So I’ve been added to the press list for the South Africa Idols production. In general, this is a very cool thing - I get to go to the shows, shmooze with the contestants, crew and press afterwards, and attend press conferences.
Unfortunately, I don’t know the first thing about being a “member” of the press. It’s difficult for me, because I feel like a complete outside. One, I’m the only American, so every time I open my mouth to say something, heads turn. Two, I’m just a nobody amateur. Where everyone else can say, “Hi, John Doe from Everyday Herald” I say, “Uh… I’m Julie.” I’m not affiliated with any publication, press organization… nothing. I’m just a no-name blogger who asked the right people for the right opportunities. And invariably, someone will ask me “So, which paper are you with?” And I’ll stammer, and try to explain.
I’ve made a lot of strides in self-confidence and comfort in social situations over the past year or so, but I still struggle a little bit. Especially when the room is full of professionals, and they’re all staring at me while I ask my question. I have to sit down the night before each conference and come up with a list of questions that might be applicable (the main press conference is after the results show, so I have to think of them without knowing who I’ll be asking). All in all though I think I ask fairly decent questions, and have even seen some of them show up in other reporters’ write-ups.
I just feel like an aquarium guppy suddenly trying to survive the ocean. If I had the first clue of what I was doing, it probably wouldn’t be so bad. But this is the first thing I’ve done even remotely related to the media.
I don’t even know the etiquette for using other reporter’s questions in my write-ups. In reading other articles, it seems the general method is just “When asked “XYZ question”, Jane Doe replied…” without any mention of who asked what. So I’ve been following suit. Hopefully that’s the right thing to do.
I keep telling myself that I need to network the hell out of these people. I’ve come to realize that, unfamiliarity aside, I really, really enjoy doing this. I have a semi-decent readership building up, the people with the show treat me as if I am just another reporter, instead of the nobody-with-a-blog, and once I start feeling comfortable, I have no real problems talking with the other press. I could definitely see myself doing this for a living. But I haven’t got the first idea of how I go about “networking” people, or how I turn this into actual paying opportunities - especially with no official experience.
Sorry for the ramble. I guess my point is, if anyone has any advice on how I do any of this, it would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and as an example of just how idiotic I am about this stuff, one very nice guy asked me, “When are you filing?” First thing I thought (but luckily didn’t say out loud), “Are my nails in bad shape?”
Oy.
).