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Topic: Moving up from a small daily
| Author | Message |
| rev1976 | Posted – 1/1/2008 7:19:11 PM | show profile I've been working as a reporter at a 10,000-circulation daily for almost two years, I've had a half dozen stories picked up by the AP and two that made international news. I got a couple awards and I've improved my reporting to the point where I'm ready to move on. What should be my target zone? I don't want to waste time by applying and courting papers where I've got no realistic change of getting hired, but I don't want to aim too low, either. And while I know a lot depends on my clips, and that people are likely to say there's no guidelines or rules to moving up that will apply to everyone, I'm posting this because I'm interested in the opinions of those more experienced than me. What's a realistic goal? |
| HisGirlFriday | Posted – 1/1/2008 9:18:44 PM | show profile Where do you want to go? Do you want to stay in your area? Move to another state? Cover something new? It would seem that you should be more than ready for a jump to a bigger daily. The circ. size and reputation of the paper depends on you .... Unless you're going to try to be the next big colulmnist at the Times/Post/etc I can't imagine it would be a waste of time to shoot for the paper/city you want. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 1/2/2008 11:46:43 AM | show profile You might look for the kind of mid-sized daily where the next move is generally a much bigger paper. There's no hard and fast rules -- it depends on clips and how you work and play with others -- but I'd say target a great paper with circ. between 60k-300k. Many big dailies have struggled with layoffs. The good news for you on that could be the layoffs were financially motivated, so that new staffers coming in may be pulled from new, lower paying and less experienced eschelons. They may also be asked to do more than their predecessors, and be given new combination beats that were separated to different staffers previously. Hone your clips to award winners and those picked up by AP as well as an enterprise piece or two that shows the scope of your ability. No harm in sending your clips anywhere, quite frankly, or trying to make a contact at your dream paper. Whatever you do, be professional in every interaction, and even if you don't get picked up now, you may sow seeds for future successful contact. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 1/2/2008 11:52:28 AM | show profile There are papers where they expect newcomers to be sharp and to have at least some small daily experience, and where they hone their staffers so that when they leave they generally go to a much bigger daily. That's the attitude I might look for. These papers often let you know up front that x many writers have gone on to bigger papers including x, y and z major dailies in the last two years. |
| rev1976 | Posted – 1/8/2008 3:13:55 PM | show profile Writesonwater, thank you. That's good, sensible advice. |
| Cyrus | Posted – 1/8/2008 4:39:51 PM | show profile Just thought I'd point out that unless things have changed, two years of experience at a daily qualifies you for the AP. You might try to make connections at the bureau nearest you. Even if you have to relocate to a smaller market, it might be worth an eventual opportunity. ------ Cyrus Afzali Astoria Communications www.astoriacomm.com |
| candylilacs | Posted – 1/8/2008 8:41:02 PM | show profile I was once in your shoes! I also was at a 10,000-circulation daily. I moved up to a 40,000-circ daily about a half-hour away because I already knew the area. However, I think you should target any place you hear good things about. It's not just about circulation (although that usually does mean more money--not always, but generally.) If you know several people who worked at a 60,000-circ. daily and they really liked it, it may be a better stepping stone than a 150,000-circ. that you know nothing about or have heard negative things about. I'd start a little networking, too, to see where many of your former colleagues or classmates went. Check with them about positions, too. Good luck! c. ------ http://www.mswritesguide.blogspot.com |
| rev1976 | Posted – 1/8/2008 10:00:31 PM | show profile HisGirl, I was thinking a mid-sized, liberal, political town on the East coast with a large immigrant population (esp. Middle Eastern) and plenty of history, intrigue and eccentric characters. Cyrus, as prestigious as it would be to work for the AP, I'm afraid human interest features, and long and involved series on complicated issues are my forte. I don't think I'd get many opps to do that kind of reporting with the AP. Candy, it's reassuring to see someone else who's made that move. I know I can do it, too, but I also know it won't come without growing pains and those times where I'll feel like I'm in over my head. I can't wait. ;) Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. |
| reporterwriter | Posted – 1/9/2008 3:21:54 PM | show profile >>What's a realistic goal?<< A realistic goal is the paper that can help you reach *your* professional goals. Do you want to take workshops? Do you want to get more involved in editing? Do you want to work on companywide committees? Do you want more responsibility than covering a beat? Do you want to be able to do more enterprise? The questions can fill pages! When you've figured out your own goals, explore. Ask around SPJ or your state press association to see which paper might be the best next step for you. Your best realistic goal is about knowing yourself and what you want out of your career. |
