Q. I've worked at a trade pub for a year and a half. The audience is doctors, but the writing style is that of a daily newspaper. Before this job, I was a features reporter at a mid-sized daily for two years, and a business newswire reporter for four years.
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I took my current job because I wanted to write about health and medicine, and I figured I'd get a good education in the topic. I have. Now, however, I find myself wanting to go back to non-trade journalism, and I'm not sure how to do it. The job market being what it is, I'm guessing I should look to Web gigs, but I don't have much experience writing for the Web. The higher-ups (non-journos) at my current job won't allow us to have blogs or do real-time postings because they want to pre-approve everything we publish.
My question: How do I get the kind of online chops I need to land a job writing about health for an MSM or consumer site?
Many thanks for your service,
Healthy AmbitionA. Don't despair. You have not strayed that far off the path, and you have gained some valuable skills.
There are some important differences between writing for print and writing for the Web. But the difference is no more extreme than the difference between writing for a newspaper and writing for a trade publication. You'll be able to make the transition and editors will realize this.
Although practice is not essential, it would be helpful. Try to sell your bosses on an online publication. And don't fret if they want it to be edited before it is posted. I am grateful for the editing I get.
Coming Tuesday: She has landed a dream internship at an alt weekly and wants to make a good impression. She wonders what to wear in an office where everyone else seems to dress so casually.
