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Topic: Advice for aspiring tech journalist?
| Author | Message |
| ben | Posted – 7/17/2007 2:48:02 PM | show profile I could use some advice on how to get started in a writing career. My primary interest is technology journalism and, more specifically, digital media and photography related technology. I would love to work for an online media company such as CNET doing reviews, covering industry events and writing tips and how-tos. I obviously don't plan on starting there, just trying to give everyone an idea of the kinds of things I want to write about. The problem is that I have no idea where to start. I have a degree in journalism, but due to various circumstances never wrote for the university paper (huge regret) and ended up working in IT. I?ve considered going to grad school, but that would require a move in addition to the significant expense. I figure the money would be better spent on something like the classes here to brush up on my writing skills. I?ve also considered contacting my local paper about writing occasional technology articles, but from what I?ve heard they don?t accept a lot of freelance work. And chances are tech topics would be of little interest to them judging by what I see covered in the paper. Even though I live in a Texas city with 100,000 people, there is a huge age gap between the college students and the 40+ year olds that live here. Because of that the paper consists mostly of AP feeds and coverage of local events appealing to the older population. I do still plan on approaching them to see if there are any opportunities. Would writing for my own site help any? I love going to technology events, taking photos and doing write-ups. I guess this is better than nothing, but I don?t know if it is something I can use when looking for paid positions. Right now it is just a personal project to help refresh my writing habits. I'm feeling way out of my league here. So if any gracious souls out there have advice, good or bad, on how to move forward it would be greatly appreciated. |
| MsWebWriter | Posted – 7/18/2007 11:58:40 AM | show profile Many options ... Ben, I'm writing for an online publication with "pseudo-tech" tendencies. I got the entry-level reporting job through: -past Internet/tech experience at work (which you have) -good clips (which you seem to have, since you have your own site) -clearly visible passion for what I'd be reporting on (which ... it seems like you have, although I'm not sure) If you love technology (and writing about it) that should show from your write-ups and creating your own site/page/blog would be a great way to start. You have to get your writing out there. There are so many great tech blogs/online pubs that you should be reading: like techmeme, valleywag, techcrunch, etc. -- to get a feel for what's news and how people are writing about it. You can also do some freelancing (and really "free" lancing) which I did for six months before I got this full-time gig (as a way to build up published clips). Start-up websites and even niche print mags are always looking for writers who are willing to go pro-bono in exchange for the learning experience and some clips. It can't hurt to check online job boards for entry-level tech writers ... but the bottom line is you've got to have proof that you can consistently produce quality tech pieces. |
| WritingEd | Posted – 7/18/2007 3:40:30 PM | show profile As an editor at a trade magazine that covers tech, I don't think it's a bad idea to use your own website to supplement your clips (you should still look for venues to sell your writing though). I'd suggest being sure that what you write on your site shows you can write journalistically...that is, don't just describe what you see at tech events, but interview people and include quotes so that prospective employers can see you know/are working on that aspect of the craft. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 7/18/2007 6:08:43 PM | show profile I think writinged hit the nail on the head. Many of the opportunities for tech journalists are reporting jobs, where you go out and find stories and interview people, as opposed to product reviews and your views on trade shows. For many journalism jobs, reporting skills are the number one thing people look for, ahead of writing ability and subject knowledge. |
| ce- | Posted – 7/18/2007 7:58:08 PM | show profile Any thoughts on how technical writing and editing dovetails with tech reporting? Tech communications might be a good way to move into writing and editing. If you develop expertise in a niche, you might be in a good position to also write reviews and such. |
