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journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
Change. It happens everyday and this last year and a half has been filled with so much uncertainty but we’ve pushed through it.
I guess this topic of conversation has been sparked by Naomi Osaka speaking out about how some of the press continue to control the narrative. In my opinion, it’s outdated and in need of change. It’s so important to respect and listen to what others have to say.
Over the last few months, I’ve found a ‘very powerful’ corner of the journo community online speak out about various issues from LGBTQ+, mental health, politics, culture and discovering truths in investigative journalism pieces, which have been inspiring to read.
One of my favourite modules at university was investigative journalism which is why we’re dedicated to offer you more investigative episodes in Series 3. Katie W and I are having a catch up next week to plan guests and episodes to record in the Summer!
We’re looking at ways to re-design the theme of our website for the launch of S3 so that it truly reflects our brand and listeners.
Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for updates!
From Katie W…
I think it’s good to take breaks from things to re-charge and then that excitement can build up again and everything feels fresh. Taking the break from the pod has allowed Katie and I to focus on our jobs and think about where we want to go next with Northern Natter. I suppose after 2 intense series, weekly newsletters along with our actual jobs - we were quite close to burning out, to be honest. But this week I’ve been jotting down some ideas, making TikToks and Reels and that rush and joy is coming back. I just feel like it’s worth sharing that with you, I think social media can make things look like everyone is constantly hustling but the truth here is we’ve taken a little step back for a moment and it feels good.
I can feel myself getting into a routine now and I’m not finding myself as knackered after work anymore which is perfect because that gives me a whole window to do things in the evening - like podcasting.
So now we’re getting back into the swing of things, I have something to ask you - do you create websites? Wordpress just feels clunky for what we want and it would be great if we could find a fellow Scot or Northerner to give us a wee hand. Please let us know!
If you’ve been enjoying our podcast, why not leave a review?
Journo tip of the week
Katie W: Let’s chat about… How to find stories quickly
Watching morning tele. What are they ranting about on GBM? What is Lorraine chatting about? These are the things that get people nattering in the afternoon and online so if you can grab a line from something like that quickly, then you can have some trending content for the day.
What’s gathering comments on facebook? Look on community pages or shopping groups, are any posts getting a lot of traffic? You’ll usually spot them on your feed with so many folk sharing.
Look at what is happening on TikTok. Here me out, TikTok has opened a window into subcultures and internet culture and you can quickly find a story from there. Has someone filmed a night out gone wrong? Is there a weird dance move? Write it up!
Who to follow
Megan Jones - Chief reporter at Free Radio News
Duncan Lindsay - Metro’s soaps editor and assistant communities editor
Shayma Bakht - Investigative journalist
Thomas Saunders - Data journalist for the ipaper
NN reacts
Katie W: It’s Pride month and over on twitter we’re celebrating some of the great works from LGBTQ+ writers and creatives. I loved this article from Eleanor Noyce all about voguing on TikTok. It is SO important to know the history of where trends come from, if it weren’t for underground ballrooms sashaying down the catwalk, there would be no Madonna’s Vogue!
Katie B: This speech by Dominique Jackson 👏🏼
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Edinburgh Live have some freelance reporting shifts going at the moment, at £130 per day, starting ASAP. Email claire.mckim@reachplc.com for more details.
FREELANCE: Frances Solà-Santiago has joined Refinery29 as their new fashion writer and is looking for pitches. Send your pitches to frances.solasantiago@vice.com
FREELANCE: A Little Insight are looking to publish articles throughout the month of June to celebrate Pride Month. Particularly wanting to hear from the LGBT+ community about all things pride..its history, culture and more. Current Affairs: alittleinsight.currentaffairs@gmail.com / History: alittleinsight.history@gmail.com / Culture + Personal Pieces: alittleinsight.culture@gmail.com
FREELANCE: The Flock are looking for ‘great current pitches’, email your pitch to Jen at hello@flockmag.com
FREELANCE: EachOther are calling for ‘inspired source pitches’. They’re interested in marginalised writers, particularly aspiring journalists who want their voice to be heard.
FREELANCE: Aurelia Magazine are back looking for personal and first-person pitches (paid). Pitch to shahed@aureliamagazine.com and check our their pitching guidelines here.
FREELANCE: The Boutique Handbook are accepting pitches about travel, food & drink and lifestyle in the UK. Email katie@boutiquehandbook.com
FREELANCE: Rose Stokes has bagged a great gig as editor of Vitals, the blog for Daye tampons. Their blog and overall ethos is fantastic, in my opinion. They use their blog to educate people about menstruation, biology and the environment, as so much of this has been left out of school. Rose will be commissioning 4 pieces a month for £200 per piece. Email rose@yourdaye.com
FREELANCE: Jessica Noah is accepting pitches for The Face and is looking to commission pieces on culture, entertainment, fashion, music, lifestyle, youth culture. On her tweet she’d added a good pitching guide. Please pitch: jessica@theface.com
REMOTE: JournoResources are hiring two trainee journalists as part of a kickstart scheme. 6 month contract, remote working. You’ll work for 25 hours a week on original features, social media and editorial admin, as well as get bespoke support to launch your career in the media. Must be aged 18-24 and on Universal Credit to apply.
You can find out how to impress Jem Collins with your application here:
REMOTE: Podcast ‘Stolen’ is looking for a senior producer and a producer. They’re looking for audio storytellers with investigative journalism experience to join their creative, highly collaborative team. DM @connie_walker for more details.
REMOTE: DIVA have not one, but TWO gigs going. DIVA is one of the most successful LGTBQI publications and they are looking for a Digital Writer to work 8 hours a week and have a passion for LGTBQI culture. Send your CV, cover letter and examples of your work to carrie@divamag.co.uk with the subject line DIGITAL WRITER. Applications close on Friday 11th June.
- They are also hiring regional reporters (We love to see it!). From gigs, theatre shows and sporting events to queer parties and protests, DIVA wants to shine a light on LGBTQI life from Stornoway to Southend. If you think you have what it takes to be a DIVA regional reporter, then send an email to carrie@divamag.co.uk telling them where you live and what you’re interested in covering. Please include a CV and some examples of your writing.
REMOTE: JPI Media are hiring journalists from across the UK to work remotely for their new title Nationalworld.com. Deadline is 9th June.
ABERDEEN: STV are hiring a multi media journalist who will generate stories and cover them for all platforms. Successful candidate will regularly shoot and edit content and send back to newsrooms from location, contribute video and text to STV News’ digital output.
ABERDEEN: D.C Thomson are hiring a sub-editor to join their team. Closing date is 11th June. If you have a keen interest in current affairs, can write on a variety of subjects and hate seeing an apostrophe in the wrong place or a full-stop missing, you’re just the person they’re looking for. Full-time: 35hrs per week. Shifts are 10am-6pm / 4pm-midnight. Sunday shifts on rota.
EDINBURGH: Cyrenians are hiring a digital media and content manager. £30,740 - £35,030 per annum, plus pension. Based in Edinburgh with some travel across Scotland. The Digital Media and Content Manager is a role that is key to the delivery of the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) online objectives, external communications and campaigns. Closing date is Monday 7th June at 9am.
EDINBURGH: University of Edinburgh are looking for a web and social media coordinator. 35 hours per week, £23,067 - £26,715 per annum. Responsible for managing the schools external and internal communications, implementing an annual marketing plan to recruit students and supporting an annual plan of outreach and public engagement activities, as well as developing connections with alumni.
GLASGOW: Peebles Media Group are in search of a staff writer that specialises in B2B writing. Applications should include full CV, examples of published work and details of current salary. Peebles Media Group – home to market-leading B2B and consumer magazines and websites, exhibitions and awards programmes – is looking to appoint an experienced journalist.
GLASGOW: BBC are hiring a Senior Journalist to present and shape the news. Closing date is 7th June.
NEWCASTLE: Greggs (yes, the legendary Greggs) are hiring a CRM assistant. £30k salary. They’re looking for an experienced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Assistant to support the CRM Manager in developing and implementing a new customer communications strategy. AND YOU GET 50% OFF FOOD - I mean what more do you want?!
NEWCASTLE: Dance City North East are looking for a project coordinator to run their Culture Against Racism project. The fee for this funded project is £4,800 and is based on two days per week for 16 weeks at a day rate of £150 per day. The length of contract is 32 days over 16 weeks initially (with a view to extending if future funding is secured). Closing date is 14th June at 5pm.
NEWCASTLE: Erudus are hiring a social media and marketing assistant. This is a position that will concentrate mainly on social media and promotion of wider marketing projects, with additional responsibilities such as content, CRM, press and events. £22k a year. Email careers@erudus.com to apply.
NEWCASTLE: Clothier Lacey and Co are hiring a Digital Account Manager. Full time position, £24k - £30k per annum. You’ll be working on client campaigns, ensuring coverage for clients, managing high-impact social media campaigns, preparing reports and chasing press releases and content and be passionate about all things digital. Closing date is 13th June.
NEWCASTLE: Michael Page UK are hiring a PR communications specialist. £28,553 to £34,702 salary. The role is currently fully remote but in the future there will be a blend of remote working/office working so you must be able to commute to Newcastle as required.
NEWCASTLE: HM Revenue and Customs are hiring a media relations officer. Salary is £33,080 - £35,977 per annum, permanent/full time role. Looking for applicants who have previous experience of working in external communications, preferably as a press officer, or as a journalist; has excellent writing skills; ability to make effective decisions under pressure; innovative, motivational and a team player. Closing date is 11:55 pm on 15th June.
LEEDS: Opera North are hiring a marketing assistant. Looking for someone who is flexible, collaborative, a listener, a contributor and a problem solver. Successful applicant will be “keen to learn on the job, working across events and projects, working on multi-channel campaigns with a major focus on email marketing, as well as being extremely organised and offering administrative support to the team”. Salary is £18-19k per annum. Deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 21st June.
MANCHESTER: Citation are looking for a copywriter to join their team. £27k a year, full time/permanent, remote job.
MANCHESTER: Communicorp UK are hiring a trainee digital sports journalist (Voiceworks). £18k a year, part time role.
Good luck if you are applying!
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