How can you use your voice?
Journo tips & journo jobs at BBC STV
Hi Natterers! What a week, eh? So much news, so much discourse and bombshell interviews. One thing we would like to say is if someone admits they’re struggling or struggled with their mental health, believe them and show kindness and sensitivity.
We want you to be part of the natter so we are now introducing guest posts every so often to our newsletter. This week we hear from Bolton journalist, Liv Clarke.
From Liv Clarke…
My name’s Liv and I’m a trainee journalist at The Bolton News. I’ve been here for a year and I landed the job after completing my NCTJ at News Associates in Manchester. Before my NCTJ I studied languages at university and I was a features editor at my student paper. I’ve written blogs in the past as well as reviews for an arts website. Having loved my time as a student in Manchester, I knew I wanted to keep working in the North West so I applied for jobs in the area when I was coming up to the end of my NCTJ.
Local news seems to be the area that’s most open to hiring recently-qualified trainees. It’s a great place to start your career although definitely challenging and demanding. But it’s been a privilege to report on the North West during the pandemic, particularly as there’s been a noticeable north/south divide when it comes to restrictions. The best thing about journalism in the north is that often topics receive less coverage so it’s easy to find a niche area to report on.
My advice to anyone who is looking for a job would be to use your spare time to write about things which interest you – it shows enthusiasm for the job while also being enjoyable for yourself. Now I’m working I wish I had more time for this! I do find the industry is very London-centric, most job opportunities are in the south and pretty much all of the established journalists I follow on Twitter are based there – hopefully the pandemic will change that.
I’ve never had a mentor as I don’t find the process straightforward. Every scheme I’ve come across is too specific – but I have directly messaged journalists on Twitter for advice or kept up to date with any Twitter threads or Instagram stories about the industry (worth looking out for). But one thing I do which is very helpful is to speak to other journalists who are just starting out to see what different jobs are like and to share our experiences – it’s like networking but friendlier and less daunting.
Want to be part of the natter and write a post for us?
Journo Tip of the week
On our Instagram this week, we discussed ‘finding your writing voice’. Writing is a skill and it takes TIME to craft a pitch or story so try not to put too much pressure on yourself to write. Why not get those creative juices flowing by reading outside of your comfort zone? Reading a different genre of article can create inspiration to find a new writing style.
This article from Kristina Adams talks about the writing voice that keeps our readers coming back, its what makes us stand out from other writers, what connects us to our readers and how we express to readers what we’re all about.
Who to follow
With everything that is going on, we want to acknowledge the selection of press outlets that strive to give people a voice:
NN reacts
Katie W: It’s a heavy news week with everything. Like so many women, my heart is breaking and we are reminded at how normalised it is to be scared just for walking outside. I interviewed a women’s activist for Clyde about what women face daily. You can watch it here.
Katie B: How is it already the middle of March? With Mothers Day’ this Sunday, this post from Emily Coxhead gave me life this week. Her design work and content is always ‘on point’!
Listen to our latest episode here with Rupa Mooker, Evie Muir and Ellis Palmer:
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B: This tune will forever be a TOTAL BOP.
Jobs and Opps
COURSE LAUNCH: Calling all female freelancers and young women (aged 16-24) wanting to get into radio! Bauer Media Audio has announced the launch of new ‘Women in Programming’ courses and a KissFMUK Summer School to discover, train and foster female talent in radio.
MENTORING SCHEME: Women in Journalism are thrilled to be working with BehindLocalNews to launch an inaugural Women in Local News Awards.
FREELANCE: Black Ballard are accepting pitches about beauty, work, careers, relationships “and anything else really”.
FREELANCE: UX Writers Collective Blog are looking for guest posts. If you have a topic that you want to write about related to UX writing or content design, pitch to blog@uxwriterscollective.com - they are paying $100 an article.
FREELANCE: Julia from Narratively is looking for pitches that “reveal groundbreaking accomplishments by a disabled figure in history or a group of people with disabilities”. Read Julia’s whole thread before you pitch, she has lots of info.
FREELANCE: We are Europe are looking for stories for their May issue.
FREELANCE: The Curiosity Club are looking for writers for their new independent platform. The CC is a safe space to talk about everything from sex, bodies, culture and relationships without embarrassment, stigma or shame. They’re looking for pitches for their essays section.
FREELANCE: Saira Mueller is looking for pitches for WIRED Games for their May-December publication. They are looking for diverse stories by diverse writers. Email/pitch to saira_mueller@wired.com.
LANARKSHIRE: Sunday Mail are hiring a reporter with a 12 month contract.
GLASGOW: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Production Journalist to join Scotland Tonight on a 9 month fixed term contract. You will work closely with the producer and assistant producers to help shape an agenda for Scotland Tonight. This role will involve working a combination of day and back shifts as well as weekends.
GLASGOW: Got experience under your belt? BBC are looking for a Senior Journalist to cover the Scottish election campaign.
GLASGOW: BoConcept Scotland are recruiting for a social and digital content coordinator. Temporarily remote role, £21k-£25k, full time/permanent.
EDINBURGH: Edinburgh Book Festival are advertising a range of marketing jobs.
ABERDEEN: DC Thompson Media are looking for a print features writer. This is a full time/permanent position where you will be joining their expanding print features team which will serve both the Press and Journal and Evening Express titles.
LEEDS: Sky are looking for a new Digital Content Editor; it’s an 8 month fixed term contact.
MANCHESTER: A digital content writer position has opened up with Distrelec where you will be writing, proof-reading, researching and working on social media.
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