Dow Jones’ Post

I WAS A TEENAGE COPY BOY (…ACTUALLY EARLY 20s) [#6 in 90 original posts in 90 days challenge about writing, communications and journalism] My first job in the world of words was Copy Boy, a Newspaper Guild job title in 1981 when I worked at the Associated Press headquarters in New York. And yes, I really did tear copy off machines and deliver it to crusty editors, one of whom, I swear, wore green eye shades. The giant AP newsroom at 50 Rock was a busy, noisy place, even with the advent of what they called high-speed printers, which were much quieter than the clacking Teletype machines being phased out. Among a hundred printers, there were still a couple old Teletype machines banging away. I got dinged by editors for my slowness between copy machines and their desks, because, as a news junkie, I could not pass up an unlimited supply. These were the days when news organizations had all the news; there was no other way to get it. And AP had it first. So as a Copy Boy, ripping the latest news off printers and quickly reading it, I REALLY had the news first. Machines printed out the latest stories from every state and national, business, entertainment, sports, foreign affairs… The copy was the original stories and then the 1st Lead-Writethru, 2nd Lead-Writethru, etc. as the news unfolded, so I kept up with progressing stories between printers and news editors’ desks. I still read news that way: Following stories as they evolve over time. Some machines printed out news from international wire services, including Tass, the USSR news agency, which was the most droning, monotonous writing you ever read. Then there was a machine with the exact minute when AP ran top stories compared to Reuters, UPI, McClatchy, Knight Ridder, and others. Competition was so fierce that editors got in trouble if they didn’t move stories fast enough. My favorite thing was wire photos. Printers spit out the latest photos from around the world. I took them to news desks, where editors logged them and threw them away. I fished out my favorites from the wastebasket and pinned them on the wall of my West Village basement apartment. Grainy black-and-white photos of Iran hostages, IRA hunger strike, Ronald Reagan assassination attempt, this new thing called MTV, USSR war in Afghanistan, Borg vs. McEnroe, Charles marries Lady Di… And I got to see it all first.

After starting an indie magazine – buy it at roughcastmag.com – I was asked, 'What's the best time to send an editor a pitch?" - Some people think that the “hungry judge effect” could play a part. The hungry judge effect is the claim that judges become more lenient after a meal break. A 2011 study, titled Extraneous factors in judicial decisions, looked at the decisions of 11 judges found that they were statistically more likely to let people go free after they'd eaten at lunch. Read it here, if you're interested: https://lnkd.in/g_A-Stqz Some people therefore think the best time to send a freelance journalism pitch is shortly after lunch when the editor might be more agreeable. I'm not sure, I think if you've got an idea that fits for a publication, it doesn't matter when you send it. Having said that, I would avoid Friday (editors are sorting out the stuff that's going out over the weekend) and Monday (they're putting out fires that popped up over the last weekend).  At roughcast magazine, it wouldn't matter when you send it because we announce a theme and a deadline on social media then leave it three weeks before deciding what to commission in an editorial meeting. Follow us on TikTok or Instagram (@roughcastmagazine), to find out what our next theme will be. ✌️ #journalism #pitching #freelancejournalist #writing #indiepublishing

Newspapers that inspire. Especially great for copywriters + a wealth of copy to draw from I simply like 1843, a magazine published by The Economist. I was subscribed to it during the pandemic, but never got their sister mag parallel with it. What's great about 1843? The visuals. The photography. That long-form journalism it promotes. Quality English. Deep thinking. Topics: design, literature, less politics really. https://lnkd.in/duCxN44K

What would you say is the most common query that we get from Writers & Editors? Answer: commission fee rates. On both sides of the fence, people regularly express discomfort, anxiety and fear when thinking about fees, rates, and money in general. Fear not, you're in luck! Our team at Writers' Bloc EU deals with these issues on a daily basis. There are a number of important elements that combine to affect how you can price your work. Here's how we approach it... 1. Market Benchmarks & Regional Variations Know what others are charging for their work. Start here. Understand that regional differences are important and impact prices. Do your homework. Try Journo Resources and National Union of Journalists for rates in the UK. Check out Editorial Freelancers Association for rates in the USA. 2. Work Experience It should go without saying, but here's to saying it: the more experience you have, the more you can charge for your work. Who knew?! Prominently display the bylines you have written & the publications who have commissioned you. Bonus points for commissions with highly reputable publishers. More bonus points for academic / professional accolades. Pro Tip: Editors need to view this information quickly; make it easy for them. 3. Niche expertise Editors hate anything generic. Anyone can write generic. Don't send generic pitches. Focus on the niche, the unique and the obscure. What information do you have that others simply do not? What insights can you share that others do not see? How difficult & time-consuming is it for people to acquire this wisdom? This is all highly valuable, and can be a strong justification for commanding higher fees. 4. Community connections There is nothing more juicy than getting the inside scoop. Information is power: those connected get the information first. Cherish & nurture your relationships - use these connections to get access that others simply cannot. This is a valuable skill. Use it to your advantage. 5. Research & Prep Required How much effort is required to obtain the most valuable information? The level of research & preparation, and the degree of difficulty to complete it all will help validate any rates. As above, if you have access to restricted information, hard-to-reach sources, closed-off communities, etc., that will serve as justification for setting a higher fee. 6. Customer Limitations Negotiation is an art-form. It takes practice. Don't take rejection so personally (check out our post on rejection therapy: https://zurl.co/XJk1) There are so many reasons why a pitch might not be commissioned, including constraints around budget, brand image, advertiser & audience demands, changing news lists, even someone simply having a bad day. More on tactics next week! We'd love to hear from you...have we missed anything? Tell us. Have you got any tips for freelancers? Share them. Image credit: DALL-E Open Ai #Rates #Commissions #Fees #Freelance

✴ Magazine publishers and magazine editors ✴ It's not cheap producing a magazine. It's not easy getting advertisers. So, are you missing out on ways to engage your readership beyond the printed page for you and your advertisers? Is your magazine design doing the job it needs to do with your readership? ✅ Are you really maximising the opportunity to lead your readers, either to your website, or to engage in further action from the printed page – without ruining the editorial look and flow of your publication? ✅ What about video? Are you maximising this amazing oportunity? ✅ How is your digital edition looking – and does this question make you feel like you want to pretend you didn't just read this bullet-point? ✅ Are you thinking beyond simple on-page advertisements for your advertisers? If not, then you're missing out on opportunities to build a stronger relationship with your precious, and hard-earned advertisers. If you are happy with your publication, then fantastic! However, if you feel your title could use some help to get a more cohesive, hardworking visual identity, then let's connect and talk about how to make things work better. Hello, I'm Tania, owner of tlc design studio. So, why choose me? ✅ I have three decades of experience and have worked with major and smaller publishers. From huge teams to one person set-ups – I get it! ✅ I will actually read your editorial copy ...yep, that's a thing ✅ I am passionate about creating a great reader experience ✅ I've worked on special projects, launches and redesigns ✅ I am a problem solver. I love to design editorial with flow, and find ways to bridge the gap between the printed page and digital engagement. ✅ Dailies to weeklies, monthlies, quarterlies, one-shots and special projects – I've worked on all of them! ✅ International? No problem! I've also worked remotely with two dual language magazines in China and the UAE, all with ease. 💡 LET'S FIND SOLUTIONS! If any of this resonates, then you can book me for a consultation to either critique an existing publication, or discuss anything related to editorial design and how it interacts with your intended audience. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/ePkvb53W See my industry CV at: https://lnkd.in/gRa5Qapy #loveprint #magazinedesign #magazinepublishing #publishers #passiton #magazineeditors #editorialdesign #editorialdesigner #printmagazine #magazinelaunch #magazinenewlook #openforwork #freelancedesigner

Some great advice in here about how much you should be charging for your work — and thank you for linking to our freelance rates database, which has tonnes of data points on how much you can expect to be paid! We'd also add one thing that's really helped us — when you're negotiating rates, remember that it isn't the editor's personal fund of money. We've found this helps to take the emotions out of money — it's a business transaction about budgets and fees. It's not you asking them for a wad of cash. #Journalism #FreelanceJournalist #PayRates #HowMuchToCharge

📰 Today was the monthly ritual I call our 'journalist walk.' That's when a fellow newspaper writer and I hike several miles along the waterfront and into the towers, hustle-bustle and street construction of downtown Toronto. 📰 We pass the old site of national newspaper The Globe and Mail (which I wrote for in the 1980s) and the skyscraper that houses daily paper The Toronto Star, which also is a part of my freelance CV. We're aiming for the 19th-century landmark of the St. Lawrence Market, where there's a newspaper stand stacked high with copies of 'the bridge' monthly community newspaper (https://thebridgenews.ca/) for downtown-east Toronto. 📰 It's a paper we both write for today, and we peruse each other's well-researched stories over good coffee and a creative picnic, enhanced by market offerings. There are other community newspapers we write for - and for freelance journos like us, they bring as much satisfaction, in their way (and even with small payment) as the major newspapers we wrote for decades ago. 📰 The smaller indie publications are just as 'huge' in their way - in this internet age they're accessible worldwide, with an instant potential global audience. The actual news contained in these local publications may not be of global significance - but in a way it is. 📰 It's the voice and pulse of the people, the passion of a cause, the politics of a situation, the platform that can help effect change. And that's always possible, whether the story is within a 2-mile catchment area - or a continent or 2 away. Do you have a favourite newspaper, local or global?? Pic Credit: https://lnkd.in/egVtD3s #newspapers #communitynewspapers #newspaperindustry #freelancejournalist

Once when I filed copy about an inspiring bride for a best-selling women’s magazine, a sub editor pointed out: You haven’t said what colour shoes she was wearing.” On a regional evening paper where I started out, writing about an armed robbery at a fuel station, a sub’s enquiry came: ‘Was the victim buying petrol or diesel?’ It would be easy to get the hump when these queries come through, but for a freelance journalist, this level of detail is needed. Sending a story that ‘doesn’t beg any questions’ is a clear goal. This week I’ve submitted my work to Metro, Best magazine and The Guardian and there have been one or two little questions. I used to take these as signs of failure and beat myself up for not including them in the first place. But not anymore. I just get my head down and answer as swiftly as I can. Unless they’re asking basic things of course, like how old someone is or is their name spelt correctly - I’d be well p*ssed off with myself if that happened. Often details requested have been taken out to fit with a wordcount required. I would say though, national media at this level can be very demanding - so you have to be prepared and confident to deal with it. I’m inspired by the talented and resilient journos who do this day in, day out. I’m helped by past experience of facing sometimes quite ferocious editors as a senior regional staffer and current work as an editor too. But I sometimes wonder if wannabe freelancers would be better served with an intro to just how meticulous copy has to be rather than seemingly ubiquitous advice about how to pitch. When it’s me in charge, I’m as nurturing and constructive as I can be — more than 20 years after a reporter didn’t like my feedback and told me to f*** off in a Midlands newsroom. I hope this insight is useful. My number one tip for anyone wanting to write for the national press: Don’t just get your facts right, also make sure they’re all in there… #journalist #journalism #writerslife #writersoflinkedin #writingtips

Editorials are vital to newspapers and digital publications, offering insights and opinions beyond mere reporting. They are written pieces that express the collective viewpoint of a publication's editorial board, covering a broad range of topics for editorials. Unlike news articles, which strive for objectivity, editorials are inherently subjective, reflecting the board's values, judgments, aspirations, or the publication. Purpose of Editorials in Media The primary purpose of an editorial is to influence public opinion and initiate dialogue on significant issues. These pieces serve as a voice for the publication, offering perspectives and arguments on various topics, from politics and social issues to economics and culture. Depending on the subject, editorials aim to persuade, critique, praise, or condemn. They are not just opinion pieces; they are informed opinions that emerge from a deep understanding of the issues discussed. Topics for Editorials: A Diverse Spectrum Editorials can cover an expansive array of topics. Some common themes include political stances, social injustices, economic policies, environmental concerns, and cultural events. The choice of topic often reflects the publication's core values and the interests of its readership. For instance, a newspaper in a metropolitan area may focus more on urban policy and governance. In contrast, a publication in a rural area might prioritize agricultural and local community issues as topics for editorials. Reflecting the Opinions of the Editorial Board What sets editorials apart is that they are not the opinion of a single writer but represent the collective viewpoint of the editorial board. This board typically consists of senior editors and opinion writers discussing and deliberating on various issues before reaching a consensus. This collective voice lends weight and credibility to the editorial, making it a powerful tool for shaping public discourse. Editorial Tone and Approach The tone of an editorial can vary greatly, ranging from assertive and forceful to contemplative and advisory, depending on the topics for editorials at hand and the intended impact. For instance, an editorial on a humanitarian crisis may adopt a tone of urgency and advocacy, while a piece on a local art festival might be more celebratory and descriptive. Regardless of the tone, editorials are characterized by solid arguments, clear rationale, and a persuasive style. https://lnkd.in/ep3TiUmh #EditorialInsights #PublicOpinion #MediaPerspective #Entrepreneurs #JournalisticVoice #DigitalEditorials #JournalisticDialogue #Freelancers

Authors, you may have already seen this. 👀 The EFA just shared their new rates chart with updated data from a 2023 survey of editorial professionals. Every editor I know is sharing this info, so I thought I would. It's just too important not to share because it's a great conversation starter. If you're a writer looking for an editorial professional, you can use this tool to estimate the cost (low end, median, and high end) of specific editorial services. This is a great way to get an idea of the possible price range of your project based on real numbers given by real professionals. On the flip side, editorial professionals can use this tool to better understand the market rates for the editorial services they offer. For me, I'm looking at these numbers and feeling really good about my decision to raise my rates this year. This data was the confirmation I needed! 😁 #proofreader #amediting #bookeditor #fictioneditor #writingcommunity https://lnkd.in/du6jzVnz