1. The Secrets
of Great Journalism
David Sheets, former newspaper content editor;
past-president, St. Louis Pro Chapter,
Society of Professional Journalists
5. All you have to do is this:
Just show up and go to work, right?
6. That’s why so many people today think
they can be journalists overnight.
7. That’s why so many people today think
they can be journalists overnight.
The end result of journalism is obvious.
The amount of work required for it is not.
8. So, before considering a career in
journalism, consider everything that goes
into doing it ...
20. Pay special attention to:
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and my personal
favorites: Who cares? So what?
21. Pay special attention to:
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and my personal
favorites: Who cares? So what?
Color, size, shape, location, sound, aroma, texture,
mood, behavior.
22. Pay special attention to:
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and my personal
favorites: Who cares? So what?
Color, size, shape, location, sound, aroma, texture,
mood, behavior.
Looking past the obvious.
23. Pay special attention to:
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and my personal
favorites: Who cares? So what?
Color, size, shape, location, sound, aroma, texture,
mood, behavior.
Looking past the obvious.
The potential for surprise and shock.
24. Of course, the talent of paying attention
requires that you develop a second
habit ...
28. Sometimes, that’s a tough thing to do.
People love to talk at length about
themselves; that’s their favorite subject.
29. Sometimes, that’s a tough thing to do.
People love to talk at length about
themselves; that’s their favorite subject.
Listen, anyway. Guide the conversation, if
you must (‘That’s interesting, but ...’).
Somewhere in the middle is the golden
detail you seek.
32. This can be the toughest part of the job:
sifting through reams of files and data. It
requires immense diligence and patience.
33. This can be the toughest part of the job:
sifting through reams of files and data. It
requires immense diligence and patience.
It also requires more than a Google search.
34. This can be the toughest part of the job:
sifting through reams of files and data. It
requires immense diligence and patience.
It also requires more than a Google search.
Get comfortable with sites such as PACER,
Pipl, and Portico, and learn how to do
advanced searches on Facebook and
LinkedIn.
38. Deadlines have many purposes:
Scheduling — They form frameworks for accomplishing
important tasks.
39. Deadlines have many purposes:
Scheduling — They form frameworks for accomplishing
important tasks.
Budgeting — Within those frameworks, accountants
and bookkeepers figure how much money to spend.
40. Deadlines have many purposes:
Scheduling — They form frameworks for accomplishing
important tasks.
Budgeting — Within those frameworks, accountants
and bookkeepers figure how much money to spend.
Managing — They are the easiest tools for bosses
to determine whether you’re professional enough for
the job of journalism.
41. Miss a deadline or two, or more,
and a couple of things could happen:
42. Miss a deadline or two, or more,
and a couple of things could happen:
You’ll be fired.
43. Miss a deadline or two, or more,
and a couple of things could happen:
You’ll be fired.
You’ll be labeled as untrustworthy, receive only boring
assignments, and your input will be ignored no matter
its value. (Worse, colleagues may steal your ideas
and get all the credit for them.)
47. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
48. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
Managing your time — to the hour if necessary.
49. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
Managing your time — to the hour if necessary.
Taking detailed notes.
50. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
Managing your time — to the hour if necessary.
Taking detailed notes.
Having a filing system for important documents.
51. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
Managing your time — to the hour if necessary.
Taking detailed notes.
Having a filing system for important documents.
Having a support system (people who can help collect
information, data).
52. This can be achieved by:
Getting organized, collecting all the necessary
equipment (pen, paper, smartphone, tablet/laptop,
microphone, video/still camera, etc.)
Managing your time — to the hour if necessary.
Taking detailed notes.
Having a filing system for important documents.
Having a support system (people who can help collect
information, data).
Developing good, trustworthy sources.
53. And speaking of sources, it’s crucial these
days to have ...
62. In 2008, the phone function became
the least-used part of a mobile phone.
63. In 2008, the phone function became
the least-used part of a mobile phone.
In 2010, social media became the
most-used function.
64. In 2011, social media proved its value as
a reporting tool when it was used to break
news of the Arab Spring uprisings in the
Middle East.
65. In 2011, social media proved its value as
a reporting tool when it was used to break
news of the Arab Spring uprisings in the
Middle East.
In 2012, social media outpaced the major
media in breaking-news coverage of the
presidential election campaign.
66. In 2013, social media may become the
only tool you need to collect and publish
the news.
67. In 2013, social media may become the
only tool you need to collect and publish
the news.
So, start using it properly.
71. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
72. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
Sharing links, to show people what you’re reading.
73. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
Sharing links, to show people what you’re reading.
Starting chats / discussions with other journalists.
74. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
Sharing links, to show people what you’re reading.
Starting chats / discussions with other journalists.
Distributing original content.
75. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
Sharing links, to show people what you’re reading.
Starting chats / discussions with other journalists.
Distributing original content.
Attending meetups and tweetups.
76. Build social interaction by:
Posting regularly
Creating a content calendar based on interests.
Responding to posts, tweets.
Sharing links, to show people what you’re reading.
Starting chats / discussions with other journalists.
Distributing original content.
Attending meetups and tweetups.
Asking for help, advice.
78. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
79. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
80. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
Try many, but master a few.
81. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
Try many, but master a few.
Everything you publish becomes public.
82. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
Try many, but master a few.
Everything you publish becomes public.
Be ethical; admit when you’re wrong.
83. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
Try many, but master a few.
Everything you publish becomes public.
Be ethical; admit when you’re wrong.
Consider there are people out there who are paid good
money to mislead you.
84. When using social media for journalism:
Always identify yourself as a journalist.
Remember — social networks are not toys.
Try many, but master a few.
Everything you publish becomes public.
Be ethical; admit when you’re wrong.
Consider there are people out there who are paid good
money to mislead you.
Verify everything.
86. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s
Twitter biography.
87. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s
Twitter biography.
Do a Google search.
88. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s
Twitter biography.
Do a Google search.
Scrutinize sender’s other
social media sites.
89. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s
Twitter biography.
Do a Google search.
Scrutinize sender’s other
social media sites.
On breaking news,
review timestamps.
90. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s
Twitter biography.
Do a Google search.
Scrutinize sender’s other
social media sites.
On breaking news,
review timestamps.
Be mindful of user
context.
91. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s Check the frequency
Twitter biography. of tweets.
Do a Google search.
Scrutinize sender’s other
social media sites.
On breaking news,
review timestamps.
Be mindful of user
context.
92. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s Check the frequency
Twitter biography. of tweets.
Do a Google search. Check for related tweets.
Scrutinize sender’s other
social media sites.
On breaking news,
review timestamps.
Be mindful of user
context.
93. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s Check the frequency
Twitter biography. of tweets.
Do a Google search. Check for related tweets.
Scrutinize sender’s other Examine past tweets;
social media sites. search for patterns in
the sender’s stream.
On breaking news,
review timestamps.
Be mindful of user
context.
94. Learn how to verify tweets:
Check the sender’s Check the frequency
Twitter biography. of tweets.
Do a Google search. Check for related tweets.
Scrutinize sender’s other Examine past tweets;
social media sites. search for patterns in
the sender’s stream.
On breaking news,
review timestamps. Send a direct message.
Be mindful of user
context.
96. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
97. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
Too few updates, and those that exist are mostly spam.
98. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
Too few updates, and those that exist are mostly spam.
Photos turn up in Google file-art searches.
99. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
Too few updates, and those that exist are mostly spam.
Photos turn up in Google file-art searches.
Dozens, even hundreds of tags on one photo.
100. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
Too few updates, and those that exist are mostly spam.
Photos turn up in Google file-art searches.
Dozens, even hundreds of tags on one photo.
Missing or suspicious contact information.
101. Signs that Facebook account may be fake:
Too many friends, and most of them are of the opposite
gender.
Too few updates, and those that exist are mostly spam.
Photos turn up in Google file-art searches.
Dozens, even hundreds of tags on one photo.
Missing or suspicious contact information.
Birth dates on Jan. 1, or major holidays.
102. The Secrets
of Great Journalism
David Sheets
Email: dksheets@gmail.com / Facebook: DKSheets
LinkedIn: DKSheets / Twitter: @DKSheets
