Out into the open sea
Never have survival rules been as valuable as they are today. Here is an eight-point program that shows you how to become a journalist, stay true to yourself and land an editorial position.
Column Never have survival rules been as valuable as they are today. So here's an eight-point program that shows you how to become a journalist, stay true to yourself and get an editorial job.What do I hear, Mbwana, you want to get into journalism? Welcome to the club! Basically, this column could end here. Journalism is like sex in that respect: you can't learn it, you just start doing it one day. This way is cheaper and more exciting than journalism schools. They do teach interesting facts about the theory of various genitalia. And push-ups are practiced diligently. But that's not sex. And neither is journalism - it's only journalism when it's printed. The proof of the pudding lies in its eating. And you won't be printed until other journalists print your text. So the best advice for aspiring colleagues revolves around two things: How to make a name for yourself and - at least as important - how to deal with other journalists.
1. idiocy is writing the same stuff as everyone else. In other words: you need your own style. You'll get it if you persistently write only about things that really interest you. (It's that simple? It's that simple!)
2. the most dangerous thing for your style is that it is honed or adjusted too early, either in schools or in the newspapers themselves. Because with the first pretty style flowers, the whole bed is usually dug up straight away. And lawns are planted. The paradox is
To survive as a journalist, you almost have to be a full-fledged expert on the market. But how?
3. do like the crocodile, go to small ponds for your first swimming exercises. Write as much as possible in small newspapers that pay next to nothing. Apart from freedom, your fee consists of the toughest test in the world: as soon as they have printed your text, you can already see how it works. And whether it works. No test is crueler than reality.
4 Never, never be arrogant. For example, because there is no money. Work for unpaid assignments as if your life depended on it. Nobody will notice you because of small and medium-sized texts in good newspapers - a single brilliant article in a no-budget paper, on the other hand, can already bring you a breakthrough. And so can a single competent reader from the industry. And whoops, you've been discovered: as a master, not an apprentice.
5. if you are young, you can also sell any topic to renowned broadsheets. And you can do this with the following simple trick. You say: "All my colleagues are interested in..." Or, if the editor doesn't understand: "All young people are interested in...". This doesn't have to be true (the only one who has to be interested is you!), but the editor will see his dyed hair in the mirror, be ashamed and put your topic in the paper. They all want youth.
6 If you want to get to know someone in the industry, ask them for advice. Nobody can resist asking for advice. Nobody can. People will remember your name. Promote you. Love you.
7. write encouraging fan e-mails if a colleague has achieved something. Everyone immediately thinks someone who praises you is competent. (Caution: Don't lie - because suck-ups live on slippery ground. And inflationary praise has as much value as inflationary money).
8. when you apply to an editorial office, never say: "I want to write first and foremost."
Say: "What fascinates me most is editing, making newspapers, contact with good, young authors..." Colleagues will be thrilled to take on a talented, willing slave. You will be able to write from day one." So far, Mbwana, the detailed version of "Welcome to the club!". If you make it to an editor's chair soon, the next stage begins: the game for power. But more about that next time
The columnist recommends small pools for initial writing exercises.
Constantin Seibt is the politics and economics editor of the weekly newspaper WoZ - and was already a journalist in the last century.
1. idiocy is writing the same stuff as everyone else. In other words: you need your own style. You'll get it if you persistently write only about things that really interest you. (It's that simple? It's that simple!)
2. the most dangerous thing for your style is that it is honed or adjusted too early, either in schools or in the newspapers themselves. Because with the first pretty style flowers, the whole bed is usually dug up straight away. And lawns are planted. The paradox is
To survive as a journalist, you almost have to be a full-fledged expert on the market. But how?
3. do like the crocodile, go to small ponds for your first swimming exercises. Write as much as possible in small newspapers that pay next to nothing. Apart from freedom, your fee consists of the toughest test in the world: as soon as they have printed your text, you can already see how it works. And whether it works. No test is crueler than reality.
4 Never, never be arrogant. For example, because there is no money. Work for unpaid assignments as if your life depended on it. Nobody will notice you because of small and medium-sized texts in good newspapers - a single brilliant article in a no-budget paper, on the other hand, can already bring you a breakthrough. And so can a single competent reader from the industry. And whoops, you've been discovered: as a master, not an apprentice.
5. if you are young, you can also sell any topic to renowned broadsheets. And you can do this with the following simple trick. You say: "All my colleagues are interested in..." Or, if the editor doesn't understand: "All young people are interested in...". This doesn't have to be true (the only one who has to be interested is you!), but the editor will see his dyed hair in the mirror, be ashamed and put your topic in the paper. They all want youth.
6 If you want to get to know someone in the industry, ask them for advice. Nobody can resist asking for advice. Nobody can. People will remember your name. Promote you. Love you.
7. write encouraging fan e-mails if a colleague has achieved something. Everyone immediately thinks someone who praises you is competent. (Caution: Don't lie - because suck-ups live on slippery ground. And inflationary praise has as much value as inflationary money).
8. when you apply to an editorial office, never say: "I want to write first and foremost."
Say: "What fascinates me most is editing, making newspapers, contact with good, young authors..." Colleagues will be thrilled to take on a talented, willing slave. You will be able to write from day one." So far, Mbwana, the detailed version of "Welcome to the club!". If you make it to an editor's chair soon, the next stage begins: the game for power. But more about that next time
The columnist recommends small pools for initial writing exercises.
Constantin Seibt is the politics and economics editor of the weekly newspaper WoZ - and was already a journalist in the last century.
