Motoring Journalism...

[BakerBoy3000]

Hi all!
I’m new to the forums here, I’m a young lad (15) and wanting to persue a career in “Motoring Journalism” or whatever you’d want to call it. Done a little work experience on a car related website ran by my Uncle. I thought that on these forums I might be able to find some help/ advice from people.

Thanks

[captain_cynic]

BakerBoy3000 said:

Hi all!
I’m new to the forums here, I’m a young lad (15) and wanting to persue a career in “Motoring Journalism” or whatever you’d want to call it. Done a little work experience on a car related website ran by my Uncle. I thought that on these forums I might be able to find some help/ advice from people.

Thanks

Look at the prerequisites for getting into a journalism course at university.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Just write stuff and submit it. Even thought you aren't a driver, just write articles on what you think of certain cars, what you think of what's happening in the motoring world, the number of potholes, etc.

Do some research and get the correct email address for all the local papers, national papers, car mags etc. And submit them by email. Do this all the time, a couple a week. Even though you'll get no reply from most people most of the time, just keep going.

If they are good enough, soon someone will notice. If they're not, they won't, because it's not for you.

That's how my son became a sports journalist, never went to uni because he got a great job instead. Did qualifications by distance learning whilst working. Now works on national radio. Travels the world, etc.

[BakerBoy3000]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Just write stuff and submit it. Even thought you aren't a driver, just write articles on what you think of certain cars, what you think of what's happening in the motoring world, the number of potholes, etc.

Do some research and get the correct email address for all the local papers, national papers, car mags etc. And submit them by email. Do this all the time, a couple a week. Even though you'll get no reply from most people most of the time, just keep going.

If they are good enough, soon someone will notice. If they're not, they won't, because it's not for you.

That's how my son became a sports journalist, never went to uni because he got a great job instead. Did qualifications by distance learning whilst working. Now works on national radio. Travels the world, etc.

Thanks very much, I love writing stuff so it’s just getting the contacts with the papers/mags etc

[ZOLLAR]

BakerBoy3000 said:

Hi all!
I’m new to the forums here, I’m a young lad (15) and wanting to persue a career in “Motoring Journalism” or whatever you’d want to call it. Done a little work experience on a car related website ran by my Uncle. I thought that on these forums I might be able to find some help/ advice from people.

Thanks

Perhaps try writing articles about topics that affect cars as well a just the car itself.

I see many many people writing about the 0-60, cornering of the new BMW, Ford, Volvo etc etc but that's not everything about cars.

Consider Insurance, service costs (pros and cons of dealer/Indy), safety, detailing.

Whilst this is a car enthusiast site we're a minority in comparison to the market, the majority of car owners see vehicles as a monthly cost thus you have a bigger reader base than if you just focus on the enthusiasts.

Just my two pence..

[Billy.RS]

I would say learn as much as you can about media. Journalism may be your passion, but learning the legwork of drafting, producing and distributing media content will be really beneficial for you!

I would also start a portfolio, and try all different forms (Written, Audio, Video) and then when it comes to contacting a company for an opportunity you can prove your worth. Plus you would have learned the aspects that you do/do not enjoy

Best of luck

[spoodler]

A lot of folk will probably think it's not important, but if you wish to make a good impression make sure your copy is correct. Develop the habit of not posting/publishing anything without checking it for errors first, whether they be factual or grammatical. That includes posting on here, writing notes to yourself etc. - correct and to a good standard should become second nature. Your first post contains half a dozen spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Does it matter? You tell me, then think again as to whether or not writing is important to you.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

BakerBoy3000 said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Just write stuff and submit it. Even thought you aren't a driver, just write articles on what you think of certain cars, what you think of what's happening in the motoring world, the number of potholes, etc.

Do some research and get the correct email address for all the local papers, national papers, car mags etc. And submit them by email. Do this all the time, a couple a week. Even though you'll get no reply from most people most of the time, just keep going.

If they are good enough, soon someone will notice. If they're not, they won't, because it's not for you.

That's how my son became a sports journalist, never went to uni because he got a great job instead. Did qualifications by distance learning whilst working. Now works on national radio. Travels the world, etc.

Thanks very much, I love writing stuff so it’s just getting the contacts with the papers/mags etc

Also put it out on social media. Twitter, Facebook or whatever. And as said, make sure everything is completely error free.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

The Crack Fox said:

I have written for a few magazines and done some YouTube and books and stuff, yet my highest grade in anything is a 'U' in Media Studies A level from a crap East Midlands college. I often hear 'get a degree in Journalism' but, frankly, creating your own unique content, written in an engaging and interesting style, seems far more important.

No one my son works with has a journalism degree. Nor do they have media studies. If they have degrees at all, it's usually English, History or Geography. Both my sons work in the media and that's true for both organisations. No one has media focused qualifications at all.

[BakerBoy3000]

spoodler said:

A lot of folk will probably think it's not important, but if you wish to make a good impression make sure your copy is correct. Develop the habit of not posting/publishing anything without checking it for errors first, whether they be factual or grammatical. That includes posting on here, writing notes to yourself etc. - correct and to a good standard should become second nature. Your first post contains half a dozen spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Does it matter? You tell me, then think again as to whether or not writing is important to you.

You’re right, I didn’t bother thinking about grammar when posting this and just typed it in about thirty seconds (same for this reply). Bad grammar makes for a bad article, it would certainly be somethin I would focus on whilst writing.

[BakerBoy3000]

Billy.RS said:

I would say learn as much as you can about media. Journalism may be your passion, but learning the legwork of drafting, producing and distributing media content will be really beneficial for you!

I would also start a portfolio, and try all different forms (Written, Audio, Video) and then when it comes to contacting a company for an opportunity you can prove your worth. Plus you would have learned the aspects that you do/do not enjoy

Best of luck

Thanks for the help!

[zarjaz1991]

BakerBoy3000 said:

You’re right, I didn’t bother thinking about grammar when posting this and just typed it in about thirty seconds (same for this reply). Bad grammar makes for a bad article, it would certainly be somethin I would focus on whilst writing.

Just as a point of order, but there is an error in that as well.

It might sound picky but you're supposed to be trying to make a good impression, even here. Your post could easily be read by someone who might be in a position to give you an opportunity, yet you're still making spelling and grammar mistakes in posts.

I don't want to sound harsh, but if you're serious about this your posts need to be perfect in this regard.

That you've thanked someone for pointing this out but included another error isn't sending the right signals.

[andye30m3]

as a way to build up a portfolio / contacts would it be worth reporting on some club level motorsport / junior karting for a local participant, for a local paper?

a couple of friends of mine have had race reports on them printed in local papers which I'm sure were written by family and friends.

[chunder27]

Talking from experience, you will either need to be a very good salesman in an interview or have something specific you can talk about. A degree or something will be better than nothing.

I found getting interviews was not too bad but getting jobs far harder.

They will often want specifics, want you to pretty much be a subscriber to the publication and know it inside out. I was asked once in an interview if I read the magazine, and I said no because it was too expensive! lol

You will not get paid very well, will get all the crap jobs, unless you are lucky.

I would recommend either bombarding editors or webmasters with copy. There is not really such a thing as a motoring journo anymore, you have to be able to record audio, take pictures well, and knock it all together yourself, in the past that was done by a few people and all you had to do was write, which was my skill, not the rest.

I got out of it quickly as it is pathetically paid, monumentally competitive, and depending where you write, very crappy hours. But if you are keen, send stuff in, send mini road tests in, create a youtube channel.

To be honest if you are that keen, I would not bother with journalism at all, as most motoring viewing will be done on social media in the future, and having your own channel will make you far more money, plus you can control your content. And you don't need to learn much, just do what you know!!