Spinning plates and answering your questions

Podcasts, journo tips and journo jobs

Jan 28, 2021

From Katie B…

Hello and happy Thursday! As you read this newsletter, we’ve recorded two more episodes this week - one focused around diversity and inclusion and another episode focused on the rise of digital media and podcasting.

This week has been full of busy for us both, Katie W has been pitching while I’ve been working from home full time. We can’t wait to edit the podcasts we have recorded and edit the video content for Youtube 👀👏🏼 - exciting times!

Over January, our podcast and social media channels have grown. There has been a lot of discussion around pitching and confidence! It’s so lovely to see a positive online community, especially during Lockdown 3.0 - keep doing what you’re doing!

From Katie W…

Exactly! Just keep at it! Katie B and I have really felt so supported in our work and I can’t thank everyone who has helped me the last couple of months as I plunged into freelancing. This week has felt really busy. Within 7 days we will have recorded three Northern Natter episodes. The planning and research that goes behind each guest can be time consuming on top of everything else we are doing individually. There hasn’t been a day this week I haven’t had a zoom call and I’ve been applying for a Channel 4 scheme, pitching and writing. We have been spinning ALL the plates. It feels a bit like cycling up a hill, I can’t quite see the top yet but I haven’t fallen off. Sometimes I have to take some deep breaths and know if I concentrate, get off my phone, I will make it through my to-do list. Now do it with me. Inhale. Exhale. We can do this.

Question of the week

How to pitch as a student without a great deal of experience?

From Holly Harland:

Hi Holly, Katie W here! Pitching is TOUGH! I’m no expert but since June last year I have been giving it a shot and I honestly think it just gets easier the more you do it. I don’t have any established bylines, I have written a lot of unpaid blog like pieces and reviews, as well as my own blog. I use examples from blogs and reviews in my journalism portfolio. To be honest with you Holly, I genuinely wouldn’t be put off if you only have a couple of blogs or student paper pieces. They’re actually really good to submit to your portfolio because it shows your passion and work experience.

It’s all about the story you are pitching. If you have a strong idea and know you can turn it into a story with statistics then pitch away!

Using data in pitches was the first piece of advice I was given by the brilliant Sabrina Faramazi, because it really shows you are capable of conducting research and anchors down your story.

There is a great young journalism community online! Use online communities to find someone who will look over a pitch. You’ll be surprised at how kind and helpful people are. Good luck!

You can find more pitching advice here:

Got a Question of the Week for us? Drop it in the comment box and we’ll get answering in the next newsletter.

NN Reacts - what we love:

Katie B:

We were featured in Young Journalism Community newsletter! I love the friendship and motivation the journalism community has every single day. We’re all running our own race and we’re smashing it!

Katie W: BBC Woman’s Hour had a feature on the mental health decline in teenage girls. And got Matt Haig as a guest. If you are going to do report on an issue, make sure your guests can speak about it and are the best person for it. To be a good advocate, sometimes that means passing the mic. Giving space to someone who’s voice needs to be heard. This isn’t an isolated issue. We have seen it happen time and time again during BLM and LGBTQ+ discussions on TV and radio and quite frankly, I’m fed up of it.

Who to follow

Isabelle Jani-Friend who has been writing some really powerful pieces on living with a disability. Here’s one that stood out!

Emily Coxhead, The Happy Newspaper - Emily founded a newspaper in 2015 to celebrate all that’s good in the world; a platform to share positive news and wonderful people.

Emma Millen, NE Lass Can - Emma has launched a new podcast, chatting to empowering young women on all things ‘lasses’ have to face.

Kai Valentine - Kai hosts two radio shows on Spark Sunderland, whether you’re into music or a late night talk show, these shows are for you!

Song of the Week

Katie W:

Katie B:

Journo Jobs and Opps

FREELANCE: Not exactly a freelance writing role but Cipher Press are a publishing company and they’re looking for submissions from writers in the LGBTQ+ community.

FREELANCE: Rachel Simon is commissioning for Hello Giggles. Open to essays, features, trendpieces and more in the Fashion/Beauty and Lifestyle verticals.

SCOTLAND: Scottish BAME Writers Network are looking for Workshop pitches. So if you’ve always wanted to lead your own writing workshop- this is your chance. Fee: £175

SCOTLAND (various locations) : Women in Journalism Scotland put together a brilliant thread including placements for BBC, STV, GB News and loads more. We could add them all here but I really can’t take credit for their wonderful thread.

DUNDEE: DC Thomson are hiring a Sports Reporter.

ABERDEEN/DUNDEE/INVERNESS: DC Thomson are also looking for a Live News Reporter

EDINBURGH: Hot off the press! This was only announced TODAY. Creative Scotland are needing a Media and Communications Coordinator. £22, 924

EDINBURGH (REMOTE): Keep Edinburgh Thriving are looking for a journalist. Looks like a great gig and great first step!

HOUGHTON LE SPRING (REMOTE): Football crazy? Football mad? Social media manager at Footy.com, FT, £25k+

NEWCASTLE (REMOTE): HARSAV Group - Content Writer, £15k

NORTH SHIELDS: Media Officer, North Tyneside Carers Centre

MANCHESTER: Cognitive Publishing are hiring a multimedia journalist/Editor. It only got announced 2 days a go!

MANCHESTER (REMOTE): Lad Bible are hiring a sub-editor. Could be lots of fun!