News wires, episodes and freelance opps
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
WE’RE BACK and the buzz from recording two episodes this week has created so much motivation between myself and Katie W. We’re recording another episode next week, so we’ll have three in the bank to edit - YAY! This series feels so much smoother, we’ve changed the way we’re asking questions during recordings and not being afraid to know when to move onto the next question. We’re also producing ‘Snacks of Natter’ alongside our episodes - more of a ‘mini’ episode that focuses on a particular question from our listeners or topic in the journalism industry.
As I write this section of the newsletter, I’m sitting outside in 26 degree heat. I can’t wait to reveal where I’m going and who I’m meeting when I go on a roadtrip in August (clue: it’s been a long time coming!).
Keep your eyes peeled on our socials for when new episodes are published - we’re both in the middle of editing so not long to wait now.
From Katie W…
Last weekend I was getting down with never having plans and just staying home, I really missed the world before the pandemic. But I stopped moping, booked a weekend away in August, made plans with a mate, went to the cinema for the first time in over a year and went to a pals house for dinner - again a first time since last summer.
It’s still a nervy time but I take comfort in knowing I don’t have a massive social circle and it’s so important to get out and about to see people, especially when you spend your week staring at a screen for most of the day.
#SnackofNatter - Katie W nattered to Craig Paton at Press Association about news wires.
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat… tracking your productivity levels
Got a lot to get through in the day? Best bit of advice I’ve been given this week from a pal is to figure out when you’re most productive and when you’re least productive.
Then you can organise your workload around that.
I know after lunch I get really sluggish and by 4pm I zone out quickly so I try to get my biggest articles done before that and leave the easier stuff till after.
The other day I managed to write 6 articles before 3pm, I said to myself, just focus until then, and once you file that 6th one, you can get lunch and take it easy.
It was a massive push and I haven’t done it since but to know I can have that level of concentration up until 3pm, gives me motivation at work.
Katie W x
Who to follow
Mark Grainger - North East copywriter
Ebony Pruks- Writer at @WeAreTheTempest @thisisinsider @WearYourVoice
Sophia Waterfield - journalist and editor for Paranting Magazine
SYP North - organise events + networking opportunities for anyone looking to get into or progress in publishing
NN reacts
Katie W: It has been scorching here in Scotland, Stirling reached 24 degrees (that’s hot for us) and I was able to sit outside and work for a couple of hours. Absolute bliss.
Katie B: The weather is glorious, let’s hope it stays that way!
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Empoword Journalism are looking for pitches for the following sections: video, opinion, features, lifestyle, current affairs, entertainment and journalism hub. Check out their Instagram page for email contacts.
FREELANCE: Jess Austin at Metro is looking for anyone who is keen to write opinion and first person pieces to get in touch at jess.austin@metro.co.uk with any ideas.
FREELANCE: Metro are looking for freelance entertainment/showbiz reporters for shift work - get in touch with Lucy Mapstone at lucy.mapstone@metro.co.uk if you’re interested.
FREELANCE: Shahed Ezaydi from Aurelia Magazine is looking for pitches, especially opinion pieces (with a personal angle). Send your pitches to shahed@aureliamagazine.com
FREELANCE: Kiera Fields is seeking pitches for interesting people working interesting jobs at the Tokyo Olympics. Anyone working in and around the Games who wants to share their story with @BusinessInsider please email kfields@insider.com
FREELANCE: Telegraph Comment are on the hunt for journalists. Send pitches to olivia.utley@telegraph.co.uk. Olivia also has a handy pitching guide on her twitter thread for those who haven’t pitched much.
FREELANCE: Maybelle Morgon has bagged a great gig at Refinery as an entertainment editor and is looking for film/tv/books/music pitches. Email maybelle.morgan@vice.com
GLASGOW: Passionate about marketing, SEO and writing content? HRC Recruitment are hiring a marketing executive. £28k-35k per annum. Responsibilities and projects will include enhancing the firm’s online presence; preparing and executing marketing plans and email campaigns; monitoring social media content; researching and creating written content to create blogs, online content, campaigns etc; establishing relationships with key media outlets and increasing SEO.
GLASGOW: The Big Issue are hiring a reporter. You’ll be writing news stories and features to daily deadlines; keeping the editorial calendar up to date and plan ahead to make sure The Big Issue is part of the national conversation around news events; using social media to source and promote stories; source and produce multimedia content and research SEO keywords. £26k per annum. Closing date is 30th July.
GLASGOW/REMOTE: Reach PLC are hiring a nostalgia writer. £26k salary.
DURHAM/REMOTE: Harvey and Hugo Ltd are hiring a PR and social media executive. £17k-23k salary. They’re looking for someone who has impeccable spelling and grammar, a keen eye for proof reading, experience in writing press releases, articles, blogs and creative social media content, is a skilful press photographer with an impressive Instagram portfolio and is ‘fun, friendly, hardworking, organised, trustworthy and creative’.
NORTH EAST: Arts Council England are looking for a freelance assistant producer. This is a part time role, £20-25k pro rata. They’re looking for someone to support across their projects, festivals and events, working with a range of artists and creative companies. This is a freelance position to be worked on a flexible basis of 2 days per week over a five-month period from August to December 2021. Application deadline is midday on Monday 26th July.
SUNDERLAND: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service are hiring a media and communications advisor. £30,451 salary. The job description, advert and person specification can be found here. Closing date is midnight on 19th July.
SUNDERLAND: It’s your last chance to apply for the digital content coordinator role at the University of Sunderland. This is a part time role, £25,910 to £31,784 per annum pro rata. They’re seeking someone who has experience of developing, delivering and maintaining engaging information services in a multi-media & digital environment to fill the role of Sunderland Futures Digital Content Coordinator on a part-time basis.
SUNDERLAND: Sunderland City Council are hiring a digital development officer. This is a fixed term contract, £18k - £20k per annum pro rata. Closing date is 1st August.
NEWCASTLE: JPI Media are hiring a journalist. Permanent role, closing date is 19th July.
NORTH EAST: Reach PLC are hiring a social media insights and development editor. Mixture of home and office work. You’ll be part of the live network social media insights team, responsible for a particular region or cluster of titles; use data from their platforms and third-party providers to identify what is working + what is not, identify where the opportunities to grow new audiences are to drive engagement; be deputy for head of social media etc.
SALFORD/LEEDS: ITV are looking for journalists to join their Production Coordinator / Production Secretary Talent Pool. Closing date is 25th July.
YORKSHIRE: Creative and passionate about communications? Yorkshire Sculpture Park are hiring a communications officer. £25k salary, closing date is 22nd July. You’ll devise and deliver dynamic and innovative integrated media campaigns that will engage audiences, build and sustain excellent media contacts, maintain an effective and accurate media database, manage the timely distribution of press releases, listings, invitations, statements, and images etc.
MANCHESTER: Looking for a journalist/editor role? Crosby Associates Media Limited are hiring. £22k a year. NCTJ and experience in newsroom required.
REMOTE: Reach PLC are hiring an overnights content editor (Live Network, Scotland and Ireland). £40k-45k, full time role.
Good luck if you are applying!
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