Writers Unbound

Many of you may have realized that traditional media formats are reducing their reporters. This can be very scary for veterans, and rather frightening for in students studying journalism. Writers continually face these dilemas.

Don’t run and hide! Organize.

1) New papers, yes print papers are being started in small towns and cities everywhere. Plan to create your own. Start small and build fast. If you are online a lot, you have often heard the word: niche. Choose platforms that you are crazy about: start a newspaper, or small magazine on that topic. The new heros won’t only be the brave journalists covering the world, they will be writers who create markets for their passions. Funny dog stories? Why not?

2) Blog, submit articles and sign up for online magazines. Get all the information that you can find about these topics.

3) Who will advertise? Your competition will be all the free papers that run by having advertisers. Who are your target readers? What local businesses serve those people. Visit: www.highdesertdog.com for ideas. Not from NM? Good here’s an idea to copy.

4) Check out the competition. Your love is music. See if there is an idea that isn’t covered locally where you could become the expert, and have the best stories. Many small papers also publish online and invite readers to blog, and have lots of space to invite advertisers. Visit: www.alibi.com.

5) Start now, as soon as possible. The first few years may be tough. They fly by fast. Suddenly, in three years you are making decent money. You come up with another idea…repeat the above. In 5 years you may have 3-5 publications.

If you were a freshman in college, you are one year out of school and considering selling off 2 publications so that you can start your newest dream…these things happen with you or without you. I’ve been in town for 15 years. Some of those small papers have won journalism awards, have been sold and bought four times, and are boasting a 20 year or more anniversary.

The market can continue to expand. Be bold. Be part of it. Online and off line.

Sort of related. Connect dots. Create stories.