Getting into Motoring Journalism....Advice Please !!
Discussion
The title says it all really, but let me elaborate:
Hi fellow PHers,
So I've finished university last year and have been doing odd jobs since, whilst looking for a 'proper job'. I have been fascinated with cars for as long as I remember and have always dreamed about getting a job working with them at some point. I've almost got my 'foot in the door' working for a couple of racing teams in the past, however unfortunately on both occasions the teams failed to get sponsorship, so the jobs never actually happened!
Like a lot of people on here I am a proper car nut and think a job as a motoring journalist would be amazing!
If I don't have a go at doing it now, I may look back in 10 years time, and think what might have been. So has anyone on here got any advise on what is the best route to pursue?
I'm writing to all the mags I can think of to try and get some work experiance, as like in all industries, I'm sure its more who you know than what. If anyone else has any usefull hints tips, or people I could speak to, then your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks Eddy
Hi fellow PHers,
So I've finished university last year and have been doing odd jobs since, whilst looking for a 'proper job'. I have been fascinated with cars for as long as I remember and have always dreamed about getting a job working with them at some point. I've almost got my 'foot in the door' working for a couple of racing teams in the past, however unfortunately on both occasions the teams failed to get sponsorship, so the jobs never actually happened!
Like a lot of people on here I am a proper car nut and think a job as a motoring journalist would be amazing!
If I don't have a go at doing it now, I may look back in 10 years time, and think what might have been. So has anyone on here got any advise on what is the best route to pursue?
I'm writing to all the mags I can think of to try and get some work experiance, as like in all industries, I'm sure its more who you know than what. If anyone else has any usefull hints tips, or people I could speak to, then your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks Eddy
Don't be Twincam16. Sorry twinners. 
Occasionally the motoring rags will advertise for a teaboy/gofer, but it only happens once in a blue moon as keen types put in speculative applications and get there before it ever gets to an advert. The money is crap unless you own the magazine. Like davepoth says, the best way is to just get writing; if you're good enough pretty soon people will start offering commissions. Look at the dross Riggers puts out on here, and he gets paid! 
Go to local club meets or motorsport events and write reports, review your car, then post it somewhere online; whatever it is, get writing!
Occasionally the motoring rags will advertise for a teaboy/gofer, but it only happens once in a blue moon as keen types put in speculative applications and get there before it ever gets to an advert. The money is crap unless you own the magazine. Like davepoth says, the best way is to just get writing; if you're good enough pretty soon people will start offering commissions. Look at the dross Riggers puts out on here, and he gets paid! Go to local club meets or motorsport events and write reports, review your car, then post it somewhere online; whatever it is, get writing!
Edited by hidetheelephants on Thursday 26th July 17:49
As you're one of many thousands who want to be a journalist, you'll have to have something special to offer to stand out from the crowd, particularly as print journalism is shrinking by the hour. Do you have any of the following: good degree in journalism from a red brick; good degree in English from a red brick; strong family ties to Motorsport (famous father); a natural grasp of the written word (spelling, prose and grammar); or an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the motoring sector you wish to write about? If so, you may just get lucky. If not, plan B. Good luck!
I'm in the same boat as you OP. What I've done is get work experience at a publishers - and been back there 3 times since having a large portfolio's worth of published work. What I do is get along to as many motoring events as I can and write about them. I look for motoring news and write about them - my take on the story. Write about your car - anything car related. You could start a blog and become self published.
I've been told 'it's not necessarily what you know, but who you know'. Try and get your name out there - write to editors of motoring magazines etc....
I've been told 'it's not necessarily what you know, but who you know'. Try and get your name out there - write to editors of motoring magazines etc....
Glad to hear you’re considering a career in motoring journalism, Eddy – it’s a great profession indeed.
I’m a PH contributor and Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers, the professional body for motoring journalists. We run several competitions for new writers that may be of interest to you:
Sir William Lyons Award – for people aged 17-23 looking for a career as a motoring journalist. The prize is £2500 and two years’ probationary membership of the Guild. Famous winners include Tony Dron, David Vivian, Tim Pollard, Tony Dodgins… it’s a prized award and a real door-opener. Closing date for this year is 30 September.
SEAT Blogger of the Year Award – for the best automotive blog by someone not already employed within the industry. Prize is an iPad and the loan of a SEAT test car for appraisal. Again, closing date is Sept 30.
Phil Llewellin Student of the Year Award – for the best student on the Guild-accredited motoring journalism courses at Coventry and Cardiff Universities.
Both the latter courses may be of interest to you as they are consistently bringing many excellent new people into the industry.
More broadly, writing well is a given but having an educated opinion is also vital. You need to contextualise the industry and its products, have an awareness of its history and be able to demonstrate an informed confidence in your work that means an editor would know they could trust you with an assignment.
Asking for advice here is a good start though: drop me a line if I can be of any further help.
I’m a PH contributor and Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers, the professional body for motoring journalists. We run several competitions for new writers that may be of interest to you:
Sir William Lyons Award – for people aged 17-23 looking for a career as a motoring journalist. The prize is £2500 and two years’ probationary membership of the Guild. Famous winners include Tony Dron, David Vivian, Tim Pollard, Tony Dodgins… it’s a prized award and a real door-opener. Closing date for this year is 30 September.
SEAT Blogger of the Year Award – for the best automotive blog by someone not already employed within the industry. Prize is an iPad and the loan of a SEAT test car for appraisal. Again, closing date is Sept 30.
Phil Llewellin Student of the Year Award – for the best student on the Guild-accredited motoring journalism courses at Coventry and Cardiff Universities.
Both the latter courses may be of interest to you as they are consistently bringing many excellent new people into the industry.
More broadly, writing well is a given but having an educated opinion is also vital. You need to contextualise the industry and its products, have an awareness of its history and be able to demonstrate an informed confidence in your work that means an editor would know they could trust you with an assignment.
Asking for advice here is a good start though: drop me a line if I can be of any further help.
Speaking from "the other side" as it were ... I run just-auto.com, a business automotive publication (amongst others) and recruit journos on a regular basis.
At present, there is an apparent glut of newly "trained" writers leaving University from one of many courses - some are accredited and others not. To start sorting wheat from chaff, we look for a person who has been through an NCTJ approved scheme (http://www.nctj.com/). Sadly, even this is no indicator of even basic skill in grammar, spelling and composition. You would not believe the utter garbage that passes for CVs and covering letters these days.
If the person applying has a decent course under their belt, and passes a standard writing skills test, it is then down to their personality fit for the company, passion for the subject we are hiring for and general attitude. We are looking for people who love to write, can clearly articulate opinions and have good general knowledge (the latest plant shutting in Spain needs to be contextualised for instance).
For more experienced positions, it is then all about the resume, examples of prior work and their reputation within the journo circles. Motoring is a fairly small community and it is not hard to find someone who has personal experience of working with the applicant or remembers meeting them on various jollies (err .... tedious and boring trips to Italy to test the latest tin I meant).
For every job we advertise, we'll get between 30 and 100 applications - and this is for a B2B position, not even a "glamorous" consumer rag. Few really stand out; those that do will almost always make the top of the pile.
Richard's advice on the Guild is a good one - they are a respected body that my editor knows well.
At present, there is an apparent glut of newly "trained" writers leaving University from one of many courses - some are accredited and others not. To start sorting wheat from chaff, we look for a person who has been through an NCTJ approved scheme (http://www.nctj.com/). Sadly, even this is no indicator of even basic skill in grammar, spelling and composition. You would not believe the utter garbage that passes for CVs and covering letters these days.
If the person applying has a decent course under their belt, and passes a standard writing skills test, it is then down to their personality fit for the company, passion for the subject we are hiring for and general attitude. We are looking for people who love to write, can clearly articulate opinions and have good general knowledge (the latest plant shutting in Spain needs to be contextualised for instance).
For more experienced positions, it is then all about the resume, examples of prior work and their reputation within the journo circles. Motoring is a fairly small community and it is not hard to find someone who has personal experience of working with the applicant or remembers meeting them on various jollies (err .... tedious and boring trips to Italy to test the latest tin I meant).
For every job we advertise, we'll get between 30 and 100 applications - and this is for a B2B position, not even a "glamorous" consumer rag. Few really stand out; those that do will almost always make the top of the pile.
Richard's advice on the Guild is a good one - they are a respected body that my editor knows well.
Hi guys,
Thanks very much for the help and advice over the weekend. Looks like there is alot of very interesting info there, so I'll have a good in depth look through it all today.
In reply to rog007, unfortunately I do not have incredibly famous/well connected parents, otherwise I would probably be out racing lol. I did however have a very good education and got a descent degree in design. I DO HAVE an excellent knowledge of the industry and a passion for cars, as well as good knowledge and understanding of mechanics, which I think a number of Journalists in the industry lack somewhat.
Thank again for the advice and I will let you know how I progress.
Eddy
Thanks very much for the help and advice over the weekend. Looks like there is alot of very interesting info there, so I'll have a good in depth look through it all today.
In reply to rog007, unfortunately I do not have incredibly famous/well connected parents, otherwise I would probably be out racing lol. I did however have a very good education and got a descent degree in design. I DO HAVE an excellent knowledge of the industry and a passion for cars, as well as good knowledge and understanding of mechanics, which I think a number of Journalists in the industry lack somewhat.
Thank again for the advice and I will let you know how I progress.
Eddy
Edited by retroracing on Monday 30th July 10:47
A lad I used to live with did it with a company fairly familiar to most people in the following way >
Uni (did the usual degree, but also tried to get his stuff seen as much as possible, contributed to a regional website on cars) > Got a job at a large publisher on a title he had no interest in, but if proved himself could get a shot at the titles he wanted to work on (cars) > 2 years later a job on the car titles came up, thanks to his networking and good work he got the job > he must be 24 now, and a long career in that field awaits I would imagine.
Uni (did the usual degree, but also tried to get his stuff seen as much as possible, contributed to a regional website on cars) > Got a job at a large publisher on a title he had no interest in, but if proved himself could get a shot at the titles he wanted to work on (cars) > 2 years later a job on the car titles came up, thanks to his networking and good work he got the job > he must be 24 now, and a long career in that field awaits I would imagine.
retroracing said:
Hi guys,
Thanks very much for the help and advice over the weekend. Looks like there is alot of very interesting info there, so I'll have a good in depth look through it all today.
In reply to rog007, unfortunately I do not have incredibly famous/well connected parents, otherwise I would probably be out racing lol. I did however have a very good education and got a descent degree in design. I DO HAVE an excellent knowledge of the industry and a passion for cars, as well as good knowledge and understanding of mechanics, which I think a number of Journalists in the industry lack somewhat.
Thank again for the advice and I will let you know how I progress.
Eddy
My advice would be to look for another line of work. You don't have an obvious way into this niche and your spelling is garbage... I don't like to be the grammar police but its a huge issue if you're doing it on a thread about getting a journalism job...Thanks very much for the help and advice over the weekend. Looks like there is alot of very interesting info there, so I'll have a good in depth look through it all today.
In reply to rog007, unfortunately I do not have incredibly famous/well connected parents, otherwise I would probably be out racing lol. I did however have a very good education and got a descent degree in design. I DO HAVE an excellent knowledge of the industry and a passion for cars, as well as good knowledge and understanding of mechanics, which I think a number of Journalists in the industry lack somewhat.
Thank again for the advice and I will let you know how I progress.
Eddy
Edited by retroracing on Monday 30th July 10:47
icetea said:
My advice would be to look for another line of work. You don't have an obvious way into this niche and your spelling is garbage... I don't like to be the grammar police but its a huge issue if you're doing it on a thread about getting a journalism job...
I have to be honest and agree with that. Anyone that wants to get into journalism or communications should be very detail orientated and be adept at proof reading. 
Good luck with it Eddie, hope to read you in Car soonest.Just a quick addendum, many on here are frustrated car journalists but life got in the way of the welsh triangle or whatever it is...They didn't pursue their dream (mine was F1 btw, lol). That doesn't mean you can't. Application and persistence plus talent might just equal win. Go for it.
retroracing said:
The title says it all really, but let me elaborate:
Hi fellow PHers,
So I've finished university last year and have been doing odd jobs since, whilst looking for a 'proper job'. I have been fascinated with cars for as long as I remember and have always dreamed about getting a job working with them at some point. I've almost got my 'foot in the door' working for a couple of racing teams in the past, however unfortunately on both occasions the teams failed to get sponsorship, so the jobs never actually happened!
Like a lot of people on here I am a proper car nut and think a job as a motoring journalist would be amazing!
If I don't have a go at doing it now, I may look back in 10 years time, and think what might have been. So has anyone on here got any advise on what is the best route to pursue?
I'm writing to all the mags I can think of to try and get some work experiance, as like in all industries, I'm sure its more who you know than what. If anyone else has any usefull hints tips, or people I could speak to, then your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks Eddy
Hi Eddy. I've sent you a PM regarding your post. Have you received it ok?Hi fellow PHers,
So I've finished university last year and have been doing odd jobs since, whilst looking for a 'proper job'. I have been fascinated with cars for as long as I remember and have always dreamed about getting a job working with them at some point. I've almost got my 'foot in the door' working for a couple of racing teams in the past, however unfortunately on both occasions the teams failed to get sponsorship, so the jobs never actually happened!
Like a lot of people on here I am a proper car nut and think a job as a motoring journalist would be amazing!
If I don't have a go at doing it now, I may look back in 10 years time, and think what might have been. So has anyone on here got any advise on what is the best route to pursue?
I'm writing to all the mags I can think of to try and get some work experiance, as like in all industries, I'm sure its more who you know than what. If anyone else has any usefull hints tips, or people I could speak to, then your help would be much appreciated.
Thanks Eddy
castex said:
Just a quick addendum, many on here are frustrated car journalists but life got in the way of the welsh triangle or whatever it is...They didn't pursue their dream (mine was F1 btw, lol). That doesn't mean you can't. Application and persistence plus talent might just equal win. Go for it.
But when the talent isn't there you're just banging your head on a brick wall with zero chance of success. How do you think the 'descent degree' is going to look on job applications?Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff