Three things a new online journalist should know

Conference News re:wired brought news professionals together to look at success stories in niche markets. We heard from some great voices in the online journalism field – people who really understand how to cater for their market.

I’ve picked out three points to look at in detail, they’re of particular relevance to new journalists:

1. targeting your content to a niche market
2. using technology to help you
3. why being ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough.

1. Target your content to a niche market

“Trust is central to it working” – Simon Perry, Ventnor Blog

Simon Perry from Ventnor blog set up a site to cover news of the Isle of Wight. It’s been going over five years, has won several Talk About Local awards and is fiercely supported by the community.

Simon’s experience shows that if you take the time to cater your content to the audience, they’ll stick with you. Ask them what they want. Accept criticism and try to make your site the most trusted place to be.

Learning point: Ask for feedback. Listen to what people say about your site and make changes if you need to.

2. Use technology to help you

“Journalists should always be mobile” – Ilicco Elia, Reuters

Ilicco Elia is the Head of Mobile at Reuters Media. He admits to owning a lot of mobile phones and being a technology nut. He shared a great story about an embedded war journalist using a mobile phone to record video, audio, take pictures and send them back to the UK after his ‘proper’ equipment was damaged.

Ilicco’s story shows how journalists use technology to help tell the story. You’re not out in the field telling the story because you have a smartphone – you’d be out there anyway. Technology helps you tell the story in pictures, sound and text.

Learning point: You’re a journalist, go out and get stories. Use simple technology to help you, not to take over the story. Sometimes just a pen and paper will do!

3. Be better than just ‘good enough’

“Use the tools to bring people together” – Hannah Waldram, Guardian

Hannah Waldram – works as a Cardiff Beatblogger for the Guardian and also set up a hyperlocal site for Bournville, Birmingham.

Hannah is a great example of an enterprising young journalist. After graduating she decided to set up her own website to cover news where she lived. She simply set up her site and off she went – on her bike as it happens. Her ability to get to grips with tools such as a smartphone, free image manipulation and web publishing software as well as a knack for using open data websites means she is able to report efficiently without an office.

How does Hannah work? Take a peek inside her roving reporter’s toolkit.

Learning point: You should be confident in several ways to tell a story – writing, pictures, video and audio. Aim to be fantastic in at least one of these areas to stand out.

“Oh. And it’s fun!” – Simon Perry, Ventnor Blog

What is obvious is that the people working in online journalism love it. They don’t use video because they have to – they use it because it helps to tell the story.

If you’re a student journalist or have recently graduated think about setting up a site to do with one of your interests. Whether you cover knitting, sport or hyperlocal news – you can use your phone to help you and you’ll be working with the same equipment as the professionals.

Be passionate about your subject and tell the story the best way you can. Passion breeds success and there’s never been a better time to get stuck in.