For everyone who saw it All the president’s menFor many people, the dream of becoming a journalist or newspaper writer was a big goal. The industry has changed a lot since then and you may be wondering whether writing for newspapers is still a good career path?
It’s no secret that the Internet has changed the way people consume information.
More and more people are turning to online resources to get news, stories and information. While more and more newspapers are incorporating a digital element, there are still some that are sticking with print.
If you also include magazines, there are quite a few options.
You also need to decide what type of copy you want to write for newspapers. While journalism is the most well-known, there are also editorial, digital options, branded journalism, editorials, etc.
Let’s go through the pros and cons of entering this industry.
Is writing for newspapers still a good career path?
No matter what happens, the written word will always matter. Whether it’s used to tell stories, inform the public, or keep people informed about a particular industry, the written word will never go away.
Over time it may or may not take different forms, which is why people may still wonder whether writing for newspapers is worth it.
If you are still wondering whether writing for newspapers is a good career path, let’s take a look at the current situation and the pros and cons of such a career.
The current statistics
While it is debatable whether The New York Times still has the same reputation as it did in the past, there is no doubt that it is one of the most well-known newspapers. We will use it to analyze some of the current salaries and employment statistics.
Accordingly Glass doorThe average salary for a journalist there is currently $80,278, higher than the national average for a journalist of $52,409.
Consider that they only employ about 1,700 journalists.
Anywhere in the United States are currently 46,700 News analysts, reporters and journalists with a forecast growth increase of 6%.
However, keep in mind that not all people who write for newspapers are necessarily journalists. Some people are experts in their field and have a column, or maybe they just have an interesting story to tell and get to write for a local newspaper.
In addition to authors, there are also editors, photographers, videographers and so on. Including these jobs there are more A total of 114,000 employees.
All of this means that it’s not exactly a profession that hasn’t disappeared off the map.
Benefits of Writing for Newspapers
One of the most obvious benefits of writing for newspapers is that you can stay up to date on current events and tell important stories.
You can find and report on stories that matter either to your local community or to the world at large. This may also bring you into contact with fascinating people and give you insight into the world around you.
You can write general news or specifically report on a specific industry or niche.
If you value the prestige that comes with having your name featured in a famous newspaper, you might find the hard work you put in to get it worth it. For some people, working with major newspapers is reason enough to persevere.
Important writers can also help you get better writing jobs in the future. For example, large book publishers are more likely to award a book contract to someone with credible bylines than to an unknown author.
Disadvantages of writing for newspapers
One problem facing the industry as a whole is the decline in employment. Since 2008, employment in U.S. newsrooms has increased decreased by 26% to the Pew Research Center. The good news here is that digital-native news organizations are growing.
Countless journalists have told stories about not being able to make it on their meager incomes. This articlewhich features a story by David Rosenfelt, who was a journalist for two decades but couldn’t make it on his $45,000 annual salary.
Even if you decide to go the freelance route, you’ll often find that smaller publications pay for articles for less than $100 a piece. That doesn’t even take into account the time you have to spend sending out pitches and getting on editors’ radars to even get those submissions. (To perfect your pitch, use this template.)
Additionally, payment terms can be unclear at best. For some magazines, it can take months to not only get your article published but also paid for.
There is no doubt that it is a stressful job. You have to keep track of what’s happening, keep up with sources and often forget about work-life balance. It’s not a career that often fits into the 9-to-5 job. You often have to talk to people, meet deadlines, or write after hours and on weekends.
You may also need to complete internships and find opportunities to work for free to get your foot in the door. This is not an easy task for everyone.
The media industry is generally a turbulent industry. There are constant layoffs and large companies are buying up various newspapers. If you’re looking for a stable job where you can rely on your workload for years to come, this may not be a good choice for you.
How to get into the newspaper industry
With all that said, if you’re interested in getting into the industry, there are a few things you need to know.
At the moment, 74% of journalists have a degree in journalism. Unlike freelance writers, journalists typically have specialized training and degrees in this field. Only 4% have another degree and still work as journalists.
If you simply want to write articles for newspapers without necessarily being a journalist, you need to find a unique angle to start presenting to editors.
For example, you could become a brand journalist (also called corporate journalism or corporate media) and report on brands and companies.
The most important thing is to start building a body of work to send to editors so they can get an idea of ​​your work, your writing style, and the various topics you cover.
If you’re wondering what opportunities exist for freelance writers in 2024 (hint: there are many!), then be sure to register for the free webinar called How you can successfully get into journalism in 2024! You will learn about the different types of journalism and what you are best suited for. You will also learn what skills successful journalists need and what they can lead to.