Dancing About Architecture - Journalism 101 - New-New Journalism

Some more points I've learned from the Dancing About Architecture course. This time Seminar 2 last Tuesday night. It was entitled "New-new journalism" & featured some leading Irish Journalists.
Speaking were Niall Byrne of the well known "Nialler9" Music Blog www.nialler9.com. He is also editor of State Magazine www.state.ie. Also there was Susan Daly, editor of Journal.ie www.thejournal.ie & Markham Nolan of Storyful www.storyful.com.

• Try everything, TV, radio etc. Not just writing.
• Make sure all information you include in an article is correct & up to date.
• Try & have a USP, IE: Have a specialized topic like a genre of music, sport etc.
• Have a specific niche - become a go-to person for a particular subject.
• If you are reporting on news make sure you know the background of the story.
• Know how to translate a niche market into a story.
• Write everyday if possible.
• Make yourself reliable.
• Be pro-active - pitch stories that are relevant.
• Do not be afraid to be afraid. Do things that are new. This is the best way of learning & to grow your confidance.
• Never get backed into a corner. Don't do something you cannot stand behind.
• Again make sure the spelling & grammer is correct.
• Use short sentences if need be.
• Read over what you write at least twice before sending it.
• Be an old journalist before you become a new journalist.
• Have the ability to manipulate a story into your own words.