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From Katie B…
Something I saw on Twitter this week was whether or not to craft your writing into a specific niche. In my opinion, I wouldn’t. University or your pre-work years is such a good time to explore different opportunities whether that be radio, podcasting, writing features, opinion-led pieces or even long form investigative reads. I think there’s a difference between following your passion and learning new things to explore your horizons. Something I wish I had learned more about at uni was design and production, which is why you’ll now find me on my IPad on Procreate 🎨💁🏼♀️
In other news, we’re adding the S3 intros to our four new episodes, one of which we’ll be releasing next week! - can’t wait for you all to hear them!!
From Katie W…
So we’ve been a bit quiet on the old socials this week, I will hold my hands up and say I lost complete track of the days. I was away last weekend then had days off work while my best mate visited me from Spain - we hadn’t seen each other in a year!! So my phone was very much neglected - but sometimes it’s okay to take a break, I mentioned earlier how burnt out I was feeling so it has been good to recharge my batteries and get some focus.
This means the ball is once again rolling for Season 3! I know it’s been a hot minute and we kept saying it was coming and I promise you it actually is this time ahaha!
But let’s face it - side hustles are tough so what I’ve learnt is not to beat yourself up if things are taking a little longer - or have to be amended - you can only do what you can and you’re only human. If we were all perfect and like robots, the world would be boring… And I’d have nothing to write about except the robot takeover.
#SnackofNatter - Katie W nattered to Craig Paton at Press Association about news wires - listen now!
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat…about getting experience
I was messaged today asking me what experience I needed to get my job as a trends writer with EdinburghLive so I thought I’d share it here too.
It is my first “proper journalism job” but before that I just went out of my way to try and get as much experience as I could off my own back.
I didn’t hesitate to get in touch with editors and producers to ask if they needed a freelancer or had room for a work experience week. That got me some gigs with Canvas 8 where I wrote reports on the beauty industry and work experience with Radio Clyde.
On top of that I was making this podcast.
So I knew I wanted to get into local journalism or regional - basically news for Scotland. So I put my efforts into that and sourced places that I could apply for or help out to get that experience and talk about it in the interviews.
If you are struggling to get your foot in the door, start your own podcast or youtube or keep pitching to publications just so you build your portfolio and it is all valid experience! If you are sourcing stories, interviewing, telling stories that people want to hear - that is experience.
Feel free to get in touch if you want to chat about it more - I’m always happy to help.
Get me on Twitter
Katie W x
Who to follow
Jane Imrie - Bdaily editor
Tom Campbell - radio presenter & podcast host
Daniel Holland - local democracy reporter
Sadia Parveen is a freelance writer and wrote this fantastic piece for The Spill about Never Have I Ever and the tropes that Indian women on screen can face.
NN reacts
Katie W: Up here in Scotland Covid cases are rocketing and we were all worried the First Minister was going to put us back into a lockdown but Friday’s announcement quashed those speculations to the relief of many. You can read about it here.
Katie B: Sorry guys, didn’t you hear… the sea was closed this week 😬
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Happiful Magazine is always open to pitches on mental health topics for their print and digital editions - particularly for their 'Happiful Hacks' section. Email kathryn.wheeler@happiful.com with your pitch.
FREELANCE: Miranda Larbi is looking for ‘positive fitness pieces’ for Stylist Magazine. £150 a piece, email miranda.larbi@stylist.co.uk with your pitch.
FREELANCE: Natasha Bernal is looking to broaden her freelance pool for new commissions this week. If you are a great UK business journalist with tech experience, who is bursting with ideas, get in touch here.
FREELANCE: Refinery29 is looking for first-person pieces about sex and dating post lockdown. Email jess.commons@refinery29.uk
NEWCASTLE: Academic Health Science Network are looking for a communications officer. £23,100 per annum pro rata, full time, fixed term until 31st March 2023. You’ll undertake duties across the entire communications landscape, including branding, PR, digital and social media, as well as events.
NEWCASTLE: You still have time to apply for the social media journalist role at BBC Radio Newcastle. You’ll tell stories in new + innovative ways across social platforms and ensure the personality and branding of the station is reflected online, as it is on air. You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day running of our social media accounts; building relationships with online communities and ensuring that content reaches underserved audiences.
NEWCASTLE: JPI Media are hiring a digital journalist for their new publication Newcastle World. You’ll need to be able to identify and deliver high-quality news stories, features and conduct big interviews. Candidates must be digitally savvy, understand SEO and social media. Experience of video (in front and behind the camera) is an advantage. Closing date is 30th August.
NEWCASTLE: NE1 are hiring a marketing and events manager. £30k salary, full time, hybrid working. Taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the department, including overseeing their website and social media channels; leading on the planning, coordination and delivery of NE1’s marketing and events programme and production and content of the fortnightly magazine, taking responsibility for the delivery of marketing campaigns etc. Email a copy of your CV, along with a cover letter to Ben.Whitfield@NewcastleNE1Ltd.com. Closing date is 15th September.
SUNDERLAND: The University of Sunderland is looking for a digital content producer. £25,910 to £31,784 per annum, full time role. You’ll produce and publish digital content for a variety of digital channels and integrated campaigns, producing outstanding assets from videos to webcasts to insightful articles. Closing date is 5th September.
REMOTE: Jam Press are looking for a freelance features writer to cover shifts on the features desk, writing for nationals, digital and magazines. Day rate is dependent on experience. The ideal candidate will have at least one year's experience in writing features and excel at interviewing case studies, finding the best line for a story and turning around engaging copy on a short deadline. You’ll be working with the news & lifestyle editor, as well as with the wider features team on stories ranging from health to dating, real-life to everything else. Closing date is 19th September.
REMOTE: PA Media are hiring a full-time news reporter. The successful candidate will file fast, accurate and balanced copy on breaking news stories in Scotland; as well as generating and developing original content, you’ll also be trained to produce high-quality video. Looking for someone with knowledge of media law and social media skills, an NCTJ and a driving licence.
CUMBRIA: Are you wild about the outdoors? Are you a social media master? Are you a natural storyteller and a keen photographer? Another Place are looking for a digital content coordinator. £23k per annum, permanent role.
TYNEMOUTH: Tynemouth Aquarium are hiring a marketing executive. £20k per annum. This role will develop creative marketing strategies that will make an impact, support the brand, drive sales and increase visitor numbers.
DURHAM: New Writing North are looking for a community producer for Durham Book Festival. The appointed person will be available from September 2021 to February 2022 and will bring people together using creative facilitation skills and develop, in partnership with participants and community organisations, a programme of creative writing and reading projects, events + programmes which reflect the cultural needs and aspirations of the communities. Closing date is 13th September at 10am.
DURHAM: The Social Co. are hiring a paid social media executive to join their team. Email your CV and covering letter to jordan.n@thesocialco.co.uk to apply.
TEESSIDE: Reach PLC are hiring a reporter to cover the community of Teesside. Looking for someone with digital publishing and social media skills, a driving licence and NCTJ including 100wpm shorthand.
HARTLEPOOL: Reach PLC are hiring a live reporter to cover Hartlepool. Home based role but due to the nature of the position this candidate will need to live in the local area. Looking for someone with digital publishing and social media skills, a driving licence and NCTJ including 100wpm shorthand.
NORTH TEES: University Hospital of North Tees are hiring a Communications, Marketing and Engagement Officer. £25,655 - £31,534 salary. Closing date is 31st August.
YORK: The Yorkshire Post are hiring an assistant features editor. Applications should be made to james.mitchinson@JPIMedia.co.uk and jayne.lownsbrough@JPIMedia.co.uk by 7th September.
MANCHESTER: Love local news and SEO? Manchester Evening News are hiring an engagement producer. £25k plus benefits.
GLASGOW: The University of Strathclyde are hiring a digital content officer. £28,756 - £30,947, 35 hours a week. Closing date is 19th September. You’ll work closely with key stakeholders and members of the marketing and comms team to further develop the faculty and school websites and digital presence. The role requires strong project management skills and the ability to lead online developments, grounded in analytics and focused on clear reporting.
GLASGOW: Sky are hiring an associate producer (football) and a digital sports journalist.
GLASGOW: The National Theatre of Scotland are hiring a marketing officer. £23,639 per annum (permanent contract). You’ll develop innovative marketing campaigns, support marketing & sales to ensure audience development and income targets are achieved and establish + maintain good contacts with stakeholders including audiences, co-producers, partners, touring venues, artists and creative teams in support of sales activity. Closing date is 30th August at 5pm.
EDINBURGH: Deadline News is expanding and need determined and energetic reporters to join their team. Send your CV and covering letter to informal@deadlinenews.co.uk
ONLINE EVENT: Join BBC journalists and get your questions answered on what makes a great story and advice on working in journalism. Co-hosted by BBC Young Reporter and featuring a panel of BBC News’ young staff, this is an opportunity to understand more about the industry and what working in news and current affairs is like. Sign up now.
GOVANHILL: Greater Govanhill are hiring an income generation assistant to work 25 hours per week for 6 months, paid at the living wage. The role will include building their magazine through ad sales, membership growth and fundraising. This role is through the UK Government Kickstart scheme, to apply you must be claiming Universal Credit, aged 16-24, based in the UK and currently unemployed.
Good luck if you are applying!