Best journalism advice/tips you ever received

I wrote a feature as an intern that was a pile of hot garbage. The interview was bad, the story was lame and I hated it. Granted, I was still green as hell, but I was just generally bemoaning what a shitshow the whole process had been and a guy who had been in the business for 20 years stopped me and told me that I should try like hell to bust ass and make every story awesome, but that there were always going to be stories here and there that I was going to simply have to grit my teeth and get through.

That always stuck with me. I'd like to think we've all had those stories that sucked, but simply had to be done. I don't let those bother nearly as much as I used to.

 

A lot of great stuff on here. Thanks. Keep 'em coming.

I should point out that there's a reason this was on my list: 2. What good advice is still applicable to a current journalism student?

I'm well aware of the state of the industry. It's true that it's more challenging to offer advice and job-related tips (hacks, as the cool kids call them?) that will have any real-world application anymore, but that's what I'm looking for. There are plenty of you out there with knowledge about journalism who know pointers that still apply today. Some are already on this thread. I'd love to see more.

I'd appreciate it if we could keep the same ol' complaints about the suits (which I don't necessarily disagree with in toto) to the dozens of other threads where they can be found and are more appropriate.

 

I hate this sentiment so much. I love what I do. I'm not in newspapers any more, but I still edit and report for a news gathering publication.

Can't imagine doing anything else. I've spent my entire career involved in sports. Had good days and bad, but the good far outnumber the bad.

I understand the frustration. I've gone through the layoffs and the cutbacks, and everything else, like many on here.

But if you hate it so much, and aren't actively trying to get out, fuck off. And if you don't like the money, fuck off too. Plenty of vapid professions out there to make more bucks.

 

I'll agree with @SnarkShark: Entering this profession was the best choice/happiest accident that could have happened for me. It's been a blessing. There are fewer good jobs in this business than there were, but the good jobs are the best jobs on earth.

Also agree with so much of the advice here.

Mine, on the first day I was in a baseball clubhouse, from a beat veteran: "Don't try to bluff these guys. They know the game better than you. But they're happy to explain it to you. It's what they love. They'll want you to understand. Are you genuinely curious about something, about how something happened or why they did what they did? Ask them. They'll tell you. But don't ever pretend you know. They'll see through that in a second, and you'll be dead in here. Also, don't get caught looking at anyone's dick."

 

Along with what Jordan said: perfect is the enemy of good. Sometimes you have to just hit "send" and be done with it.

 

Once again, bitch, you don't understand sarcasm.

I love what I do. I've done it for 25 years and would never trade it for a dollar more. You eat, drink, breathe and sleep this profession if you're a real journalist. I've never regretted my choice and I'll stay in this business to the bitter end. You're the quitter, not me. You're trying to relive your glory days on a message board. Thank God I'm not miserable in my skin like you. But what more should anyone expect from a LibTard Snowflake?

 

You are acting bizarre in this post. Obviously this is in your blood and that's what they want. Low pay, no raises, no overtime or you will be shown the door soon, they'll get rid of you if you won't gladly work 70 and get paid 40; constant demands from the top that are time wasters. Low low pay, doing the work of two people at all times. It's a wretched profession. And it's OK for us to warn others to stay away. There's no future in it for anybody at a real newspaper. Now The Athletic and places like that? Sure, they have a chance.

 

You are the most loathsome person on this board. You provide nothing of substance or thought.

 

I'm thinking of adding to my list for this group of college journalism students: Go to SportsJournalists.com at your peril. Or, stay away from SportsJournalists.com. Or, visit SportsJournalists.com and see your future. Is it too much to ask that if you don't have anything to contribute*, please go to any of the many threads with long-running feuds? There are plenty of places to continue these tired pissing matches and complaints about chains/suits/everything. Plenty.

* 1. What's the best journalism advice or pointer someone ever gave you? Feel free to explain why it was so valuable compared to the rest.

* 2. What good advice is still applicable to a current journalism student? ("Don't go into journalism," while certainly advice that has merit, does not count)

This is for a group of college students in a journalism class, but it could apply to anyone at that stage in life pursuing any kind of career in a research/communication-centric field.

 

I think there are very few people on this board who actually hate journalism, or who really regret that they went into it. That stands even if they may, perhaps, regret that they didn't get out of it sooner.

And Doc Holliday is among the most ardent believers in and supporters of the field, even as it is now. If you've read any/many of his posts, you'd have realized that you were missing the sarcasm, SnarkShark.

Now, guys, please, let's not let this thread jump the (snark?) shark. OK?

 

An editor at my first paper told me: Want to know the cure for writer's block? Lower your standards.

And of course, meet the deadline.

 

We write for our readers, not for our sources. I think that it's easy to fall into the trap of enjoying praise from sources - or avoiding confrontations with them. So this is a vital one to keep in mind.

Become a great reporter first, and the rest will follow. I think too often college students just want to start spewing their opinions.