How to Network as a Journalist

“Get out there and talk to people. I’m not looking for Watergate. You won’t find stories sitting at your desk, staring at the computer…”

These are the words of my editor back in the late-90s when I worked as a TV investigative journalist. I haven’t shut up since. It’s great advice and answers the question in a nutshell. Building a solid network of key contacts and having a group of helpful people in our corner, is vital to success as a freelance writer. Being a chatty joiner can also lead to interview exclusives, and I’ll talk about that a bit later.

(What It Takes to Be a Freelance Journalist.)

I’ve been yapping throughout my journalism journey across two continents. I’ve developed the ability to talk to almost anyone, built a sturdy network of contacts (and friends) on the way, and interviewed hundreds of people. I also know when to stay quiet and listen, which is also a huge part of networking.

Networking for journalists involves building contacts for storytelling purposes, to help improve our craft, and to create a personal and professional support network.

‘Contacts’ can refer to:

If someone invites you out for lunch or coffee, or asks you to attend an event, go if you can. As a fulltime journalist and producer, I always found time to schmooze.

For example, when I covered international issues, I decided to attend United Nations Association meetings and started chatting with a man who told me Paul Rusesabagina (the hotelier depicted in the movie Hotel Rwanda) was coming to town. This led to an exclusive interview for our PBS station. I was also invited to Denver-Baghdad City Council meetings, which led to an in-studio interview with one of only 4 female members of the Baghdad City Council at the time.

So, you never know who you’ll meet and what you’ll discover when you mingle and start talking to people at events.

You can't just turn up at events and nurse a drink in the corner. You need to put yourself out there, ‘work the room,' and start talking to people.

As writers we tend to be introverted. It’s the nature of our work, spending hours alone tapping away at a keyboard. But unless we’re strictly writing fiction or personal essays, our work cannot be done in a vacuum. We write about the lives of other human beings after all, and this necessitates engaging with them. 

It’s relatively easy to strike up conversations, it could be a comment about the delicious hors d’oeuvres at an event or asking someone about a particularly lovely jewelry piece, “Is that Navajo?” This often leads into a friendly chat about who you are and why you’re there. Common interests are a great icebreaker, maybe a hobby, traveling, or a local sports team.

When I say talk to people, I mean initiating conversation and being friendly and engaging, not talking to the point of being overbearing or hogging a conversation. Initiate, then back away, and let others talk. Put your listening ears on, as my teachers used to say.

Show an interest in who they are and what they do. It’s astounding how many people are never asked about themselves. It seems that people are just waiting to talk rather than truly listening to another person.

Talk to people, tell them about yourself but always direct your attention back. You want to know about them, what they do, what they know.

“If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear.” - Mark Twain

My biggest tip: Just be yourself. Unless you’re acting in a play, who else can you be? This isn’t high school. I’ve never been cool. I tend to ramble, I can be a little awkward and clumsy at times, and I stick out because of my accent. When I first moved to the USA some people couldn’t even understand what I was saying. I never let it faze me. In fact, “where are you from?” is usually the first question people ask me, so it’s a great conversation starter.

Contacts can be broken up into two camps:

Depending on the nature of your work, and whether you’re a generalist or a niche writer, contacts can be divided into several categories:

The quick answer is—research.

Join professional or casual groups within your niche or in an area you’d like to cover. Not only will you meet knowledgeable people, but members may also offer story ideas.

Contacts can provide great leads. I stumbled upon a breaking news story involving military jets and police helicopter near-misses, just by calling someone a contact of mine suggested. 

Network Online

There are countless opportunities for networking online through social media platforms.

People love talking about what they know and need very little prompting. Just avoid getting embroiled in online arguments when you engage.

Meeting in person is far more advantageous than online interactions. After speaking to an editor or literary agent at an event, it’s easier to pitch an idea later and they’re much more likely to respond.

Within a writer’s group we can share success stories and failures; accept and offer advice. Who else but fellow writers truly understand our eccentricities? At a conference you’ll also learn about all aspects of writing, including the business of freelancing. You’ll meet others in the industry who can help you advance and hopefully you’ll make new writing friends.

Building a network of contacts is just the beginning; maintaining and nurturing these relationships is an ongoing process. An occasional friendly email or a quick phone call is all it takes to keep in touch. Or you can opt for a regular chat over coffee, or better yet, a lunch meeting. 

Happy schmoozing!