How can I quickly come to grips with journalist/editor basics?
July 18, 2010 7:19 PM Subscribe
Magazine editor for dummies? How can I quickly come to grips with journalist/editor basics? I have been offered a job as an editor but I have never done this sort of work before.
I'm a freelance copywriter/pro-blogger/brand strategist who has recently been offered a job as a section editor at a contemporary culture magazine... Bit of fashion, books, music, games and design. I'd be 'design'. Which is fine, I am well versed in design, worked in graphic agencies for years and know how to write.
However I know nothing about journalism! Or how print media works on the inside. This is freaking me out a little bit. I've only written 3 articles in my time, done a couple of email interviews - but these have all been on topics & interviewees handed to me on a plate.
Where do I start - how can I learn journalism basics? Pitching story ideas? We have themes for the next 2 issues set, but how can I measure if my ideas are any good? (This in particular scares me.) Location: I'm in New Zealand. So online resource suggestions or books are appreciated How about MediaBistro - are videos relevant & worth it?
The editor of the mag is a very casual sort of lady and has assumed so far I know what I'm doing (only found that out yesterday) - I was recommended for the job by several people and thought the ed knew my background. I feel like an idiot, but I've come this far without a degree so hopefully can get through this? A It's a good opportunity and I need the work.
I'm a freelance copywriter/pro-blogger/brand strategist who has recently been offered a job as a section editor at a contemporary culture magazine... Bit of fashion, books, music, games and design. I'd be 'design'. Which is fine, I am well versed in design, worked in graphic agencies for years and know how to write.
However I know nothing about journalism! Or how print media works on the inside. This is freaking me out a little bit. I've only written 3 articles in my time, done a couple of email interviews - but these have all been on topics & interviewees handed to me on a plate.
Where do I start - how can I learn journalism basics? Pitching story ideas? We have themes for the next 2 issues set, but how can I measure if my ideas are any good? (This in particular scares me.) Location: I'm in New Zealand. So online resource suggestions or books are appreciated How about MediaBistro - are videos relevant & worth it?
The editor of the mag is a very casual sort of lady and has assumed so far I know what I'm doing (only found that out yesterday) - I was recommended for the job by several people and thought the ed knew my background. I feel like an idiot, but I've come this far without a degree so hopefully can get through this? A It's a good opportunity and I need the work.
When I went to a journalist workshop, I heard the editors compared to house cats - most of the time, they're only interested in you (journalists) if you have something they want and the rest of the time they don't really care about you. So I think if you make it seem like you actually care, people may respond positively to that.
posted by kat518 at 6:51 AM on July 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by kat518 at 6:51 AM on July 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Besides finding an ally or two in the office (both folks with a similar job description and the people you'll be handing files off to—make friends with your copy editor!!) who can help get you up to speed with minute-to-minute procedures and practices ASAP, I'd say start by deconstructing pieces in the recent issues that are most like what you'll be expected to produce, looking for templates/formulas for article structure, topics, takes and tone of voice that you can flow your ideas and background into.
Unless you've explicitly been hired or asked to bring your existing style/personality to the mag, or to help them create something new, the best way to keep your editor happy will be to give her what she's used to, both with your copy and with your story ideas.
Obviously, you'll want to retain your own voice in your writing, and use your own passion for the topic to guide your story searches. But it's more likely that there's a house "way" that you need to get than that they'll want everything you do to have your stamp all over it. So the sooner you can channel yourself in the manner that your boss thinks is already working (and that she's already getting her boss to love), the better. She's really your only audience, so find out fast what she likes by looking closely at what she's already approved.
posted by dpcoffin at 10:27 AM on July 19, 2010
Unless you've explicitly been hired or asked to bring your existing style/personality to the mag, or to help them create something new, the best way to keep your editor happy will be to give her what she's used to, both with your copy and with your story ideas.
Obviously, you'll want to retain your own voice in your writing, and use your own passion for the topic to guide your story searches. But it's more likely that there's a house "way" that you need to get than that they'll want everything you do to have your stamp all over it. So the sooner you can channel yourself in the manner that your boss thinks is already working (and that she's already getting her boss to love), the better. She's really your only audience, so find out fast what she likes by looking closely at what she's already approved.
posted by dpcoffin at 10:27 AM on July 19, 2010
No degree necessary--and this is coming from someone who has one.
* Learn about your audience. Get to know their needs, both those that they state overtly and those that are more psychological. Learn about their reactions to what you're doing. Use this information as a beacon for every decision.
* Trust in your own knowledge of design.
* Follow Jacqueline's suggestion above, but remember that they call it "style" and not "iron-clad rules one must follow upon pain of death." As long as you're *consistent* in applying a style choice, it's fine. No one needs to die over hyphen placement or whether to abbreviate something.
* You have an advantage as a (former) freelancer, because you'll already know that there can never be too much communication before and during the reporting/writing process about what the story should cover and how it should be presented. You should be able to cultivate productive freelancer relationships more easily.
* Don't get wrapped up in what the folks on the business side of the publication have to say. Don't ignore them completely or treat them like enemy combatants. But when in doubt, refer to my first bullet point.
* When it comes to editing, get to the freaking point already. Be merciless with the superfluous in your own writing and that of your contributors. Make sure every sentence moves the plot forward rather than repeating what's already been said.
* Use bullet points a lot. (Or maybe that's just me.)
posted by dust of the stars at 10:28 AM on July 19, 2010
* Learn about your audience. Get to know their needs, both those that they state overtly and those that are more psychological. Learn about their reactions to what you're doing. Use this information as a beacon for every decision.
* Trust in your own knowledge of design.
* Follow Jacqueline's suggestion above, but remember that they call it "style" and not "iron-clad rules one must follow upon pain of death." As long as you're *consistent* in applying a style choice, it's fine. No one needs to die over hyphen placement or whether to abbreviate something.
* You have an advantage as a (former) freelancer, because you'll already know that there can never be too much communication before and during the reporting/writing process about what the story should cover and how it should be presented. You should be able to cultivate productive freelancer relationships more easily.
* Don't get wrapped up in what the folks on the business side of the publication have to say. Don't ignore them completely or treat them like enemy combatants. But when in doubt, refer to my first bullet point.
* When it comes to editing, get to the freaking point already. Be merciless with the superfluous in your own writing and that of your contributors. Make sure every sentence moves the plot forward rather than repeating what's already been said.
* Use bullet points a lot. (Or maybe that's just me.)
posted by dust of the stars at 10:28 AM on July 19, 2010
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posted by Jacqueline at 7:40 PM on July 18, 2010