Remote jobs and Scotland bound
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
Annual leave, here I come! The last time I properly had a break was Christmas 2020 and even then it was filled with podcast editing and figuring out what career move I wanted to take next. I am genuinely buzzing about driving to Scotland on Monday and I CANNOT WAIT to finally meet Katie W next week!! Discovering Scotland is something that I’ve always wanted to do and we have Stirling, Fort William, Glencoe, Ayr and Mallaig on our list. It’s going to be so nice to explore the sights at our own pace.
As Katie W mentions below ‘self care’ is so important. Taking time out to focus on your personal goals and realising what you want in life is so important for your wellbeing. Make sure to give yourself a rest day or break to focus on what makes you happy this month; whether that be journalling, working out, reading, yoga, mindfulness etc. Hopefully you feel inspired to slow down for a day or two - productivity isn’t always everything. To paraphrase Winnie the Pooh: doing nothing often leads to the very best of something 💫
From Katie W…
After my weird last week, I feel back on track - finally! I took the weekend off and dedicated it to ‘self care’. I know that’s such a buzz word but it completely reset my mind. My acts of self care aren’t always bubble baths, this weekend I did a little workout, tidied the flat and ate three nutritious meals. And wow what a difference! I felt ready and raring to go on Monday morning and I’m trying to keep the momentum going for the weeks ahead.
And when I say it made a difference, I mean it gave me the push to deal with adult things like unpaid bills and eating vitamin filled foods (apparently just eating biscuits won’t cut it).
And I also cannot wait to see Katie B! IN THE FLESH!!!!!!
#SnackofNatter - Katie W nattered to Craig Paton at Press Association about news wires - listen now!
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat… taking breaks in the day
Katie W: We all KNOW we need to take breaks from our screens, especially when working but how often do we really do it?
My workload has been increasing, which is a great challenge for me but it means I have to force myself to concentrate and that usually results in never leaving my chair for the whole day.
But let’s be honest, that isn’t healthy because I need to eat, drink and stretch my legs.
So my bit of advice is to get your schedule for the day sorted.
Set mini goals, whether it’s how many articles, words or hours of research, after each mini goal have a walk round the house to stretch, get a cuppa and get ready for the next wave.
Set a lunch break and stick to it (unless breaking news happens, then go after that) and when I say break, I mean break. Put your laptop screen down. You are entitled to that break.
Who to follow
Henry Louis - freelance radio and video producer
Emma Kelly - entertainment journalist
David MacDougall - Head of Politics at DC Thomson Media
Stephanie Finnon - breakfast newsreader/presenter on BBC Newcastle
NN reacts
Katie W: So Scotland is technically getting their “freedom' day” (I hate that term) on Monday. Night clubs are opening and I AM WORRIED. I have gotten so used to my little social circle, one pub night a week and I just can’t imagine things ‘back to normal’ yet - even though I am double vaxxed. But here we go I suppose.
Katie B: Can we just appreciate Tom Daley knitting a Team GB jumper at the Olympics, what a cutie.
Song of the week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Arielle Tchiprout is the new Health & Wellbeing Commissioning Editor at RedMagDaily, Good Health Magazine and Prima Magazine, covering physical & mental health, self-care, fitness, nutrition, etc. Send your pitch to arielle.tchiprout@hearst.co.uk
FREELANCE: Darkus Magazine are looking for podcast creators, writers, photographers/stylists, designers and website editors to join their team. Email hello@darkusmagazine.com to apply.
FREELANCE: Aurelia Magazine are open for a ‘couple of commissions’ - they’re looking for personal essay/opinion pieces. Pitch to kya@aureliamagazine.com
FREELANCE: The Digital Fix are on the lookout for great stories, opinion pieces, features and interviews about the biggest movies and TV shows, as well as the latest tech. They have a handy pitching guide and more info on the right people you can pitch to here.
FREELANCE: Jenna Mahale is searching for “spicy” features for ID’s culture section. She likes “oddball internet trends, weird beauty stories, gaming but make it nostalgic and/or emotional, extra points for anything 90s/y2k and even more if it's gay”. Email jenna.mahale@i-d.co and they charge £200.
FREELANCE: Dazed are looking for beauty pitches, we have had loads of folk DMing us for Dazed contacts so HERE YOU ARE. Anna Cafolla is looking for features exploring wellness / beauty trends, myth-busters and ask an expert pieces, investigations into cosmetic procedures or new industry ingredients, scene reports and emerging aesthetics etc. Pitch to anna.cafolla@dazedmedia.com. £150+ depending on length.
FREELANCE: Olivia Heath is looking for freelance writers & journalists specialising in gardening/horticulture to write for House Beautiful and Country Living online. Email olivia.heath@hearst.co.uk and emmalouise.pritchard@hearst.co.uk and include links/pdfs to your previous work.
FREELANCE: The Spill are looking for short stories to feature on their new dedicated Fiction section. Send an email to team@thespillmag.com with ‘Fiction’ in the subject line.
FREELANCE: Wireframe are on the lookout for ‘entertaining’, ‘opinionated’ pitches. If you have an idea for a short, video game-related piece, email wireframe-at-raspberrypi.com.
FREELANCE: Diyora from Gal-Dem is looking for pitches - she asked: Has your life been affected by climate change? What about your local community or the environment? Do you want to write about it from a First Person perspective for @galdemzine? Looking for pitches from all over the world!
SCOTLAND (CENTRAL BELT): Sound Bite PR are looking for PR and digital marketing managers to support their growing roster of inspiring food, drink and travel clients. Contact info@soundbitepr.co.uk with your CV and for more info.
GLASGOW: Street League are hiring a marketing assistant. This role will specialise in engaging young people to listen and learn from their experiences, ensuring their service and support is relevant, current and targeted at their ‘growing’ audience. Salary is £18,500 to £22k, full time/permanent.
GLASGOW: News UK are hiring a news reporter to join their team. You will bring stories to life in print, digital and other emerging platforms. One day you could be out covering a live story from a scene and the next making sure the content shines online.
REMOTE: The Know are hiring a content creator. £20-25k salary (depending on experience). To apply, send your CV and task to emma@theknowmedia.co. Closing date is 8th August.
CARLISLE: Looking for a trainee or senior reporter role? The News and Star and Cumberland News are hiring for new roles within their teams. £18-21k salary. Closing date is 14th August.
FIFE: JPI Media are hiring a trainee journalist to deliver quality journalism for the Fife Herald & Citizen, St Andrew’s Citizen, Glenrothes Gazette and East Fife Mail. You will have a passion for great content, quality journalism and the ability to spot a trending story; a hunger to learn, develop and embrace change; a grasp of SEO and a natural understanding of what makes great content both online and in print. £18,476 per annum. Closing date is 15th August.
MANCHESTER: Manchester Met Uni are hiring a marketing communications officer. £30,942 - £34,804 a year, full-time role. Submit your CV and covering letter via their application portal. For an informal conversation, please contact Desmeana Johnson (Head of Brand & Campaign Marketing) on Desmeana.Johnson@mmu.ac.uk.
MANCHESTER: KFM Capital Limited are hiring a content writer. £21k a year, full time, permanent, temporarily remote.
HARROGATE/KICKSTART SCHEME: Are you a young person, eligible for the Kickstart Scheme? Creative Change are looking for a creative assistant. You’ll be working 25 hours a week managing social media, writing marketing-related copy for internal and external use, designing content from reports and presentations to videos and infographics.
LEEDS: Do you have experience working in a marketing support role and are creative, proactive and motivated? Lucy Walker Recruitment are hiring a marketing executive. £25k-30k salary. You’ll be developing content in all formats such as video, copywriting and creative, managing social media, creating email marketing campaigns, managing the website, copy and analytics and building relationships through networking, events and liaising with leaders in the tech industry.
LEEDS: ITV are looking for an assistant schedule executive. Key responsibilities include: populating and optimising daily transmission schedules according to guidelines, ensuring the correct programme and version is linked in the schedule from the programme library and building and optimising the schedules at the appropriate time. You will need to be highly motivated, hard working, positive, conscientious and be keen to learn new skills. Closing date is 9th August.
GATESHEAD: Education Development Trust Employability & careers team are hiring a Social Media and Digital Marketing Coordinator. £22,948 per annum, closing date is 12th August.
GATESHEAD: Love writing? Mediaworks are hiring a copywriter. £18k a year, full time/permanent role.
SUNDERLAND: The University of Sunderland are hiring a digital content producer. You’ll play a vital role in producing and publishing digital content for a variety of digital channels and integrated campaigns, producing outstanding assets from videos to webcasts to insightful articles. £25,910 to £31,784 per annum. Closing date is 16th August.
NEWCASTLE: Clothier Lacey & Co. are hiring a digital account manager. £24k-30k per annum salary. Closing date is 15th August.
REMOTE: Looking for an entry-level role with an independent publisher? HopeRoad are hiring a marketing, PR and sales intern. You’ll be promoting diverse books from publishers who specialise in Black, Asian and Caribbean writers and writing and be involved in publication scheduling, forward planning and writing copy. 12 month/part time role, £10.85 per hour. Closing date is 24th August.
Good luck if you are applying!