Summer weather and new episodes
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
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From Katie B…
At the start of the week I deleted Twitter off my phone and I’m so glad I did. Even after filtering and muting people, it still isn’t enough. Frankly life’s too short to be filled with the negativity you get from ‘doom-scrolling’ - instead I’m going to use my time walking, reading more, spend time with friends + family and really get invested in podcast editing.
In other news, can we talk about this weather?! There’s a heatwave forecast for August (yay!) - it’ll be nice to soak up the sun on my annual leave soon. It’s my birthday at the start of August too just before two weeks holiday - good timing eh!
I’m in the middle of making the final edits on an episode and still have one to edit. I’m recording a snack of natter next week and we’re dedicating time to edit episodes for you all. It sure does feel good to see those waveforms on editing software again.
From Katie W…
Reach PLC have launched SO MANY new job roles with a brand new news site in Aberdeen, if you are applying please don’t hesitate to get in touch, I’m more than happy to help. I’ve been enjoying my time with Edinburgh Live and am so thankful for everyone who helped me along the way, I would love to offer that support to some of you.
And in your application, if you find the job here it would be great if you say ‘Katie Williams’ (that’s me) referred you or ‘how you found the job.’
I’ve been trying to make the most of the good weather even though I’m stuck to my desk most days but I’ve found getting up a little earlier and heading out for a walk/jog does the trick.
I listen to the latest headlines so by the time I log in to work, I already have ideas and I’m wide awake.
I never thought I’d be THAT guy, mornings are always the worst for me but since the summer has hit Scotland, things just feel a little easier.
#SnackofNatter - Katie W nattered to Craig Paton at Press Association about news wires - listen now!
Journo tip of the week
Let’s chat… boosting your CV with digital skills courses
Katie B: Learning skills on a degree, through work experience or on the job all contributes to your CV but something I didn’t know when I was studying was the amount of free online courses that can help you to stand out when applying for jobs.
- Google Digital Garage has a digital marketing course that helps you master the basics of digital marketing. Its 26 modules (estimated 40 hours) and has self-paced learning, video tutorials and you get a recognised certificate once you’ve completed it.
- Hubspot Academy has a social media marketing course (4 hours/40 videos/29 quizzes) that guides you through how to develop an engaging and effective social media strategy.
- If you’re looking for something more intermediate, FutureLearn also has a Digital Marketing: Coding, UX, and Creating Digital Content course (7 day free trial, £36 per month/8 week course) which awards you with a CPD qualification. You’ll learn about UX, coding, how to create engaging online content and understand what makes an effective social media campaign.
Who to follow
Liam Hadley - audio producer for Radio 1
Caroline Pankhurst - runs the Be Braver Collective which is an online community with monthly group coaching sessions, supportive networks and inspiring events
Joshi Herrmann - editor for Manchester Mill
Fern McErlane - trainee journalist at JournoResources
NN reacts
Katie W: Yes I’m still watching Love Island and wow things are getting tense and it seems the Love Island fans are divided over the latest spat. I am definitely Team Hugo, but I think he’s not really taking much time to get to know the new girls which might not work in his favour when the public votes again.
Katie B: I am living for the Love Island drama but also loving this news!!
Song of the week
Katie W: It’s been show tunes only this week.
Katie B:
Jobs and opportunities
FREELANCE: Josephine Price is commissioning for @NatGeoTravelUK (website only). Make your pitches ‘fresh, dynamic and challenging’ and pitch to josephine.price@natgeotraveller.co.uk.
FREELANCE: Got a news or opinion pitch for The Flock? Email hello@flockmag.com. All commissions are paid.
GATESHEAD: MediaWorks are hiring right across their business following a batch of major account wins. Head over to their website for more information.
SUNDERLAND: GB Travel Group are looking for a marketing executive. Perfect entry level full time role, £18k salary (internship). You’ll be responsible for development and implementation of their company marketing strategy, social media marketing, web development and promotion of events. Closing date is 1st August.
STOCKTON-ON-TEES: Butterwick Hospice Care are looking for a communications & marketing manager. You’ll be providing key messaging to develop and support varied campaigns and day to day communication activities. £28k salary, closing date is 26th July.
YORKSHIRE: Bauer Media are hiring a multimedia news and sports reporter (permanent/full time). In a day you’ll be producing multimedia content on multiple news stories for on-air, their website and social media channels; react to breaking news in your patch; report from the scene of news events across all platforms; secure exclusive, original stories and work reactively and proactively to ensure a local and national news agenda. Closing date is 26th July.
LEEDS: SWNS are hiring an experienced reporter. They’re looking for applicants with an NCTJ/similar qualification, 100wpm shorthand and driving licence. Closing date is 21st August.
LEEDS: Are you a history buff? Reach PLC are hiring a Nostalgia Writer. It’s home based but applicants are expected to live in the Leeds and Yorkshire area.
MENTORSHIP: Applications close soon for the SYP 2021 mentorship scheme for anyone who wants to get into and get ahead in the publishing industry. Apply before midnight on 26th July if you live in Scotland and the North.
KIRKWALL: BBC Radio Orkney is hiring a journalist to join their team. You need to be able to get on well with people and be prepared for live broadcasting and multimedia reporting. Closing date is 26th July.
LIVERPOOL: Does the camera love you? Reach PLC are looking for a video journalist to work across their publications including Liverpool Echo and across their regional titles which include Manchester Evening News, My London, BirminghamLive and Wales Online. A key part of this role is creating social media video content to tell the stories that matter, increase engagement and reach out to their online audience on different platforms.
ABERDEEN: Reach PLC are launching a new site: Aberdeen Live!! They’re looking to fill their newsrooms (virtually). They are looking for Trainee reporters, Reporters, Content Editor, Engagement Producer and Editor.
GLASGOW: STV are looking for a runner to join their team. To apply, send your CV and covering letter as one document to hr@stv.tv
GLASGOW: The Big Issue are hiring a production editor to lead the production process for magazine and digital. Reporting to the editorial Director you will also oversee any other publications or online projects produced by The Big Issue including in-house or external commercial work. Email hr@bigissue.com stating the job title to apply. Closing date is 30th July.
GLASGOW: Scottish Express is being relaunched (fellow Scots might remember it from a while back) but now it’s coming back and have advertised a good few roles including a Live Politics writer.
GLASGOW: You can see more roles for the Scottish Express here, by setting your location as Glasgow.
EDINBURGH: Screen Scotland are hiring a screen production & skills officer. You will work closely with industry and associated partners to devise bespoke training approaches and offer guidance through forums such as the skills working groups. £29,285 – £37,304 (Grade C) plus benefits. Closing date is 9th August at noon.
EDINBURGH: Visit Scotland are looking for a PR Executive. Responsibilities include: developing news-worthy PR stories, managing press enquiries, developing media visit itineraries and media list creation & maintenance. £23,318 - £25,673 a year.
EDINBURGH: National Galleries Scotland are looking for a digital & social media officer. £25,350 - £27,687 salary. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to commission, develop, gather and produce engaging content for their audiences on all social and digital media channels and monitor and evaluate social media engagement, ensuring content is accurate and accessible.
DUNDEE: DC Thomson Media are hiring a food and drink journalist to join their team. To apply, email your CV and covering letter to recruitment@dcthomson.co.uk
Good luck if you are applying!