Pssst, out-of-work journalists: Consider a move to the dark side

From EContentMag.com, a temptation:

At every keynote speech I deliver, I tell corporations one of the best ways to create great web content is to actually hire a journalist, either full-time or part-time, to create it. Journalists, both print and broadcast, are great at understanding an audience and creating content that buyers want to consume-it's the bread and butter of their skill set.

Here's what this convergence means to you, a smart journalist: You went to journalism school to learn how to tell a story in words and images. Yes, the employers who traditionally hired your skills are shrinking fast. But there is an entirely new world out there for you to consider. Please keep an open mind about this.

I'm not talking about PR and media relations here. This isn't about writing press releases and trying to get your former colleagues to write or broadcast about you. Instead, I'm talking about creating stories as you are now but for a corporation, a government agency, a nonprofit, or an educational institution instead. You probably haven't seriously considered that there are potential employers outside of media companies.

Yes, there are new potential employers. And they need you and your skills-now. You've learned that you need to look at all sides of a story. You wonder how you can be balanced if you work for the Dark Side. I get that. I worked alongside Pulitzer Prize winners at the late, great Knight-Ridder for 6 years myself, so I understand. However, if you realize that your skills are in demand right now, you've got a new and exciting opportunity.

You don't need to compromise your integrity. You still tell stories. You still practice your craft. You still have followers who care about what you do. You still change people's lives.

Comments

[overworked writer (and proud of it)]

So true. Good writers can have all the work they're capable of putting out if you're willing to step outside into the real world. Website writing, newsletters, marketing communications, magazine articles, annual reports, and yes, press releases. Don't limit yourselves and certainly don't think of it as going to the 'dark side.' There are many, many of us out there who are hard-working, ethical, valuable members of a team in a wide array of industries, nonprofits and other organizations. We get a helluva lot more respect than you'd ever dream of getting in the media -- we're revered for the "magic" we can do, even if it's just editing a letter for a CEO.Stop all the drama, stop all the trauma and realize you have a gift and there are businesses out there who will love you for your abilities.

[amen!]

There is a great big ol' world out there in need of good communicators. As a former newspaper person, I totally agree with what is being said here. There is no shame in telling a good story to the world. Sometimes doing so even helps create the societal betterment so many journalists deep down crave. Embrace the future!