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How To

How to Find a Story as a Reporter

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(8 Ratings)

To stay ahead of the pack, a reporter constantly needs to be on the lookout for compelling stories.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Read everything you can get your hands on. Story ideas can germinate from the most unlikely places.

  2. Step 2

    Ask non-writer friends for ideas; everyone always has one or two, and unlike writers, these folks won't be concerned about sharing their ideas.

  3. Step 3

    Talk to editors and find out what kind of stories they look for and assign.

  4. Step 4

    Go back to old magazines and check for riveting stories that haven't been covered in the press recently, or look for ways to update old stories.

  5. Step 5

    When you do come across something that might lead to a solid story, make sure the subject will be of interest to both you and the reader.

  6. Step 6

    Be sure no one else has written about it somewhere else, and protect your idea from inquiring minds.

  7. Step 7

    Pitch your story to the appropriate publication.

Tips & Warnings
  • By using connections or ingenuity, find an angle that no one else could possibly get.
  • Know the publication you are pitching the story to and make sure the pitch is written in that publication's voice.
  • Keep in mind that an interesting fact isn't necessarily a story - look for a hook.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you're in Berkeley, and you know a strike's happening in San Francisco the following day, don't waste time. Don't get caught in police headquarters snooping around either ;)

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