Networking Opportunities for Emerging Journalists

I have worked on both sides of the media comment divide, as a journo and as a source. I do a lot of media engagement in my current role, and wanted to offer some tips to journalists starting out on building their networks: —share, don’t sponge. You are much more valuable as a contact if you, the reporter, take something to your contact that they don’t know, or if you can enrich their understanding of a subject. That’s the key to the relationship. I am not here just to plug comment into your piece, and I am not interested in doing that. I am here for a conversation, and to learn. My best relationships with reporters are not those that result in the most on record comments. —do the work. I have been surprised and disappointed in recent months by the lack of effort some reporters now put into their own research, and how much they want contacts to do for them. In two cases, the requests have represented what would have been hours of work for me. Much easier just to say no to the whole ask. —write your own questions. Please don’t use AI to write your questions. Your brain is better and your ideas more original. —be sociable. Email before you WhatsApp if we haven’t spoken before. Introduce yourself, send me some links to your recent work. If you aren’t on a strict deadline with an urgent story, please keep to business hours. My work already has major line blurring challenges so I try and limit adding to that. If you are on a strict deadline with a breaking story or a scoop, tell me and I will do my best to turn something around for you. If I can’t, I’ll tell you straight up. What did I miss?

How I landed my column with The Times at 26 years old: If you follow me on socials, it might look like it just happened overnight. But in reality, so many opportunities are the product of years of hard work and hustling behind the scenes. 1⃣ Start by establishing your credibility as a writer in your niche on your own channels. I had 50 followers on social media in September 2020 when I started working in VC... content has opened quite literally every door for me since then. I started writing about trends & innovation on Twitter, then expanded to LinkedIn, and now I have my own newsletter and 200K+ followers. My deep dives on Gen Z, industries like EdTech and PetTech, and emerging trends like the metaverse & rise of paid membership communities have been read by millions of people. Just start, your ideas and perspective is valuable. 2⃣ Start writing for publications as a contributor. As you command more expertise in your niche, this can come inbound but you can also pitch reporters with ideas! My first ever press feature was in Business Insider. Since then, I've been proactively building relationships (and friendships!) with reporters who spend time covering VC, startups, and/or Gen Z trends across industries, and frequently pitch people in my network with ideas! Last term, I had the opportunity to do op-eds for Sifted & The Economist, so was able to get more writing chops under my belt before I approached The Times. 3⃣ Actively ASK for opportunities. They won't come to you. This opportunity manifested itself at the Student Activities Fair at the University of Oxford of all places. They were marketing their student plans on campus, and there were some editors there... so I decided to shoot my shot! The Times featured me in their magazine in Fall of 2022, so I walked up to them to pitch myself: showing them my feature, talking about some of the op-eds I had done recently with other pubs, and sharing my insights on Gen Z that might be relevant to founders, marketers, and brands. That reporter connected me to someone, who connected me to someone, who brought me on board as their first dedicated Gen Z expert (with my own column) 🥰 ❤️ ✨ -- Success is made of building blocks. My own writing helped me land features, which helped me land op-ed/contributor pieces, which helped me land my column. As someone who's impatient, it can be frustrating to know exactly what you want to do, but not see things materialize right away. Trust me, it's worth playing the long game 😉 #career #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #careeradvice #careergoals #genz #youngprofessionals #youngprofessional #success #successstory #successmindset #successstories #reporter #reporting #press #columnist #studentsuccess #student #students

I might be generalising, but this is what I’ve observed about younger journalists Many in the younger generation don’t seem to value building meaningful relationships with PR professionals, publicists, experts, and the like. I keep encouraging the younger ones to nurture connections beyond just getting a comment or attending an event, but for some, it’s a once-off transaction. It’s honestly frustrating. I come from the black book era, where every contact was logged, cherished, and carried throughout your career. Some would be relevant immediately, others much later, and some never at all—but you kept them, because you never know. Again, I may be generalising, but wow! Young stars today often take for granted just how powerful good relationships are. I owe a lot of my most groundbreaking work to brilliant PR people who had me signing NDAs, and publicists who made sure the talent delivered solid shoots and quotes—even when they were less than sober! As an editor, I often send young journalists to events I’m invited to, to give them exposure. But some don’t even bother to network or leave with a list of contacts—for themselves, not just for me or the brand. For themselves. So, if you’re a young journalist, here’s the bottom line: Build your contact book. That’s your currency in this industry. Why it matters: -When stories break, you know exactly who to call. -Trusted relationships lead to exclusives and early tips. -A solid network can save a bad shoot, salvage a tough deadline, or land you your next opportunity. -You build a reputation—people answer your emails, take your calls, and advocate for you when you’re not in the room. -You grow with your contacts; today’s assistant could be tomorrow’s editor, publicist, or brand manager. -Relationships are long-term investments. Make them count. #YoungJournalists #NetworkingMatters #MediaRelationships #JournalismTips #RelationshipBuilding #CareerGrowth #IndustryConnections #ProfessionalNetwork

Attending NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists) this week? This can be a valuable opportunity to network, learn new skills, and stay updated on industry trends. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience: 1. Plan and prepare in advance: Review the conference agenda, identify the sessions and speakers that interest you the most, and create a schedule (download the guidebook app!). Prepare any questions you want to ask or specific topics you want to explore. 2. Set goals: Determine what you hope to achieve from the conference. It could be meeting influential journalists, learning about emerging technologies, finding a new job, or gaining insights into specific areas. Setting goals will help you stay focused and make the most of your time. 3. Network, Network, Network! Conferences provide excellent networking opportunities where you can meet people you may not otherwise have access to. Engage in conversations with fellow attendees, introduce yourself, and exchange contact information. Be genuinely interested in others' work and offer your perspectives. Remember to follow up with the people you meet after the conference to build lasting connections. 4. Attend sessions: Choose sessions and workshops that align with your goals and interests. Take notes, participate in discussions, and ask questions during Q&A sessions. Be open to different perspectives and new ideas. 5. Engage with exhibitors and sponsors: Explore products, services, and initiatives. Engaging with exhibitors can lead to valuable connections and collaborations. Ask questions, seek advice, and express your interest in their work. 6. Utilize social media: Follow #NAHJ2023CONVENTION on social media platforms to stay updated on real-time discussions and announcements. Engage with other attendees, share your own insights, and connect with people through platforms like Twitter, Threads and LinkedIn. 7. Document your experience: Take notes throughout the conference, capturing key takeaways, quotes, and ideas. Consider live-tweeting or writing blog posts about interesting sessions or topics. Documenting your experience will help you process and retain the information you gather. 8. Take breaks! Conferences can be overwhelming (with back-to-back sessions and networking activities. Remember to take breaks, hydrate, eat well, and get enough rest. Pace yourself to ensure you have the energy to fully engage in the conference. 9. Follow up after the conference: After the event, reach out to the people you connected with, whether it's fellow attendees, speakers, or exhibitors. Send personalized follow-up emails or connect on professional networking platforms. Remember, the key to getting the most out of any journalism conference is to be proactive, engaged, and open to new experiences. Enjoy the event and make the most of every opportunity it presents! Hope to meet you there! #hrtips #nahj2023 #journalism #networking

🔗 #Networking101 for #Introverts and Newcomers 😀 Feeling overwhelmed about networking as a new entrant to the professional world? Here's how to build connections without draining your social battery: 1. Craft your digital presence:   • Polish your #LinkedIn profile with keywords 🔍   • Share industry #insights around your expertise or core competence through short posts 📊   • Comment thoughtfully on others' content and engage with people 💬 2. Embrace asynchronous #networking:   • Join relevant Digital Communities or #Discord servers 🕓   • Participate in these discussions at your own pace - Consider Reddit, Quora or LinkedIn Groups to get started 🖥️   • Use DMs to reach out to people and follow up for a coffee or some mentorship time 📧 3. Leverage your strengths:   • Offer to help people with tasks or research 📚   • Share your unique perspective through Blogs or Articles, esp on LinkedIn 📝   • Create infographics or visuals to stand out. Start using Canva - it is a silent powerhouse for crafting visual stories that attract attention 🎨 4. Quality over quantity:   • Set a goal to have one meaningful interaction per week 🎯   • Focus on building 2-3 solid professional relationships monthly, without any expectation in return 🤝   • Nurture these connections with periodic check-ins 🌱 5. Strategic event attendance:   • Choose smaller, niche events over large conferences 🏷️   • Arrive early or stay till the end to acclimate and meet others in a candid setup 🕰️   • Set a goal to have 2-3 quality conversations, then allow yourself to leave 🚪 6. Use technology to your advantage:   • Set up informational video calls instead of in-person meetings, if you are an introvert and need time in building confidence ☎️   • Use AI tools to help draft outreach messages 🤖   • Create a curated Twitter, YouTube or Instagram list of industry influencers to engage with. Always target the top industry voices to start with 🐦 7. Practice self-care:   • Schedule 'recharge time' after networking activities 🔋   • Celebrate small wins in your networking journey 🎉   • Remember: It is okay to say no to events that don't align with your goals ❌ Remember: Everyone starts somewhere. Your fresh perspective is valuable! #IntrovertNetworking #CareerGrowth #NewbieSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment #NetworkingHacks

Earlier this month, Howard Littler, Andrew Misra, Maggie Curtis and I visited the University of Lincoln to speak with journalism students about the power of mentorship and networking through the John Schofield Trust. For those entering the industry without existing contacts, the Trust provides a world-class programme with masterclasses and a mentor to guide you as you take your first steps in newsrooms. Three takeaways from the session: 1️⃣ Talk to people: don’t be shy. Ask professionals you admire for advice and feedback on your work 2️⃣ Find your niche and stay versatile: newsrooms value journalists with expertise who can still cover any story in any format 3️⃣ Use your own platform: blogs, Instagram or Substack projects count. Recruiters notice them, and they show commitment! More info: https://lnkd.in/dUMmtAnn