Working in the Media & Journalism

www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

ten tips for starting

a media career

Chris CookeMD, UnLimited Media Group

Editor, CreativeStudent.net & ThreeWeeks


tip 1

Know what you want to do…RADIO: Presenter, producer, researcher, broadcast journalist, production engineer, head of music, station management, sales & marketing.

TV: Presenter, producer, researcher, broadcast journalist, programme production, network management, programme licencing, sales & marketing.

THE PRESS: Editor, section editor, sub-editor, reporter, reviewer, feature writer, columnist, sales, distribution, marketing, promotions.

OTHER: PR, advertising, marketing, music or film industry, events management, the arts.

BIG DECISION: editorial v commercial - in spotlight v behind the scenes


tip 2

Know the industry…

What kinds of companies are there?

What companies offer my kind of job?

Who owns and runs those companies?

How do those companies recruit?

What are the big issues at the moment?

READ: Media Guardian, Radio Today, Broadcast, Digital Spy, Press Gazette, CreativeStudent.net, CMU Daily.


tip 2


regional v national v local

consumer v business v corporate

news v lifestyle/entertainment v specialist

information provider v entertainment provider

independent media v major media

in radio: music v speech

in TV: network v programme producer


tip 2


Research media companies…National Press: News International, Associated, Guardian Media Group, Independent News Media, Trinity Mirror, Northern Shell.

Regional Press: Johnston Press, Archant, Trinity Mirror, Newsquest.

Magazines: IPC, Bauer Media, Future, National Magazine Company.

Radio: BBC, Global Radio, Bauer Media, GMG Radio, UTV Radio, Absolute.

TV Networks: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BSkyB, Virgin TV, Viacom.

TV Producers: BBC, ITV, Endemol, Fremantle, Mentorn.

Others: Agents, production facilities, licensing, media sales, marketing.

…and consume their media!


tip 3

Be realistic

What jobs are really available?

Is my dream job realistic?

How do I get to my dream job?

Where is the money?


tip 4

Do stuff

College media and societies.

ThreeWeeks in Brighton and Edinburgh.

Research other training programmes.

Set up your own media - blog, podcast, e-zine.


tip 5

Think about courses

Are courses required? Ask.

Is NCTJ accreditation important? Ask.

Research courses - practical v academic, short v long.

Who will you meet?

Does anyone recruit from there?

On the job training?


tip 6

Work experience

Get lots.

Be ready to muck in.

Be clear what you want to get out of it.

Make sure you network.


tip 7

Learn to sell yourself For writing/editing jobs, put a great portfolio online.

For on air/production jobs, get the best possible demo/showreel.

For behind the scenes jobs, write the best CV.

What are your USPs? Cheap, willing, digital savvy?

Communicate them.

First contact.

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.


tip 8

Look for your ‘in’…

Job ads - Media Guardian, Press Gazette, Radio Today.

Unsolicited approaches for jobs - Ask for advice?

Freelance work - Which media? What article?

Keep your ear to the ground.

Let your contacts know what you’re after.

Your ‘in’ is rarely what you really want.


tip 9

Don’t give up

Be persistent, but not irritating!

If at first, etc etc etc.


tip 10

Be good…

…at what you do.

Use any experience to get better.

Be nice, be enthusiastic, be creative, be good.


stay in touch…

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Working in the Media & Journalism