journalisticks.com

• aliyasking: If you are a new writer an the place is established and you trust them. I say go for it. I wrote a few on-spec pieces 
• aliyasking: I also wrote for a few magazines for free. Just because I wanted clips more than I wanted money.
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• aliyasking: ugh. This is a sore point for me. I keep hearing it’s impossible. But I don’t believe that
• Journalisticks: I find that the best way to get yourself in is start with something small and have it be reported, researched and written
• cecabrera: I hear the same thing. Developing relationships with editors somehow is really the key.
• bmockaveli: Strong pitch: Know subject matter as expert; Have at least dozen sources that you’ve ALREADY talked to; Have decent outline mapped

• Journalisticks: The great thing about the crappy media market is you can do as many things as you want. the hard part is GETTING PAID

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• aliyasking:I dragged myself into the blogosphere kicking and screaming. And it’s paying off for me in large and small ways.
• bmockaveli: Chloe dragged me into the blogosphere kicking and screaming, snot coming out my nose, slobber dripping from my lips

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• aliyasking: I HATE TAGGING. I do NOT tag people on Facebook notes unless I actually mentioned them. That’s me
• NakedWithSocks: I rotate who i tag so not to annoy, besides if sum1 already reads reg they don’t need to be tagged. hook new people

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• bmockaveli: Seriously, if you want to get paid handsomely for blogging, you will still have to have bangup reporting skills. Either have ironclad reporting or be a celeb to make $ off blogs. Marcy Wheeler @ Firedoglake just raised 67K – she’s no celeb
• NakedWithSocks: I know it took NahRight 5 years to get to where it’s at now so blogs aren’t an overnight cash cow takes time

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• aliyasking: not important at all. in my experience. have a BA in Africana Studies.
• clovito: I don’t think it’s that important if you have skills. my issue is writers who don’t have the basics 5 Ws down
• bmockaveli: By 2010: “Daddy, what’s a journalism degree? Did Fred Flinstone have one?”
• rlnave: ultimately it’s not. but an elite jschool can take you get your foot in the door faster
• Journalisticks: I think most students now who say they want to be journo really want to be STARS
• ToureX: I have no post-HS degree. I left college after junior yr (African-Am Studies major). I talked my way into graduate school for creative writing at Columbia which helped hone my skills a lot.

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“If you were starting out today, would you still go into journalism?” – Journalisticks

• ToureX: If I was starting out now? My heart would probably still lead me into journalism, I still love it. But now, at this vantage, being able to see how hard it’s become to be in journalism, I couldn’t advise anyone else. And I think journalism is really important to the country but the business models aren’t adding up.

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“Does your race play a part in the stories your cover and your angle?” - Journalisticks

• ToureX: Race definitely plays into some of my assignments.
• blacksolutions: “Black” Journalist need to get rid of the tier. Citizen Journalism is now just as valid. Blogs can give credibility w/mainstream
• Journalisticks: Sometimes i want the black stories cause I know if i don’t do it someone non-AA will and eff it up!

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• ToureX: I don’t yet know where blogging fits into a journo career. I don’t know what a future journo career will look like.
• sociallicks: I consider Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun-Times a journalist and all she writes is social commentary
• aliyasking:  I have faith that the talented will survive. The tenacious will learn social media and not resist. they’ll make it. I know writers who will not get on Twitter. They will be left behind.With blogging, it’s about being informed. you can’t just spout opinion and call yourself a journo. Blogs can have substance/research

And there you have it Folks…

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