While I am a big fan of bloggers like Adam Westbrook, I must admit I have a few questions over this whole idea of journalists as entrepreneurs.
I love Adam’s side of the argument – while old school hacks are patronising younger journalists for daring to enter the profession at a time when newspapers are downsizing, he tells them they haven’t got a clue, and that the internet presents an amazing opportunity for innovative writers and reporters.
By teaching yourself a few things, you can become the editor of your own newsletter, blog or website and make a living that way instead of waiting to be promoted up a career ladder that’s so competitive it’s untrue and that may not even exist in a few years time. Sounds amazing – but how on earth do you get started?
We can’t all come up with TechCrunch, we’re not all Hermione Way, and yes, there are lots of blogs that make the writers a living – but not everyone will be able to do that. And isn’t it also getting harder to have a great idea without borrowing strongly from other bloggers or websites?
Adam’s other suggestions include producing profitable newsletters or becoming a “go-to” expert in a particular niche. But, like a successful blog, this all takes time to build up. How do you make a living while you’re building your reputation, and what if you invest huge amounts of time and effort and it doesn’t work out? Do you basically need rich parents, or a husband or wife who is willing and able to support you until your business takes off?
These questions are the kind that business entrepreneurs have obviously been tackling forever, and I expect there’s an argument of “just do it – if you’re good, you’ll succeed.” But the qualities and skills that make a good entrepreneur are not necessarily those needed to be a good journalist. And while you’re busy writing business plans, finding investors and collaborators and building some kind of brand, you’re not doing what you set out to do, which I’m assuming is to report on worthwhile stories or cover an area you’re passionate about.
And what about those writers who aren’t entrepreneurial but who are still great journalists? Or those who aren’t lucky enough to find themselves occupying a ready-made niche that they are perfect to fill? Does anyone have any ideas about who the big employers of the future will be?
I have a fairly traditional news background – I got a diploma from Cardiff and trained for two years on a daily regional. I used to think my ultimate ambition was to write for the nationals but now I’m not so sure. The problem is, I’m not sure what the other options will be either. I’ve done nothing but reporting and writing for ten years – I just don’t feel equipped to say “Guardian shmardian, I’m going to get me a Wordpress! In your face Roy Greenslade!”
I don’t expect Adam or anyone else who writes about this to answer these questions, and I’m sure his archives would throw up plenty of useful information anyway. But I do think it’s worth recognising that it *is* quite tough for younger journalists at the moment and surely the answer can’t always be to set out on your own.
For those who are able to, building your own site or product is a dream come true. But there are plenty who, for whatever reason, don’t have the skills, the time, the money or the confidence. There’s so much advice on what we, as journalists, should be doing – we really need practical help, some indication of how we go about doing it. And if taking the plunge into entrepreneurial journalism doesn’t work, what are the options then?
Image via Valeriana Solaris's Flickr