Breaking into Media

Good advice on how to break into media in this video. My question is , how do you develop those relationships? Do you to send emails off to different editors and writers with clips and hope they read them and give you advice?

 

Well, they're not exactly going to seek people out.

Who do you admire? Reach out with an email, say you're a fan of their work, and ask if they have any advice. Add a link or two if you want them to critique something. Don't ask outright for a job.

Skip writing for Bleacher Report and SBNation and instead do internships in college. Yes, they should be paid, but many aren't. Get one that will allow you to do a variety of things instead of just taking box scores over the phone or getting coffee. You'll be better off, even if that means you pass up interning for a larger outlet in favor of a small one that actually will use you. Ask your coworkers how they got started, what they've learned, if they have any advice.

In other words, it comes down to a recurring theme in journalism: Take the initiative.

 

Thank you for the advice.

 

This is harder than it used to be because there are fewer freelance opportunities out there. But I'd say work for your college newspaper and befriend all the beat writers you can. Ask questions. Share ideas. Be entertaining.

My first job at a daily came from a tip from the guy I sat next to on press row when I worked at the college newspaper.

I am no longer in the industry (thank goodness). But in my new field, I try to e-mail or Tweet at someone I admire every day. Building connections means everything, regardless your field.

 

I'll add this: I've been doing this sports-writing thing at established newspapers since I was 19, and I'll be 41 in two weeks. Every single job I've ever gotten in my adult life has come because of someone I know and a good relationship I've developed, regardless of it was two years ago or 10.

It just goes to show that getting employment and keeping it might be about what you know, but even more about who you know.

 

This is accurate, and something I wish I would have known at 19. I was naive. I thought going to a great school and working my ass off would be enough. It's not. You need to be willing to put yourself out there and ask for help, knowing that not everyone you reach out to is going to offer assistance -- or even respond to you.

 

I'm still just starting out. My current job and every freelance assignment I've ever had has come via networking.

 

For college students I strongly echo the idea of pursuing internships. Paid would be great, but often you can achieve course credits if not a paycheck. Build a wealth of experience and let them know you are open to chasing down stories. Any stories. Prove yourself with the basic stuff, and work your way to gamers and profile pieces. Build your portfolio of clips and more importantly start networking and let people see you are a hard-worker. Jobs are scarce, you want to be in prime position to pounce when one opens up.

 

Another opportunity is conferences - job fairs are good, but SPJ and Poynter conferences are better. Anybody can attend, ask a few smart questions in a breakout led by a writer or editor you admire or want to connect with, introduce yourself at the end.