SOS — Due July 14
July 9, 2008
Good morning, Chipsters!
We’ve got some requests for help:
– “I thought it might be helpful if we exchanged tips on how to stay organized in a hectic news environment. Usually I’m really good at this sort of thing and people come to me for advice. But now I’m struggling to keep everything straight in my head and on paper. I think it’s super important to have some sort of system to organize stories, contacts, important dates, etc. I feel like I’ve veered off the organization path and could use a few bread crumbs to find my way back.”
– “I’ve been having some major anxiety/stress/paranoia about making errors. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve made a mistake more than three times. I always double check my stories and I’ve told my editor that I am concerned and I’m not just trying to blow it off, but I’m afraid that it’s starting to make a bad impression with my editor. My editor has told me that people are human and make mistakes, but they should be avoided. I have gathered tips from other reporters and my editors about fact checking. I know that I can only do my best, but I’m really starting to doubt myself.”
– “I’m not sure how to come up with enterprise story ideas. Every time I come up with one, I think of at least three reasons why it isn’t an idea. Can you talk about finding good ideas and the process of seeing them through to story form?”
What advice or suggestions can we offer “Hansel/Gretel,” “Doubting” and “Following Through”?
On getting organized: Keep a to-do list on hand. Each morning, jot out things you know you need to get accomplished, and cross them out as you finish each. At the end of the day, try to plan the next day’s work and write up a list for that. I try to do a weekly list as well, so I can be mindful of what needs to get done a few days in advance. Leave notes on your keyboard at work if you have to to remind yourself of what you need. For keeping track of source numbers/contact info, create a word document or buy an address book and log each contact so it will be easily accessible for future use.
On making errors: I’ve been there as well. As new reporters, we are striving to make as few errors as possible to please our editors, but at the same time, we often learn by making those errors. I would say talk to your editors about past errors you’ve made and how to correct them. I would also recommend talking to a copy editor - the eagle-eyed error catcher of the newsroom - to see what are some common mistakes that are made and how to avoid them. At the Statesman, we have to check each name, title, number in a story and mark it with a “cq”. A lot of times the instinct is to just rush through that process and turn the story in, but after one instance where I gave someone the wrong title, I learned to slow down and make sure I comb over everything I wrote carefully. As for doubting yourself, don’t beat yourself up on making mistakes too much, because then that’s all you will do. Learn from what you did wrong, then keep moving. I’m sure every veteran reporter can tell you something they screwed up on, but they didn’t let those mistakes define their career.
On getting story ideas: For each story idea you come up with, make it a point to at least do some online research about the idea. Google it, do a Lexus Nexis search, check your newspaper’s archives, and see what other papers have done on the topic. See what you can find that makes the story interesting and novel, but not so different that you would be off in space without anything to grab onto. After that preliminary search, talk to some potential sources. Tell them you are interested in the topic and see what information they can provide, but DON’T promise that it’s definitely going to run in the paper. If you still need confirmation that you have a good story, talk to a mentor in the newsroom about it, or else just go straight to your editor with the idea. Tell him/her what you know, what you hope to find out, what potential problems you may have in researching the story, and how long it may take to complete. Hopefully the editor will bite, and you can get a good clip!
Organization: I’m totally with Regina on this. To-do lists have been my best friend. At first, my editor wasn’t throwing too much at me, but now I typically am working on at least three stories per day (not all due at the end of the day, thankfully!). I organize my list by story, then go and write the interviews I still need to do, make an effort to write any grafs I can, and check up on the background research that is typically required. I make a note of whom I’ve left messages for or e-mailed, and flag e-mails in my mailbox for follow-up. I also put the deadline next to each story title, just as a reminder. I’m also all about the Post-it’s on my laptop. I also start off each day by chatting with my editor about the progress I’ve made/will be making, and he’ll normally remind me if I’ve forgotten something, or it will jog my own memory.
–Doubt: Unfortunately, the only thing to do in this case is just double, triple, quadruple check yourself. If it’s in the case of a name, and you’re meeting someone face to face, ask for a business card so you can ensure their proper spelling/title. Prominent people are normally listed on Web sites, or other papers or even your own archives. If it comes to facts that you’ve misinterpreted, I always go over the interviews back with the person, prefacing with, “OK< so let me just be sure I’ve got this right…” If you can’t sum it up quickly, you don’t really get what they’re saying. It also gives them a chance to listen and interrupt if you’ve got something wrong (And they definitely will!). Also, we’ve said this before, but always get a number they can be reached when you’re writing for deadline. Offices normally close at 4 or 5, get a cell number. Even if it’s a stupid mistake, it’s much better to make yourself look like an idiot in front of a source rather than have to run a correction.
– I’m totally with you on the enterprise business. I’m having a hugely difficult time finding the time, or putting in the effort. All I can say is toss around ideas with fellow reporters and check the archives. Those go on my to-do list as well but they’re waaay at the bottom.
Dear “Doubting”,
I know exactly how you feel. I made a mistake a couple of weeks ago when I went to the Obama Rally here in Wisconsin. I think I was just so excited to be going and so pleased with myself for getting my editors to trust me to go along that I became overconfident. Luckily, neither of my mistakes were published (I actually had two misspelled names). The editing desk caught them before they went to print. But, that was the first time (and hopefully the last time) I made a mistake. My editor sat me down and talked to me about it. I was mortified!! But, he was very understanding, and said (like all journalists say) we’re bound to make mistakes. You just have to shake it off. The more you second-guess yourself, the more mistakes you’ll make.
Like Regina said, it’s good to CQ names and titles so that you and your editor know exactly where the information came from. I usually start my interviews by asking a person’s name, the spelling of their name, their title, their hometown and their age. You might not need all that information, but it’s good to cover the basis…and I think it makes people feel more comfortable in an interview if they answer the easy questions first. Archive information and cell phone numbers can be lifesavers too. Make sure the person knows you might need to contact them to clarify any questions you might have. Most of the time they don’t mind giving cell phone numbers.
To “Hansel/Gretel” and “Following Through”, I think most of what I was going to say has been covered. Making lists and using my planner is the main way I get organized. I set personal deadlines that are usually much earlier than actual deadlines. I also use Post-its like crazy. I’m on my second or third pad already! The only thing I can recommend for finding an enterprise pieces is just find something your interested in. My editor always reminds me that if I find something interesting, the readers will probably think it’s interesting too. I’d say at this point, you have to just pick something and start making phone calls. There’s bound to be something new or undiscovered about whatever your topic is. You could try talking to some of your more interesting or friendly sources. Tell them your looking for something to write in-depth about and ask them what they know…what interests them or makes them mad. Sorry, that’s all I can think of. Don’t give up!
So, keeping organized…I find keeping a huge desk calendar that I can write notes on a method that works for me. I can jot down interview times, events and other short reminders to keep myself on track. I also print out at least one major press release or something where I start a list of sources that I need to contact for whatever I’m working on. It may sound sloppy, but it works. I think everyone needs to come up with their own way of doing it, but so long as major times, names and dates are accounted for, you should be okay.
Mistakes: A fine line to tread. Since orientation, I repeat the words ‘double check’ in my head before I route my stories to editors. I check a third time just before I put the official cq on facts like names, titles, organizations, businesses, dates, places, you name it…I prefer more than less cq’s. When I interview, I ask them to spell their names and then I show them how I wrote it to see if it’s right. I feel this is a good way to make sure it’s spelled correctly after all, most people should know how to spell their own names. Right?
All the other stuff I look up online and ask my sources about.
Story ideas: you got me…I seem to be so caught up with the daily stuff that I can’t seem to focus on anything else. Help me too!!!
Thanks to Regina for kicking off this string with some dynamite suggestions.
For those of you who haven’t weighed in yet — there’s still time!
I believe the most important thing as you come up with story ideas is to follow your curiousity. (If you have none, you’re in trouble and should think of another career.) Pay attention to your reactions as you move through your daily life. What makes an eyebrow go up when you see or hear something, what creates an emotion or feeling in your gut? Pay attention to this, for this is where some of the best ideas come from. With that in mind:
a) Read anything and everything you can get your hands on. Your own newspaper, front to back (BEFORE you report for work each day). Examples: Legal ads and national news. Read competing newspapers; throwaways and shoppers; regional magazines; books _ fiction as well as non-fiction _ about your community, town, city, state, region. What strikes you about what you’re reading?
b) Colleagues at the newspaper. Assignment editors, copy editors, beat reporters, photographers, graphics people, librarians, sports writers, the building’s security, custodial and cafeteria staff, etc.
c) Get out of the newsroom, and prospect for ideas. Engage all your senses and strike up conversations, off the work clock, as well as on. At church, the grocery store, the laundromat, the restaurant, while jogging or at the fitness center, the salon, etc.
d) Steal ideas from other newspapers, Internet, television _ anywhere, anyone except from your colleagues at the paper.
e) Sources. At the end of every phone conversation or interview ask: “What else is your agency/organization/company/community working on that might be of interest to people? What should the paper be covering about your agency, organization, etc.?” When you cover meetings, listen for comments that could be developed into stories. Identify topics that interest you, identify the community leaders involved in those topics, call them up or go see them.
f) Internet.
g) Follow-up stories. Follow all your own that need to be followed. And if someone else’s story interests, esp one you find in the archives while researching other topics, see if there’s a follow.
h) Most of your editors will prolly love you if you pitch a solid back-to-school story or an education story pegged to the start of the new academic year.
— Coach Colleen
I keep my organizer on hand and open, while im at my desk. Thats where i keep my to do list and just check them off as they happen. Just a simple to to list helps too. If something is going to happen a week from now, and i know i wont remeber even if i write it down in my planner, i put it in the calendar of my phone a day in advanced so that it alarms me a day before. Post its also help: the most important things, ill write on the post it and make sure its the first thing i see in the morning, or when i open my planner.
To make less mistakes, i put a (CQ) beside every fact and then if need be, i call back my source to make sure the fact is right ( i dont read them their quote back though) and ask if the name, number, etc is correct. If ive already called more than twice, i simply tell my source that i want to make sure that i have it right and then get the info corrected. Then i erase each (CQ) when i have checked them.
This is where i get stumped too, Its such a new place, i feel like i spend more time trying to adjust, get the stuff i have to done, and just dont have time to. But im working on it.
-What I do to stay organized is have a planner with a calendar big enough to write several things in for each day. I write where I have to go for the day, what I need to accomplish and so on. I also clip in items of fun things I can do for that week as well. It is my guide in a way for what I should be doing daily. I also keep a to-do list on the computer so I can delete or add items.
-If I’m stressing about making errors I will have my editor, the web editor and other friends in the newsroom look at my piece and see if it makes sense. If I need more information I will call my contacts back and double check information they gave me. But take a deep breath and I would say to go into the story thinking that each item of information might be wrong so check your notes, check on the web, have editors check your spelling and don’t be afraid to call your contacts or see them again and ask. People won’t hold it against you if you ask if your work is correct.
-For a story idea, I think about what’s important to me in my life or what is important to others right now. Then look through magazine articles or other newspaper articles and find a way to make a different but important story that’s relevant in your community. It’s always good to first have an interest yourself in the subject matter and a thirst to find out more.
Organization: GMail calenders are awesome, plus you can route it to your iPhone (not that I have one) and make print outs. It is wonderful for work, play and school.
Doubt: the best thing you can do to confirm dates, numbers, websites, etc., is to Google the dates, dial the numbers and track the websites. Stay confident!!!
Enterprise: Reporter’s hats don’t just apply to strangers! Muses of mine include my Super-Mom of four in LA’s Chinatown, my sports-loving boyfriend who works in the NFL and all my tree-hugging roommates back in Boulder. Always seek to phone-date regularly, firstly to keep in touch, but also to ask those questions we reporters, and photog, do.
Doubting: I’m pretty sure your doubt, stress and anxiety is what’s causing you to make errors. It’s easier said than done, but you have to relax. Once you start to calm down, I’m sure you’ll see far fewer mistakes. Also, Sue Stock’s pencil check method is a beast. I’ve caught more would-be errors than I can count using that method.
Following Through: Are you actually coming up with reasons for why it isn’t a story idea, or are you talking yourself out of writing the story? Before killing a story that doesn’t work out the way you thought it would, ask yourself if you can approach it from another angle or view point. Play the “what if” game.
Another way to come up with enterprise ideas is to learn a process. Learn how a system or process is supposed to work. You may find that something isn’t working the way that it’s suppose to and that can lead to a story. Sometimes you’ll find people or situations that illustrate a process and that can turn into a story.
I second Sally. GCal will CHANGE your life. And if you haven’t switched to Gmail yet, then you’re only working at about 25% of your possible efficiency. I’ve got no magic bullets for errors, but as far as enterprise stories go — definitely do something that you’re interested in, not just something that you think will be a “big” story. Enterprise is much easier when you’re invested in it.
Staying organized can be difficult, especially when your editor is constantly throwing so many things at you. First off, I bring a daily planner to work every day. That should help you keep track on your day to day basis, and what’s to come. Also, when I’ve filed for the day, I go back to my notes and add contacts (name/work and cell phone/position) to a Word document for contacts. That way, I don’t have to shuffle through a ton of notes to find a source I need later. This has really helped with efficiency and having time to check my stories for content and grammar before filing.
I really like Colleen’s suggestion:
Sources. At the end of every phone conversation or interview ask: “What else is your agency/organization/company/community working on that might be of interest to people? What should the paper be covering about your agency, organization, etc.?” When you cover meetings, listen for comments that could be developed into stories. Identify topics that interest you, identify the community leaders involved in those topics, call them up or go see them.
This is something I really haven’t considered and I’m going to try to do more often. One thing I’ve realized is that people love to talk about their organization/company and what’s ahead.