Summer plans & work life balance
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
Productive week all round! Me and Katie W are having a catch up next week about the podcast which is super exciting and hopefully I’ll be getting my first vaccine soon too - exciting times! ✨
I also finally finished my first book of the year, The Guilty Feminist, which was an amazing & very insightful read!
I finally feel like we’re reaching some type of ‘normality’ after lockdown(s) and we’re due a HEATWAVE (finally weather that isn’t rain!) at the start of June. I’m excited to meet up with friends next month and start enjoying the sunshine. Bring on the bank holiday!
From Katie W…
I put my hands up and admit this newsletter is late because of me. Finding the time to balance a full time job and side hustle is challenging, but I love it. I love that I’m getting paid to write but trying to organise or do anything after work is what I’m finding difficult. I can’t even cook dinner I’m so tired. But I’m going to take this weekend to take a step back and organise how I’m going to juggle this new job along with the side hustles - maybe I’ll take a good read of Katie B’s journo tip of the week for some inspo.
On another note, sadly, a friend to many, and a Northern Natter guest has passed away. I was in complete shock and Jamie was an absolute delight to have on the podcast and spoke so bravely and honestly about mental health and his struggles. Katie and I want to extend our condolences and thoughts to all of his friends, colleagues and loved ones.
For anyone who might need it.
samaritans 116 123
SAMH: 0344 800 0550
@theCALMzone 0800 58 58 58
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Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat about creating a work/life balance…
Katie B: Whether you’re balancing studying, a part time job, a full time job or freelancing at the moment, creating a work/life balance is so important right now. The last year has been overwhelming for most of us and it can be challenging to switch off after your ‘work day’ ends.
Here are three tips to help you create a better work/life balance…
1 - Changing up your work space from one room to the next can help with your motivation throughout the day. Try and make sure your desk that you work on is tidy (tidy desk, tidy mind!) with a notebook & pen incase you need to jot important tasks or notes down. It’s also really important to get up every hour and move away from your computer to stretch - perhaps think about putting an alarm on to remind you to do this.
2 - Setting a focus mode on your phone to distinguish ‘work time’ and ‘me time’ can help you to get into the mindset of when work starts and ends. Turning notifications off from your favourite apps can help you to concentrate while at work too. As addictive as social media can be, it’s important to concentrate on the tasks at hand so you can be productive.
3 - Prioritising your time using the ‘Eisenhower matrix’ by splitting tasks into urgent, not urgent, important and not important can ease the stress when it comes to ticking off your to-do list.
Urgent and important (tasks to do immediately)
Important but not urgent (tasks to do later)
Urgent but not important (tasks to delegate)
Neither urgent nor important (tasks to eliminate from workload)
Two questions to ask yourself is - what am I working towards & what are the core values that drive me?
Who to follow
I Like Networking - career platform, mentoring & networking for the creative industries
Hayley Moran - creative producer at NewsUK
Liam Milburn - radio producer and co-host of the ‘The Naughtiest Noughty’ podcast about pop songs of the 00s
Becca Carey - a solutions journalist in Scotland and makes brilliant TikToks
NN reacts
Katie W: … the awkward moment when I realise I haven’t done anything but work all week and have no thoughts on anything
Katie B: This piece by Marina Hyde at the Guardian 👏🏼
Song of the week
Katie W: I’ve taken to listening to the bands I loved when I was teen. Take me back to my youtube to mp3 converter and MP3 player, please
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Jenna Mahale is looking for feature pitches for i_D. £150-£200 for 1000 words. Send a few paragraphs explaining your idea to jenna.mahale@i-d.co.uk
FREELANCE: Jeff Ihaza is looking to hear from freelancers with compelling thoughts about hip-hop. Email jihaza@rollingstone.com with your pitch.
FREELANCE: May Woods is looking to commission some fun culture features for next month. Pitch artist interviews, trend deep dives, music round ups and photoessays to maywoodsfreelance@gmail.com
FREELANCE: Anti-Stagnant are on the look out for writers to help contribute pieces, with the hopes of becoming long term collaborators. You can pitch any idea you have regarding any topic to antistagnant420@gmail.com; music, film, culture, art, travel etc
FREELANCE: Vicki Turk at WIRED wants long read pitches! They have good pitching guidelines here and Vicki encourages you to read them first. Email vturk@wired.co.uk
REMOTE: DJ Mag is looking for a UK-based dance music writer to work on their flagship print magazine, initially to cover a paternity period but with scope to become a permanent position. 3 days per week, either remotely or from their London office, this role will involve a broad range of writing, from interviews and features, to reviews, columns and more. Send your CV and 3-5 recent examples of your feature writing on dance music, to jobs@djmag.com by 4th June 2021.
ITV NEWS TRAINEESHIP: This year’s applications for the ITV News Traineeship are now live, you have until midnight on the 13th June to apply!
SCHOLARSHIP: Newcastle University is pleased to offer the Jane Constance Scholarship to support North East women pursue a career in Journalism. It is available for candidates wishing to study MA International Multimedia Journalism at Newcastle University beginning in September 2021. All applications must be submitted no later than 25th June. Brilliant news for the North!
ABERDEEN/DUNDEE: STV are hiring a multimedia journalist who will be present across STV’s newsrooms and play a key role in broadcast, digital and social news output. Here is Aberdeen’s post. Here is Dundee’s. Closing date is 4th June.
STIRLING: Scottish Swimming are looking for a digital communications and marketing officer. £21k per annum plus 6% pension. Responsible for creating and co-ordinating content for digital communications including managing + scheduling content for social media channels. Closing date is 12 noon on 3rd June.
GLASGOW: RE:DISCOVER are looking for a social media manager for a start-up business based in Glasgow. Responsible for digital marketing across all social platforms, developing followers as well as influencer relationships. Ideally, the successful applicant will have experience in a similar role in consumer technology. This role is based in Glasgow, 2-3 days a week, salary is £35k - £40k, depending on experience.
GLASGOW: Want to get into TV? STV are hiring a Creative Production Assistant. It looks really hands on and you’ll be helping create promos. Deadline is 31st May.
Our episode features Roxy McCrae who works as an assistant producer at STV so you might get some tips here:
GLASGOW: Glasgow Times are expanding their digital team. They’re looking for digital journalists and digital sports journalists (£20k-£25k/permanent). This role can be a mix of home working and being in a newsroom. Send your CV and a brief email to EditorialJobs@newsquest.co.uk by 31st May.
TEESSIDE: Reach PLC are recruiting for a local democracy reporter for the Gazette and Teesside Live. Teesside Live are looking for a journalist to cover council politics as part of the Local Democracy Reporting scheme. A firm grasp of local government, strong digital skills and a track record of great ideas are essential for this role. Home based opportunity however due to the nature of the role this person will need to be based in the area. Closing date is 2nd June.
DARLINGTON: The Northern Echo are looking for a senior content editor (print) to join their team. Successful candidate will be a print specialist with a first-rate news sense and production/design skills to match, preferably using inDesign. The ideal candidate will have at least five years' experience on a daily newspaper. £30k-£35k salary. Closing date is 31st May.
BISHOP AUCKLAND: Central Employment Agency (North East) are looking for an eCommerce & Digital Marketing Manager. Permanent, full time role, salary of £35k-£38k. CEA are seeking a digital marketing specialist with a background from within eCommerce and in-depth experience in acquisition channels.
DURHAM: The Black Horse are looking for a digital marketing and office executive. This full time role requires responsibility for online promotion of the Black Horse Beamish Gastro Pub, The Orchard Marquee Wedding Venue and on site accommodation. Minimum 2 years’ experience in a digital marketing role or creative/digital design role required.
SUNDERLAND: Sunderland Business Improvement District are looking for a marketing, events and admin assistant. If you're passionate about Sunderland and love a challenge - this role might be just for you! They’re looking for “idea makers, boundary pushers, problem solvers and forward thinkers.” £20k salary, full time. Email your CV and covering letter to info@sunderlandbid.co.uk by 2nd June.
Good luck if you are applying!