressure on ourselves alongside our full-time jobs. Remember to do what feels right for you!
From Katie W…
I want your attention here because this is important: Reach PLC have HUNDREDS of jobs all over the UK and it frequently gets updated. This is a fantastic opportunity to get in there, especially for your first job, or even second or freelance. Many are remote and especially in Scotland, it is looking like a blending WFH/office future.
And I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t believe it, but they have been great to me and I’m already learning so much in my job from journalists who have been in the industry and local journalism for years. So if you are going to apply, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I’m more than happy to offer advice, I wouldn’t have got here if it wasn’t for the kindness from so many other people helping me out, and I’d love to do the same now.
Get me on Twitter at @Katie_WJourno.
EXCLUSIVE JUST FOR YOU.
We’ve mentioned it a couple of times but here is our first episode of Snack of Natter. A bite-size snack of info for new journalists and in this one we ask - what is a news wire?
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat… working smarter, not harder:
Katie B: Balancing a side hustle with a full time job can be challenging but ‘working smarter’ can be a good mantra to follow when getting started.
Understand the value of your time - growing your social media channels can help you to grow your brand. Comment on posts, go on a follow spree and DM other content creators to create relationships.
Create categories for each task - Whether its editing, marketing, product development, admin or finance - plan your day around what category needs to be prioritised first. Fully completing daily tasks will help you to be more productive, rather than cramming lots of tasks into 8 hours.
Set yourself up for success - plan the day before so that you feel prepared for the day ahead! Tidy workspace, tidy mind! Make a to-do list to get yourself into a calm mindset and to avoid yourself from becoming overwhelmed.
Who to follow
Greg Wright - deputy business editor at the Yorkshire Post
Katy Shaw - professor of contemporary writing at Northumbria University
Colin McPherson - Scottish documentary maker and content creator
Eva Bailey - new editor-in-chief at empoword journalism & podcast host
NN reacts
Katie W: I’m watching Love Island. It started because I had to write about it for work, but now I just need my trashy tele fix. But can we talk about how Sharon compared getting cosmetic surgery to race?!?! I get it, lip fillers and boob jobs don’t define a person but hun, that is not it.
Katie B: Dogs are adorable!
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: There are new freelance production management talent pools at BBC News for production managers, production coordinators and production management assistants.
FREELANCE: Rachel Davies is hiring a freelance journalist to help with weekly admin and editorial tasks. Looking for a student/early-career journalist who is looking for part time work/paid mentoring opportunity. £12 an hour, 20 hours per month with opportunity for feedback on pitches & advice. Fill out this Google Form before 5pm on 12th July.
FREELANCE: i_D’s news editor Róisín Lanigan is looking for pitches on gaming, sports & beauty. She’s especially interested in anything nostalgic, weird or that's saying something new & interesting about youth culture across all 3 of those topics. Email roisin.lanigan@i-d.co with your pitch.
FREELANCE: Cosmo’s sex and relationships editor Paisley Gilmour is looking for topical and newsy features hooked to love island. She says ‘if you spot a behaviour or theme and feel it says something about how we, as a society, view love and sex, pitch me’. Pitch to paisley.gilmour@hearst.co.uk. Rates depend on pitch, but states £150-£200, depends on word count and whether experts/case studies are included, how much research is conducted for piece.
FREELANCE: Naomi May, digital fashion writer at Stylist Magazine is looking for fashion feature ideas, pitch to naomi.may@stylist.co.uk
FREELANCE: Susie Beever at Yorkshire Post is taking on more environment stories. She is interested in looking at issues like flooding, climate change, single use plastics and pollution. Send your stories to susie.beever@jpress.co.uk
FREELANCE: May Woods has a budget for an opinion piece on using CBD as a therapeutic tool. Pitch to maywoodsfreelance@gmail.com
FREELANCE: Sophie Waterfield is looking for someone to write about bias happening at the Olympics. Email parantingmagazinepitches@gmail.com with your pitch; this is a paid opportunity.
FREELANCE: Lucy Purdy is searching for solution-focused journalists to pitch to her for Positive Magazine’s October issue. You can read their pitching guide here and email pitches to editorial@positive.news
FREELANCE: @PsydelicsToday is looking to commission original drug policy & science reporting, educational content, Op-Eds, book & film reviews, if it relates to #psychedelics, they’re interested! Pitch using this form: https://bit.ly/3xbYqQ2
REMOTE: Reach PLC are hiring a network content writer (TV) for a 6 month fixed term contract. Looking for someone who is an experienced NCTJ or Reach equivalent journalist, who has experience working with regional or national titles; confident in writing regional content; can make the most out of affiliate opportunities and able to work independently to source and edit relevant video content.
EDINBURGH: The Scotsman are looking for an assistant news editor and news editor to join their team. For this role, you will know how to find the best line in a writer’s copy and present a story in the most impactful way online. Your understanding of the editor’s code and media law will be up to date plus you’ll be full of ideas on how to develop their journalism and serve their readership. Closing date is 26th July.
EDINBURGH/REMOTE: Press Association are looking for a multimedia journalist with experience in covering court cases to join their team.
GLASGOW: That's TV Scotland are seeking talented multi-skilled journalists to deliver compelling TV news stories for its Scottish daily news programming on Freeview channel 8 in 5 cities - Ayr, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. £356 a week.
GLASGOW: The Daily Record are hiring a Deputy Features Editor to commission, manage, edit, produce, publish and share content from their pool of writers. Deadline is 12th July.
GLASGOW: The National Autistic Society are searching for a Media and Communications Officer. You’ll have an eye for a good news story, sourcing, developing and placing media pieces in print, online and broadcast, working closely with journalists and other media professionals.
REMOTE/MANCHESTER: Love writing, proofreading copy and creating new ideas? KFM Media are looking for a content writer. £21k salary, temporarily remote at the moment.
NEWCASTLE: Do you have a passion for great content, quality journalism and the ability to spot a trending story? JPI Media are hiring a journalist to join their team. Perfect for someone looking for an entry level full-time role.
NEWCASTLE: Reach PLC are looking for a Traffic and Travel correspondent to cover Newcastle, they’re looking for someone who’s passionate about local journalism, ideally with an NCTJ and drivers licence.
NEWCASTLE: Lookers PLC are hiring a marketing executive. The role will be perfect for an executive with 1-2 years’ experience, who has a creative flair with a keen eye for detail. You will be responsible for the development and delivery of the marketing strategy and helping to maximise revenue and margin through effective digital marketing planning and execution.
NEWCASTLE: Adderstone Group are hiring a marketing and communications manager to lead its marketing and comms strategy. They’re looking for someone with at least five years’ experience in a marketing role, property marketing experience is desirable although not essential and educated to degree level in marketing, communications or PR. You’ll be responsible for creating content for websites, reports and PR. Email your CV and covering letter to Nicola Hughes on nicolahughes@adderstonegroup.com by 12th July.
SUNDERLAND: Accelerate Agency are hiring a content writer for SEO, to write and publish various types of pieces for their clients web pages, guest articles, e-books and social media posts. £15k-30k salary.
GATESHEAD: Sharp Media Group are hiring a PR and social media assistant. You will draft social media content for clients, support with off-site photoshoots, video shoots and client meetings, plan and execute a PR campaign and conduct online research tasks to help formulate client campaigns. £18k salary, internship. Closing date is 18th July.
SOUTH TYNESIDE: South Tyneside Council are looking for a digital content assistant. This is a fixed term contract, £18,562 per annum pro rata. You’ll be writing content for their websites, publishing content on a CMS, creating email campaigns, graphics and photos. Closing date is 18th July.
PENRITH: The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald are hiring a content editor. They are looking for someone with the energy, commitment and organisational skills to run the news desk effectively, producing quality content for both in-paper and web. Prior experience in a similar role is essential and experience of using InDesign would be an advantage. Send your cv and covering letter to Group Editor, Emily Atherton at emilyatherton@barrnonmedia.com. Closing date is 12th July.
LEEDS: Reach PLC are hiring a court reporter for Leeds Live. You will have digital publishing skills, for example working a CMS, shooting video, taking pictures to accompany your articles; a media law qualification and law refresher every 12 months, understand how best to use social media and how to use this tool to track record of building online communities; a passion for digital storytelling in local journalism and a driving licence.
MANCHESTER: Another Reach job, Manchester Evening News are hiring a Tourism Writer. If you’re passionate about the city and know the hidden gems, this is the one for you.
MANCHESTER: Insider Media are hiring a Digital Staff Writer. This role looks great for graduates and those looking for a first step job. You’ll have a good nose for business news and an understanding of what makes a story. £18k - 19k per year. Send your CV to laurence.kilgannon@newsco.com
ACROSS UK: Reach PLC are hiring a number of roles. Yorkshire Live are hiring a traffic and travel correspondent, a journalist and a night editor and Hull Live are looking for a social media writer and breaking news editor.
Good luck if you are applying!