My oh so wise advice for budding journos

After doing a bit of blog surfing the other day, I ended up finding this little ditty about how to become a successful ‘lazy’ writer. Or whatever. Finding it very interesting (and amusing) I showed it to my old course tutor over at Cardiff Journalism School and he thought it was so good, he’s emailing out to his flock as we speak.

I’ve only been a 'working journalist' (for some reason that sounds very dodgy to me) for three years, but every now and then I get emailed for advice about how to ‘get into’ journalism, which course to take (if at all) and what to do about work experience. The following is mostly taken (and adapted) from a stock email I used to send out to those sweet fools who thought I was any the wiser, and other things I’ve learned since working on mags, freelancing and dealing with contributors.

Obviously the following might be a load of crap and I’m not for one moment saying that I’m an expert. If you think different then feel free to add your experiences. Right. Disclaimer over.

Journalism courses?
Back in August 2004, after completing my post graduate diploma, I thought doing a journalism course was a total waste of time. I had poured £4,000 into the course, had ‘wasted’ a year of hard work and dedication (when I could have been out getting work etc), and here I was (after a long summer of work placements and freelancing) still unemployed. But, then I got offered a job on a magazine at Future Publishing (it was actually the first journalism job I’d applied for). I think a lot of new graduates feel the same way, but then as soon as they find a job, they realise that doing the course boosts your employment potential; they don't realise until it matters that it was worth it.

Yes, there are many routes into magazines, but more and more these days, people want to be able to plonk you in front of a Mac (yes, a Mac) and for you to get on with it. Not very many magazine companies have time to train you from the absolute beginning, even if you start as the junior writer/tea boy/photocopier (which is why doing as many work placements as poss is great).

Thousands of people apply for magazine jobs as they think it's glamorous and easy, but very few actually have the training and skills to do it. And having something on your CV that’ll help you stand out from the crowd (like the right journalism course) will more or less guarantee you an interview – if the course is good enough, then employers will know about it and know you have the skills to perform.

As far as courses are concerned, it's definitely worth it (if you can afford it), purely for the skills you'll learn (programs like InDesign for example) the opportunity to learn shorthand for free, and the honing of your writing and research skills.

A Levels and Degrees
I think most journalists today are expected to have A Levels and a degree. Gone are the days of working your way up from being a plucky youngster on a work placement to senior editor (well, it’s one in a million, anyway).

As far as quals go, I would certainly recommend English A Level – but anything that develops your writing and reading skills is good. History is also popular with journo post grads as is Sociology and languages. I don't think it really matters what A Levels you do as long as you get good grades and enjoy what you're doing! Employers and course directors want to see that you're dedicated enough to spend two years immersed in a subject and obviously have the brains and work ethic to get the job done.

The exception to the rule is Media Studies/Communication Studies. Although these are probably very interesting, journos and tutors on Post Grad courses apparently don't like these (and there are also many who dislike Media Studies as a degree course – see below).

I think what is *more* important is what you do for your degree, although this is also flexible. Most of the guys I know in the industry did English, History, Politics, Sociology, French… Although my last two editors did Chemistry and Engineering respectively, so… Basically, as long as you do something that's meaty (and not flaky), something that proves you can write and research thoroughly, and something that needs dedication and passion to do well in, then that's good. And don't worry about firsts. A 2:1 will serve just fine (on mags anyway).

Work experience/Portfolio/Attitude
What really matters in Journalism (whether you're going for a job, or a post grad course) is your experience and your portfolio. And if you can demonstrate your dedication and passion for the role, you'll get an interview:
> Read as many magazines as you can (and not just the ones you'd read anyway – grab a copy of Cross Stitcher or Horse Monthly). What's good about them? What's bad about them? What does their main rival do better? Get used to thinking about mags in this way, and as a business.
> Get work experience on any magazines you can (even Horse Monthly), or on your local paper – anything that'll give you experience (something to put on the CV)
> Try and write as much as you can while you're there – even if it's a small paragraph or two and add it to your portfolio.
> Be friendly, on time and ALWAYS be willing to do anything they ask, even if it's the coffee run. If they like you, they'll let you back and next time they might give you some writing to do.
> Ask any local free magazines if you can write for them (for free if necessary) – again, even if it's something small: anything to boost your portfolio.
> Write a well-informed, interesting and energetic blog (not just the usual, “This is what I did today,” ones).
> Get in the door any way you can – a friend of mine started on a national newspaper’s classified pages. She was on the features desk within two years… My current staff writer started in the technical department, creating our cover CDs. He's on his way to becoming our deputy editor.

Freelance
Tricky if you’re fresh to the industry, but if you’ve got a strong portfolio from your work experience/course/blog and can demonstrate your writing skills, then building up a relationship with commissioning editors shouldn’t be a problem. And once you’re doing regular work in your PJs watching Jeremy Kyle, you’ll actually wonder why you wanted to work in an office anyway!
> Don’t just email off finished articles without chatting to the commissioning editor first. Instead, contact them (email’s best) and pitch your idea in a simple one-paragraph bite. Don’t forget your contact details.
> Follow your pitch up a few days later if they’ve not got back to you.
> Once commissioned: a) Do what you’re asked to do, not what you want to do. b) Always make sure you check your commission to make sure you’ve done everything before sending. c) Check and double-check your copy for spelling mistakes etc.
> Give them everything they’ve asked for in one go (not several word docs, each emailed separately on different days, for example).
> Always hand your copy in on time (if not the day before… if not the week before).
> Keep in touch with the commissioning editor – ask if the copy is OK, if there is anything else they want, or anything else they’d like you to do (but don’t hassle them, and don’t come across as a stalker).
> Always let commissioning editors know asap if you’re ill, or can’t do the work for whatever reason (or if your copy is going to be late – which of course, it won’t because you’re uber organised and reliable, right?).
> Never let a message go unanswered. Always call the commissioning editor back asap to answer their queries or explain yourself! Be reliable.
> Keep a record of what you’ve written and when you submitted it as mags are notoriously lax at paying their freelancers – a lot of the time, you’ll have to put your chasing hat on.
> Make sure the commissioning editor knows you’re available and are keen to do more.
> Always let commissioning editors know well in advance if/when you’re going on holiday or are ill so they know not to commission you for that time period.
> It helps (especially here at Future) if you have a hobby. Almost anyone can write about Angelina Jolie’s weight, or the latest Radiohead album, but not everyone can review the latest version of Cubase 4.1, or churn out 50 tips for faster 3D rendering for example. That future deputy I mentioned? His hobby is music technology (and he trained as a music technician).
> But don’t narrow yourself down too much – obviously you don’t want to load all your eggs in one basket. Having a hobby/interest that you can write about definitely helps make you stand out from the crowd.

Journalism is a difficult industry to get into. There are thousands of carbon copies of you, all trying to get the same jobs (and all willing to do your job for less), so you must find ways of standing out and continually impressing editors. Do this through your work experience, portfolio and attitude/work ethic. Be willing to go that extra mile and you should succeed.