Picture this: you walk into a newsroom ready to start your day and it’s dead. Nothing is happening; there is no news to be reported.
Suddenly, the scratchy-sounding police scanners are yelling. Twitter is blowing up with people talking about a breaking news event that happened five seconds ago. You have no more than one minute to grab all of your equipment and leave the newsroom.
A journalist’s day is never the same because breaking news is so unpredictable and unscheduled, unlike news conferences.
Therefore, it’s a journalist’s job to be prepared and ready to chase a story at any given moment during a news shift.
Below are some tips for aspiring journalists on how to be a journalist that will help you write better stories and enjoy your day-to-day job amid the chaotic profession.
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1. Be prepared with the right supplies.
As a journalist, I cannot stress enough how important it is to have the right equipment and supplies with you at all times. Remember, breaking news is breaking for a reason. It’s always important to have the right tools you need to make sure you’re writing he best story you possibly can. This includes the following:
-Pencils and pens to take down notes. Never underestimate the importance of a working writing utensil. The moment you don’t have one is the moment you miss out on an important quote that changes the context of a news story.
-Recording device. Sometimes, listening to your interviewee is not enough because you may miss key elements of a quote that change the dynamic of what they are saying. Did he say he ‘was’or ‘wasn’t’in support? Every word counts. A recording device is a good back-up source to double-check what interviewees are saying, thus making it easier for you to do your job and report fair, accurate news.
-Food and drink. You cannot predict how long you will be out covering a news story or where you will be. Always pack some food with you to give you a boost of energy so you can go about your day. Granola bars are always a good choice.
2. Make sure your devices are fully charged.
Being a journalist today is more than writing a news story. It’s about reaching out to your audience on social media and keeping people up to date on the news you’re covering. Carrying around a fully-charged cellphone or tablet will enable you to produce full coverage. Remember, people can’t wait for a news story to be printed in the paper or uploaded online. People want news ASAP. Not only that, but if you’re moving from location to location and don’t know where to go, you can use your phone to look up locations, directions, etc.
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3. Respect deadlines.
Whether you’re writing a news story or filming a segment for a news broadcast, there is always a deadline. Deadlines exist for a reason: people have a job to do once you’re done your job. That may include copy-editing a news story before it goes online or is laid out in the newspaper. For a broadcast, stories accompanying video must be copy-edited, videos must be organized in a specific order for the broadcast. In order for media outlets to work fluidly, journalists must follow deadlines, or the flow of work falls out of order.
4. Bring a video/camera.
The written word is powerful, but as they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. News stories should always be accompanied with a visual element. Visuals, including pictures and video, can help a journalist tell their story while enhancing the audience’s experience. Plus, if an interviewee is passionate about the story they’re sharing, chances are good their emotions and passion will produce a compelling video.
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5. Be ready to meet and talk to people.
Journalists should be social butterflies in the sense that they love to talk to people. Communication and social skills are imperative in journalism. Journalists cannot be afraid to reach out to strangers. After all, it’s the people you don’t know that have information to share. If you are shy about talking to people, you won’t be able to chase the sources you need to get the story.
6. Be passionate about what you do!
Journalists have many skills and passions in common, one of them being telling stories. Journalists have a passion for the written word and want to share stories with the general public. It’s important that you enjoy talking to people, enjoy spending time pulling together a story. If you don’t enjoy what you do, you won’t be happy and won’t feel inspired to do your best work. Be true to yourself and true to your interests because the general public is relying on you for the news.
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