“I don’t want to network”
drink every time I say network
My parents do not have business-y jobs. They did not graduate college. This is the case for most of my hometown friends.
So when I was a freshman in college and everyone was talking about networking, I was confused. I had heard of networking, but I had NO idea what it looked like. I had so many questions I didn’t even know where to start.
Also, when it comes to journalism networking looks a bit different. Business people often are handing out business cards, shaking hands and putting on some weird fake front. In my experience, these things aren’t totally necessary in journalism.
You don’t need 500 LinkedIn connections. You don’t need to attend those networking fairs your university hosts. You don’t have to impress recruiters with a resume printed on cardstock. You need one handy tool: Twitter.
If there is a journalist you admire, DM them. If there’s someone who’s job interests you, DM them. If there’s someone covering a beat you dream of, DM them. If you need advice on how to find diverse sourcing, DM a journalist who seems to excel at this.
Twitter makes it very easy to connect with journalists and can really help you build a network to rely on.
At this point, I have a pretty large network of journalists that I know. These people have become my close friends, my bosses, my co-workers, etc. I even have people in Brooklyn that I know I can rely to help me water a plant or check on my cat if I left town.
Before I get into how you should DM your favorite journalists, I’m going to give you another piece of advice that is why I have such a vast network. You don’t have to network with much older people. Network with people your age!
In college, I really focused on building relationships with people within 1-5 years of my age. It’s less scary than trying to email some old head editor and you may form a relationship that’s more than professional. (I mean friends… unless…)
You may have one connection that works at USA TODAY (me) and your new potential friend may have one connection that works at Bloomberg. That person at Bloomberg has 3 friends at NPR who has 10 friends at The Tampa Bay Times… etc etc.
OK so… how do you DM a journalist you admire?
I looked back on some DMs I've received and also DMs I sent. The DMs I’ve sent are so cringey. I will not be sharing what I said.
My advice is
be cool! they’re people not celebs so don’t be nervous
keep your opening short. just say hi, introduce yourself and maybe ask to chat
don’t be afraid to follow up
if they are too busy rn, doesn’t mean they’ll be too busy in a few months
here’s a fake DM I just wrote for y’all
Hey! My name is Jaden and I’m a senior at IU. I love your reporting on internet culture and your voice. I was wondering if you ever would have maybe 20-30 minutes to just chat about your career and how to develop a unique voice. Hope you’re having a great week!
Some things to note that I didn’t do
I didn’t write a book.
I didn’t ASSUME you’re going to make time for me by saying, “Looking forward to hearing from you!” or “I’m free on Monday!”
I didn’t worry about including networking buzzwords or coming across very beep boop business robot.
So… go forth… send some DMs.
all my men have covid
I dodged COVID by hooking up with a COVID + person once. I will not be risking it twice!!!
Everyone I know has COVID or feels sick (this is hyperbole). Even if they didn’t I’m not hanging out with them because I don’t trust them. Keeping myself healthy and safe is important.
Also if you have roommates, I would suggest not bringing home other people who can potentially get your roommates sick. It’s just fucking rude.
Sorry I don’t have any juicy updates for y’all. :( maybe in a few weeks!