If you’re passionate about writing, you’ve probably noticed that there are plenty of opportunities for you to pitch in, even if you don’t have professional writing experience. All you need is a good idea, a talent for persuading others, and the ability to prove yourself. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to get an internship editorial position at a reputable news website. We’ll cover everything from how to research the right opportunity to how to prepare for the interview.
Find An Editorial Position At A Reputable New Website
If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to getting an editorial position at a reputable news website, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover all the bases from finding the job to pitching in to ensure your success.
As a prospective editorial intern, your first task is to research reputable news websites that are looking for interns. You can do this by simply searching for “news websites” and “internships” in your local search engine. This will give you a list of results that meet your criteria. You can narrow your search to show results that are more relevant to your location and career goals by using keywords such as “journalist internship Seattle” or “editorial internships NYC”. When you find a website that seems promising, click on its link and you’ll be taken to its details page.
On this page, you’ll get everything you need to know about the company, including its website, social media pages (if applicable), and contact information. Review these details carefully because they will all be useful in the coming weeks. You can also get a feel for the kind of content that the website publishes by reviewing its articles or watching a few of its videos. If the content is on-brand and appeals to your interests, you’ll have a better chance of landing an editorial position at this company. Keep in mind that not all press releases and blog articles are created equal. Some publications focus more heavily on promoting a brand than others, so be sure to do some research before applying for an internship there.
Develop A Marketing Plan
Even though the details of the job will vary from one editorial position to the next, most of them will require some form of content creation. This can include writing for a blog or a press release, or even editing an existing article. Whatever you are able to do to contribute to the content creation of the site, develop a plan and pitch to your potential employer what you can bring to the table.
To start, you could try contributing to a blog on the site that is already in existence. This will give you experience writing for a brand whilst also earning you experience that can land you other gigs. To stand out, you could write about a topic that is either trending or has a specific appeal to the company.
For example, if you’re an outdoors enthusiast who loves hiking, you could write about your latest excursion, giving the reader an insight into what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
Pitch Your Plan
Now that you have your editorial niche in mind, you can begin to craft a pitch that will convince the company that you’re the right person for the job. You want to choose your words carefully, as you’ll be pitching the editor of the site, so make sure that your pitch is effective, but not overbearing. Here’s an example of a winning pitch:
“Dear Matt,
I’ve been thinking about contributing to your publication for a while, and I think that I’ve finally found a topic that seems right up your alley.
I’m a journalism major with a track record of contributing to student publications, and I’ve always wanted to try my hand at pitching. After doing some research, I’ve found a relevant topic that I think you’re going to love: capturing and sharing the awe-inspiring sights that nature has to offer.
If you’re interested, I’d love to chat more about the possibility and see what I can do to help. Thanks,
Sarah
At first glance, this letter does not seem like it would work. Instead of starting with a greeting, the writer immediately dives into the meat of the proposed article. She refers to herself in the third person as “Sarah”, which the editor might find annoying.
The letter is well-crafted and has a clear objective: to get the editor of the website interested in publishing the writer’s piece. However, it could use some work. The author starts with a compelling opening line that immediately draws the reader into the article. This could be rewritten to make it more effective.
The next section is also effective. The writer explains briefly how she came up with the idea for the article and how she became interested in the topic. She also provides some solid supporting evidence that the editor will find useful.
Lastly, the letter demonstrates how the writer can be of help to the editor. The writer has expertise in the area, and she has already started research on the topic. If the editor is looking for a journalist who can research and report on seasonal trends in parks, forests, and open spaces across the country, the writer is already on her way to becoming a valuable asset.
In summary, this letter shows how the author did his research, which led him to the idea for the article. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the author can contribute to the publication, as he has already started researching and collecting data. The editor will find this a valuable resource, and the author can further solidify his position by pitching additional articles to the site.
Follow Up
After you’ve pitched your editorial idea to the editor of the website, don’t give up. Follow up with a brief email a few days later to thank him or her for their time and to let them know that you’re still interested in the position.
If you haven’t heard back from the editor, it’s time to move on to the next step. However, if the editor was interested in your editorial idea, he or she will most likely reach out to you directly. Keep a lookout for any emails that may come your way, and don’t miss out on this opportunity to further establish yourself as an asset to the company.
Apply For Internships
Now that you’ve got experience writing and pitching to an editor, you can begin to look for internships that can help you gain more experience and further establish yourself as an asset to the company.
As a first step, you can search for jobs that are relevant to your career goals. To find these positions, you can use the keywords “journalism internships”, “news website internships”, or “editorial internship” to search for job listings in your local area.
Once you have your list of relevant positions, you can narrow your search to specific areas that interest you. For example, if you’re particularly passionate about environmental issues, you could search for “environmental journalist internships”, “environmental internships”, or “green journalism internships” to find jobs that fit your criteria.
Interview And If Needed, Hire
After you’ve gotten exposure to the editorial side of a news website, it’s time to shine. During your job search, you can contact the editorial offices of various websites to see if they have any open positions. Once you’ve landed a job, you can negotiate a starting salary based on your experience.
If you’re looking for a reputable news website that is seeking an editorial intern, keep an eye out for posts that appeal to your interests. With a little bit of luck and determination, you can put this skill to work for you.