The document provides tips for developing and maintaining a beat as a reporter, including identifying the scope of the beat, developing sources within the beat, identifying relevant publications and data sources, using social media to expand one's network, and hunting for story ideas within the beat by staying informed and actively engaging with sources. Reporters are encouraged to regularly check in with a wide range of sources and scan for changes, issues, and new developments within their beat to help focus their reporting and provide relevant information to their audience.

1. RACHELE KANIGEL

2.  Beats help reporters focus their reporting
 Beats help sources know who to contact with
story ideas & concerns
 Beats help keep reporters from stepping on
each other’s toes
 Professional news organizations want to see
prospective reporters can cover a beat

3. 1 Identify your beat – what does it include?
2 Develop sources – people who are
knowledgeable about your beat
3 Identify resources – publications, websites,
data sources
4 Use social media tools to expand your
network
5 Hunt for story ideas

4. Ask yourself:
 What does this beat encompass?
 What do I need to learn about this beat?
 Who are the major players on the beat –
faculty, administrators, students, staff, leader
s of organizations?
 What are the major issues/problems/conflicts
on your beat?

5.  Consider everyone – classmates, professors,
janitors, the baristas at the local coffeehouse
– a source
 Compile a list of potential sources, including
titles, phone numbers, email addresses
 Introduce yourself to sources – set up
appointments for coffee, drop in on
professors’ offices
 Tell people what you’re looking for – story
ideas, problems, issues, frustrations

6.  Look for publications, websites, blogs related
to your beat – follow them
 Look for data sources – police
logs, reports, audits
 Set up a Google news alert for topics related
to your beat

8.  Find and follow sources on Twitter
 Follow discussions on Twitter, Facebook &
Google+
 Don’t just lurk; ask questions, seek sources,
invite discussion

9.  Read other news outlets
 Look for changes – new businesses, new
employees, administrative changes, new
policies
 Scan bulletin boards
 Talk to people – ask what’s new, what bothers
them

10. For more information
Read The Student Newspaper
Survival Guide, Second Edition
Order a copy at
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCD
A/WileyTitle/productCd-
1444332384.html