Holly Edgell’s Post

It has been extremely hot and it’s only going to get hotter.☀️ Every time I experience these temperatures, I'm reminded of my humble beginnings in Yuma, AZ. I was a young and eager reporter when I started my career as an anchor and multimedia journalist, aka MMJ. I would run around all day in temperatures above 110°, carrying 40 to 50 pounds of equipment, conducting interviews, editing, and producing my own stories. Then somehow, I had to pull it all together to present my story live for the 5 and 6 o'clock newscast.🎥📺 It was exhausting. In this photo, I'm smiling, but there were so many conflicting thoughts running through my head, including, "Will I make it through the summer?" and "What the hell have I done with my life? How did I end up here?" True story: the bottom of my shoes would melt whenever I would stand outside for a long time. RIP to many pairs of shoes that were lost during my time in Yuma. Thankfully, I survived two brutal summers in Arizona, only to find myself heading to McAllen, Texas, which had a different kind of heat. But that's a story for another day.☀️☀️☀️ Stay cool and hydrated, everyone! #Throwback #ArizonaSummers #MMJLife #StayCool #SacramentoHeat #waybackwhen #publicrelations #PR #communications #relacionespublicas #PR #socialmedia #contentproducer #digitalmedia #videoproducer #publicinformationofficer #pio #publicinformationoffice

Learning to “take your ego out of the equation,” being generous with your time and being willing to help others are a few ways to become an effective newsroom manager. Here are a few more tips on how to do so, via The Fix Media: https://buff.ly/47JohlB

⭐5 Things Journalists Actually Want:⭐ After 12+ years as a national TV reporter, here’s what journalists REALLY want when you pitch them: 1️⃣ A societal trend your brand taps into. 2️⃣ An exclusive angle—something no one else has. 3️⃣ A concise pitch (no novels, please). 4️⃣ Real people or data to back up your story. 5️⃣ Timeliness—strike while the news cycle’s hot. PR isn’t rocket science, but it is an art. And like all art, it’s best left to professionals 😉 #PR #Publicrelations #pitching #stories #media #earnedmedia

🎬 Calling all aspiring entertainment media pros! 🎤✨ Ready to level up your journalism career? Whether you're looking for guidance on landing press junkets, event coverage, or nailing your biggest interview yet—I’m here to help! 📧 Email: [email protected] #JournalismTips #MediaCareer #PressJunket #EntertainmentIndustry #LevelUpYourCareer #VisionaryMinds #TammyReeseMedia #FYP #ExplorePage

I loved this post from a newly retired veteran journalist. Thank you, Jane, for sharing your perspectives and wisdom! Some great advice: —Remember you are your biggest champion. While the boss may say they “have your back” — recognize that just doesn’t make sense. Their loyalty is ultimately to the business that pays their salary, not to you. This isn’t really a journalism thing, it’s just life. —If you’re a retired journalist, stop complaining about “the good old days” and help find a way forward for journalism in today’s reality. Be helpful and empathetic. Listen. Mentor a young journalist at your local media organization or through Report for America. —Pay attention to researchers who study and care about the future of journalism. Continue learning about your profession by reading their work. Attend high-quality conferences and webinars. —Acknowledge the problems in journalism education. We need to refresh the skills of educators whose knowledge of the industry is decades old, and burn the ancient syllabi and journalism course catalogs that have no connection to today’s media world.

Well, that is complicated, if you have not been a journalist. First, you have ask yourself, do we have a good story to tell? Will our product or service benefit many people? And are we on solid moral grounds? If so, proceed to Step Two. Second, is our story newsworthy? Does it have a new wrinkle? Are we different from our competition? Third, why should the average Joe or Jane care? If you can answer those three questions, you have a good start. #journalist #pr

Change happens quickly in information-intensive fields like communication, public relations, marketing, journalism, and social media. A Rutgers Master of Communication and Media puts you at the forefront of change so you can advance your career options. Learn more: https://ow.ly/rUOk50S4tux

Tip of the day: If you’re trying to get media coverage, there are two secret times during the day you need to know. 🤫 They happen *twice a day* on weekdays in almost every newsroom. It’s when you’ll have your best shot to get a pitch to a news outlet either ✅ or 🚫. They’re the daily news meetings. And they happen like clockwork. 🕥 When reporters, editors, producers, assignment editors, managers, photographers, digital media staff, interns and other newsroom staff gather to decide what will be in the newspaper, the newscasts, and the homepage. You want your pitch to be mentioned in those meetings. 🤞 Generally, they start between: ➡️ *9a-10a* for dayside shift ➡️ *1:30p-2:30p* for nightside shift So, if you want to be considered for that day’s news coverage, you need to get your pitches sent in time for those meetings. Of course, there are exceptions. And this is where building relationships with journalists is key. Now you know the secret times of the M-F news meetings. What have you pitched lately to help keep your community informed? #journalism #mediatraining #storypitching (📸 Isabel Epstein)

As a former journo, I couldn't agree more. My experience as a reporter has caught the eye of former hiring managers far more than some of my more relevant design experience. As a reporter, you know how to be resourceful and find answers independently. Further, reporters intake and retell information for their audience to digest more easily. Is that not what a designer's job is? To take an abstract idea and make it consumable to the masses? Also, you will never have an awkward silence at team meetings if you hire a storyteller. #design #journalism #storytelling

I'm leaning into LOCAL. Did you ever consider that the writers, editors, reporters, layout team, and production staff employed by local media are your neighbors? As such, their interests are aligned with your own, seeking to report on meaningful news that will inform your everyday. When connecting the dots between community members --> journalists, magic happens. Local news media is...your news media. And, they depend on your support. If you don't already, please consider subscribing to your local papers (digital or print) and follow their social channels. This effort will help to keep local media strong. ❤️ #journalismmatters #journalism #PR #news