Comments on: Adding Value

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:49:07 +0000

Re: Nadine-
Could explain what you mean by submitting stories with “heads, decks, and subheads”? I am a new writer and am not familiar with those terms. Thank you for your help! I have worked as an assistant for years and used to get frustrated when my boss would substantially change my drafts, until someone explained that even if they do, I’ve helped them greatly simply by giving them a jump start, rather than starting from scratch.

By: Nadine Goff

Nadine Goff — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:57:38 +0000

Some of the editors I work with ask me to submit my stories with heads, decks, and subheads. Even though they usually change them (sometimes substantially), the editors tell me my suggestions give them a jumping off point and help them speed up their own thinking about these items. I also write many of the preliminary drafts of the photo captions that accompany my stories.

By: Melanie Brooks

Melanie Brooks — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:09:14 +0000

As an editor I always appreciate it when my writers make sure to send me contact information for getting photos. This way I can give my photographer a name and number of someone to call to set up a shoot. It’s easier than having us guess who the appropriate person would be.

It’s also great when a writer send along a side bar. Sometimes we use it and sometimes we don’t, but when we’re in a pinch space wise it’s nice to have something on hand we can use that is of value.

By: Claire Richmond

Claire Richmond — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:42:11 +0000

Re access to the best experts, findaTVexpert.com is packed to the rafters with them and it’s a free service for members of the media looking for experts to comment on a subject or be part of a show – ie TV, Radio, Print, etc.

findaTVexpert isn’t an agent and doesn’t get involved with fees, contracts, negotiations, etc. If the expert has what you want you call them (or their agent if they have one). It’s as simple as that – and it’s working. Members of the media are registering and experts are being booked for screentests, TV, Radio & Print interviews, etc.

Having spent 15 years making and developing TV programmes in the UK, I felt this was a service the experts needed and the industry wanted.

By: Marcia Layton Turner

Marcia Layton Turner — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:30:20 +0000

Great post, Diana! You always make such great observations.

One other way I try and add value is by offering to request/gather images for editors. This is more relevant when I’m working on a profile, for example, but it takes me an extra 30 seconds to request photos and you’d be amazed at how many editors truly appreciate my taking that responsibility off their hands.

By: Jennifer Roland

Jennifer Roland — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:32:13 +0000

Great post. It really highlights the importance of specialization as an important selling point. The more you write on a topic, the more insight you have, the more experts you know, and the faster you can write a good article.

Writers, make sure you pick a niche you like! You can shift to new specialties, but it will take time to build your expertise to the same level.