As a freelancer, I don’t have a newsroom. However, this week’s learnings have inspired me to think about how I might pitch solutions stories to editors differently. First, I liked the outline the guest speaker used to plan solutions stories and I think it would be a great framework for a pitch. Secondly, there are so many benefits in terms of audience engagement according to the lessons this week. This is another selling point I plan to add to pitches in the future. I, unfortunately, don’t have the luxury of only working with solutions journalism outlets, and I am not privy to conversations within newsrooms that would help me gauge the level of familiarity and interest editors have when it comes to doing more SJ in their publications. The pitch is the only place where I can help editors understand why they need to commission a solutions story rather than a problem-focused one. I would love to hear from other freelancers in the group to see how they are planning to integrate this week’s lessons into their own workflows.
This is such a great idea Ruth!
I think freelancer journalists pitching solutions journalism stories to editors will be a good starting point to introduce it in the mainstream media. I think it's a good opportunity for editors to trial it before committing to do more sojo stories with their own staff.
Good luck with your pitches!
I think freelancer journalists pitching solutions journalism stories to editors will be a good starting point to introduce it in the mainstream media. I think it's a good opportunity for editors to trial it before committing to do more sojo stories with their own staff.
Good luck with your pitches!
Thanks, Teresa! I hope it works out. Even if editors have SoJo on their radar, there aren't very many successful outlets with a strong solutions journalism focus. Yes! is the only one that comes to mind, and I think there's a British one? Even some of the ones mentioned in the reading materials for the course, like The Correspondent, are no longer publishing. For editors at other magazines and news sites, I feel like there needs to be a really strong case for why they need SoJo pieces -- especially if they are aware of SoJo outlets that have shut down.
Your suggestions are equally valuable for contract journalists.
As an editor I would except my reporters to come up with pitches that serve a greater purpose.
As an editor I would except my reporters to come up with pitches that serve a greater purpose.
It's good to know, Abdulaziz, that you're an editor and you're interested and you're here taking a course with us. I, as a freelancer, like Ruth, still have difficulty seeing where to propose stories like this. I'm going to start looking more closely.
I offer you and anyone here space in my publication. I have to be honest that we don't pay for articles but it could be good for exposure for those who, either are starting or want to enter new markets.
Our focus remains on the energy sector in general: oil, gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, hydrogen, ammonia, critical minerals, etc.
You can write to me at: editor@ognnews.com
Our focus remains on the energy sector in general: oil, gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, hydrogen, ammonia, critical minerals, etc.
You can write to me at: editor@ognnews.com
Wow, it's very good! I'll save your contact and write for you when I have an article. Thank you!
yes, i think it's a good idea to do pitches for SOJO stories so that many editors and newsrooms will start getting used to it and practice it too.
Agreed.