Hello and welcome to Northern Natter’s very first newsletter.
We are so happy you have joined the natter. If you don’t know who we are, we are Katie and Katie, and we run Northern Natter, a podcast for new and aspiring journos in the North of England and Scotland. We want to prove that we don’t need to move to London to be successful in this cut-throat industry. And to be honest, I think we’re doing a good job at it.
We have just wrapped up series one of Northern Natter and now we are working towards Series 2.
Series 2 is already looking bigger and better so why don’t you catch up with Series 1 to get prepared, if you haven’t already. You can find us here and wherever you get your podcasts.
Northern Natter is very much a passion project for us. A hobby to focus on rather than work for Katie B and…well something to keep Katie W busy while she is on furlough (hospitality is a fun trade to be in right now, isn’t it?). One thing we do agree on is that it has really helped us through the pandemic. The only thing that could make it better is if we could meet in person. That’s right. We actually have NEVER met in person. This has all happened through the world of Twitter, Whatsapp and Zoom. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the internet can be great!
So like any other passion project, it has consumed us since September. A newsletter was one of the first things we thought of at the start to go along with the podcast but we wanted to wait to see just how Northern Natter would do. Turns out, you all liked it, kept tuning in and now you’re here! We really can’t thank you enough.
And who are we? That’s a secret I’ll never tell xoxo
We have been busy beans since rounding up the first series. We have been planning the next bunch of episodes and already have some exciting guests lined up.
Katie B has also been busy creating posts for social, attending journalism workshops and with research funding with Digital Incubator.
Katie W has also been creating posts, reading, pitching articles and started her mentorship scheme with Women in Journalism Scotland. Katie’s mentor is a radio producer at BBC Scotland so we are hoping she can give us some handy audio tips in the future!
Journalism workshops and mentoring schemes are so helpful.
We like free things. Like this newsletter. If you are looking for journalism workshops that don’t break the bank, we suggest checking out Journo Resources, Press Pad, Freelancing for Journalists and Women in Journalism.
For mentor programmes: Check out Women in Journalism Digital Women Leaders Freelancing Journalism Assembly
We would love to add more. If you know of any other mentoring opportunities, let us know, you can tag us or DM us via twitter @northernnatter or Instagram @northernnatterpodcast
NN reacts!
Katie B: A suspected human foot buried in a muddy field in Gateshead turned out to be a potato after a "large-scale" police search last week.
A dog walker in Gateshead sent officers a photograph of what appeared to be a toe poking out of the soil. But after carrying out the search in the dark with specialist dogs, officers discovered it was actually a potato with a mushroom growing next to it.
Police praised the woman for her "vigilance" and said the call had been made in "good faith".
Katie B says:
#potatogate
Scotland’s tighter restrictions
Scotland’s First Minister has announced even more restrictions. Scot Gov is closing all non-essential click and collect and only allowing takeaways that can be done outside or through a hatch.
Katie W says:
Jobs and Opps
FREELANCE: Input magazine are looking for pitches about video games. 0.50 - $1 a word
FREELANCE: Kerensa Cadenas from The Cut magazine has given a run down about what she’s looking for this year for the entertainment section.
FREELANCE: The Hearst Institute are looking for tech journalists for shift work.
FREELANCE (exc Scotland): Alan Woods is looking for freelance writers in Liverpool, Manchester, Cornwall, Devon, London, Lake District, Peak District and Wales “to work on an exciting project.”
VARIOUS LOCATIONS: Channel 4 have opened up their Production Training Schemes. Deadline 29th Jan. Locations: Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, Cardiff, North Wales and Glasgow.
GOVAN: Communications and Social Media Apprenticeship . Minimum wage. Gain Digital Marketing SCQF Level 6 Modern Apprenticeship. Closing date: 16th Jan
EDINBURGH: Scottish Government are looking for a Digital Media Officer.
EDINBURGH (remote due to Covid): Watermans Solicitors are looking for a part time content writer.
GLASGOW: BBC The Social are looking for a researcher. BBC The Social are a great team, they are looking for editing experience and this is a 6 month contract.
GLASGOW: The Sun are looking for an Editor in Chief based in Glasgow
GLASGOW (remote due to Covid) INFUSEmedia are urgently looking for a junior copywriter
DURHAM: INFUSEmedia again! They are looking in Durham too for the same role.
NEWCASTLE: Remit Group are needing a Digital PR Executive Apprentice (didn’t think I’d see ‘executive’ and ‘apprentice’ in the same job title but here we are. The pay doesn’t look great but thought I’d add it in just in case.
MANCHESTER: Axon Garside are searching for a Junior SEO Copywriter. It sounds like a great entry level job!
MANCHESTER: Orchard are wanting a Digital content writer. Remote for now.
Top Tip of the week:
In your pitch, add data. It shows you have done research and add links, without giving all your story away.
Song of the week:
Katie B: Alex Newell - Boy You Can Keep It
Katie W: Friends Of The Guinness - 'Ciara'
Who to follow:
Beth Kirkbride - Beth is a NCTJ qualified freelance journalist, founder of Indie_Pendent
Shahed Ezaydi - Shahed is a freelance journalist and deputy editor of Aurelia Magazine
Rhys Thomas - Rhys is men’s advice columnist at VICE UK and social media manager/editorial consultant for various podcasts
Links to podcast and socials:
Spotify:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Natter-102062111817224/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernnatterpodcast/
Twitter: twitter.com/northernnatter