When one door shuts...
Podcasts, journo tips and advice
From Katie B…
We made it to Friday! Another week of 2021 over, how is it March already? I’m really happy to see the podcast hit 700 downloads this week! 🎙😍
After getting shortlisted for a job and completing a job interview a few weeks ago - my current job ends next week. I’m ‘excited’ to continue applying for jobs and widening my experience in sectors that I love. It’s all about mindset for me. I’ve got a supportive family, boyfriend and friendship group which really makes the hard times easier.
Over the last seven months in my current job, I have learned SO much! From completing training to managing a team of five students, graduating with a journalism degree in 2019 has opened so many doors for me and has helped me to increase my confidence over the last year. I’m truly grateful.
From Katie W…
Last night was the first time in 6 days I wasn’t up working till 1am. Remember how I said I was getting better at time management? I lied. I’ve been working on a thing and ended up turning down editing work because I knew I couldn’t fit it in. It takes me SO long to write and I really struggled to concentrate on it all. In all honestly, how much do I really enjoy writing these days? I knew I had to persevere because I want to expand my writing portfolio and try to write things other than opinion pieces.
But my producer offered me another podcast to edit last night, I took it and sent the other thing off. I wanted to work on something I know I’m good at. You know what I mean? So if you see me twittering about writing articles etc, I promise it isn’t clean sailing and I’m probably only tweeting about it to procrastinate from writing the damn thing.
I was rejected from a traineeship with Channel 4 this morning BUT I’m starting work experience at Radio Clyde News for two weeks! I know it’s going to be full-on but I am so ready to get stuck in and learn the ropes. Oh and that’s a reminder that not all journalism is writing and pitching articles.
Journo tip of the week
This leads me to my journo tip of the week, exploring different formats…
Katie W: As I said, journalism isn’t just writing. Sometimes it’s never writing. I have really found my passion and strength in audio production - which led me to podcasts and grabbing that work experience. If you can add different tools to your belt, like knowing how to tell stories through audio or video, or graphics and data, then that will give you an edge and offer another thing to talk about in interviews and just in general chat. At the end of the day, journalism is storytelling. And there are no rules on how to tell those stories.
We natter exactly about this here:
NN Reacts - what we love:
Katie B:
The end is in sight! If the ‘roadmap out of lockdown’ works, I’m excited to walk more and find quiet places to explore. The lockdown has been hard for everyone but one thing we can take from all of this is the beauty of outside and how much we have in life to be thankful for. This photo was taken in Crook Hall in August 2019.
Katie W: Do you know what I love? Audio Editing. And my first PAID podcast edit is now live on Grazia. And that’s what I’m loving this week. https://planetradio.co.uk/podcasts/grazia-beauty-life-lessons/listen/2040770/
Who to follow
Aurelia Magazine is an online magazine, focused on uplifting first-person stories and opinions of marginalised genders. Based in Manchester, they also have their own podcast!
Rachel Charlton-Dailey is a disabled freelance journalist & activist from South Shields. She is founder and editor of The Unwritten Pub.
Nell is a film writer and just a delight. You can read their work here.
Audio Network Scotland is a network for people who love and/or are involved in audio work - whether that be radio or podcasts and hold monthly Q/A’s with professionals in the industry. It is run by Bespoken Media.
Song of the Week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Journo Jobs and Opps
With the start of a new month, freelance call outs have kept on coming! Unless stated otherwise, everything is paid.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Iain Pope from the Scotsman is offering 2 week placements for work experience. The Scotsman has been a brilliant first step for many so do get in touch with him.
FREELANCE: Good Housekeeping are looking for memoir-style stories to commission from women from all background (mostly aged 35+) - pitch to arielle.tchiprout@hearst.co.uk.
FREELANCE: Miranda Larbi from Stylist wants non-white journalists to pitch about fitness. She is looking for technical pieces, first-person and nutrition features. Pitch to miranda.larbi@stylist.co.uk.
FREELANCE: Aurelia is open to pitches again with a personal angle. Shaded gives a heads up on Twitter to what has already been published.
FREELANCE: I Am Well And Good are accepting pitches for Women’s History Month. Looking to hear from women, non-binary to write letters to the women who have inspired them. Rates start at $300. Email abbey.stone@wellandgood.com.
FREELANCE: Britni from Shondaland is commissioning for March/April. Looking for author interviews/profiles, entertainment profiles, culture pitches about film/TV and profiles of “dope” women impacting communities. Pays a fab $500+.
FREELANCE: Passionate about social media and blogging? Laowai Career are hiring a copywriter.
DC Thomson are hiring a range of writers:
ABERDEEN: Obituaries Writers.
INVERNESS/ABERDEEN: Schools and Family Journalist
INVERNESS: Shorthand up to scratch? They’re looking for a Crime and Courts Journalist
INVERNESS: Sports Journalist
GLASGOW: Reach are hiring a Commercial Content Writer on a 14-month contract.
MANCHESTER: Cognitive Publishing are looking for a multimedia journalist to join their team and play a vital role in delivering exceptional content across all channels including magazines, websites, social media, video and podcasts.
MANCHESTER: Forward Role Recruitment are hiring a Social Media and Content Executive. Sounds like a senior role but they are only asking for 2 years experience and the pay range is from 23-25k a year which sounds more entry-level to be honest.
LEEDS: Spotlight Sports Group are recruiting a copywriter to create engaging content across a range of mediums including articles, research pieces and press release. Perfect opportunity to develop your writing career within a fast-paced working environment.
LEEDS: Major Players are hiring a Head of Content and Social Media for a beauty and cosmetics brand.
REMOTE: FUTURE X are looking for a copy, content and communications coordinator. 4-day week, full time, permanent role. £18k-£24k dependent on experience.
REMOTE: Lifestyle publisher, Muddy Stilettos are hiring a part-time editor for its Wiltshire edition.
REMOTE: Media Search are hiring a senior tech journalist £35-40k salary.
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