Journalism tutorials and careers advice

We've got a mix of techniques and tools to build your skills, interviews with working journalists and comment on industry trends.

We welcome your feedback.

Journalism techniques and tools

Promoting yourself as an author online

In this article, originally published in The Author magazine (Autumn 2006), Sean McManus provides a beginners' guide to setting up and operating an author website

Top ten tips for successful freelancing

Sean McManus outlines ten steps to more ideas and more business for freelance writers in this article which appeared in the book Journalism Uncovered by Emma Caprez.

Don't believe the hype

PR people are paid to fight for space in the magazine and desperate to get good coverage. I wouldn't say they'd actually lie to you. But the truth is pretty stretchy stuff. Sean McManus reveals what they'll try to sneak past you in press releases.

Finding buried leads

Jenny Luesby explains how to uncover the real news behind a business press release.

Writing for the web

Every business - big or small - has its own website and more and more jobs are available writing copy for the web. The author of 'A simple guide to writing for your website' Susannah Ross addresses how writing for the web is different to writing for print and what you need to know to make your words work for you.

Six tips for energising your marketing writing

In this guest article, writers Linda Formichelli & W. Eric Martin offer advice on boosting the power of your words. Although it's written mainly for a marketing audience, it also highlights common problems in business to business magazines.

Correct workstation configuration

Repetitive strain injury is a real risk for journalists who spend all day typing and using a mouse. The RSI Association has kindly agreed to let us share their guide to setting up your workstation correctly.

Interviews with journalists

Writing with style

English is a malleable language, so most news organisations produce a style guide which contributors must abide by. The Guardian Style Guide is on the internet. Sean McManus interviewed the guide's co-editor Nikki Marshall about why it matters and why it's online.

Being a radio reporter

Corinne Podger reveals how she started working for the BBC and what skills you'll need to be a good radio reporter.

Being a TV reporter

Philippa Heap is a TV reporter for Anglia TV. In this interview, she reveals how she got into television news and offers tips to others who would like to follow in her footsteps.

Comment

Good writers - the web needs YOU!

Would your eyes glaze over if Jane Dorner introduced herself as a web author? Writing for the web is as challenging as novel-writing, she says, and deserves as much respect.

Don't imitate. Innovate.

Big dumb monkey-man keeps whacking tree with genitals? The internet is contributing to lazy journalism. Sean McManus argues journalists must remember to add value in their reporting. This article originally appeared in The Journalist in 1999, but is becoming more - and not less - relevant.

'Journalism Careers: Your questions answered'

Sample answers from the ebook

Read answers to the questions most frequently asked by school students.

Contribute an article

Would you like to write an article for this section of JournalismCareers.com? Contact us to run your idea past us (preferably) or if your article has already been written, send it over.