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A Note About the Term "Beat Writer"
Phoenix (ACGM) - The term "Beat" goes back over several centuries. It originated from walking a trail so often it became a beaten path. Today, it means to get your stories by going out and pounding the pavement, see the people, shake them down. Don't just recognize the pulse of the story, dwell within it. And to do this so often that you "beat" a path over the same area.
A person who is a "Beat" writer is On the beat, getting ALL of the information, day-to-day. It's not an overview, it's making the most worn paths out of the daily news.
To call yourself a "Beat Writer" or to name your column "the blah-blah ______ beat" is not just oxymoronic, very very amatuer appearing and discrediting to ArmchairGM, it also sounds stupid and will instantly discredit you from REAL beat writers.
You are writers, working a "beat"... the rest is up to YOU!
If you have to tell us "I am on the beat" then you're not doing a good job. The info provided should whomp us over the head that you're not just a fan that knows the lineup and latest rumors, you are in the THICK of it!
Would you title your piece "Word Article" or "My Team's Journalist Writings"??
I know most of us here aren't "professional" journalists, but do you WANT to be? YOU ARE doing the exact same work that these people are doing to varying degrees. Some of you aren't even aspiring journalists, but you are doing this for SOME reason - Do it WELL! Represent the 'chair with PRIDE!
How to be a beat writer Armchair can be REALLY proud of
Ever heard of Google? Technorati? Every search you can use, USE it! Find out EVERYTHING recent that has happened to your team. EVERYTHING. Dig and search and quickly you will find great sources of information. You can make the good sources favorites and chuck the bunk sites.
Find out who your team's "beat writers" are - the guys who are in the local paper usually. Research them and find if they do blogs online (I know for a fact that some MLB beat writers have logins and peruse THIS site) - these guys are inside the eyes and ears of the teams every day. They'll have the best info. Get to know them as well as you can! Meet them if it's possible.
Know how to discriminate between what people are bullshitting and what people are saying... Don't regurgitate - CREATE! If you can present info in a fresh manner, do it. If you just read it and repeat it, what's the point? Give us a link and save yourself the trouble.
Pore over your team's website. E-mail or phone the main contacts for info or to get questions answered. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! This is FREE stuff and the teams will GLADLY help you or direct you to can help you most. they have a stated interest in your queries - YOU have a voice!
Be real. Don't lie. But don't tell the whole truth either. They only need to know what they need to know. YOU are the one asking the questions, not them. And ASK questions! You're a beat writer - it's what they do. ASk if you can get phone or e-mail interviews, etc. Every question that pops in your head NEEDS to be answered - it's what your readers want to know too!
Make good contacts and don't burn strong bridges. You never know when you're going to bump into these people again - life is "funny" like that.
If you can afford the opportunity to visit the team personally, then contact your team's public relations or media department and say these words:
"Hi, my name is _________. I write for ArmchairGM.com and I would like to get press credentials for the following games: _________".
That's it. You don't have time to tell them your life story - you're a beat writer getting shit done, remember? Don't tell them anything other than "I am a writer"... if you hang out there all the time, THEY will call you a "beat writer".
If you get credentials (if I can, ANYONE can) do your work with class and dignity. Dress the part - wear ugly button down shirts and khakis and as often as possible, spill condiments on yourself. Carry a voice recording device, writing/notetaking materials/laptop and appear disheveled as possible. Act, talk and BE a professional writer - no one knows what you're getting paid - and above all, DON'T be afraid to do something else than what everyone else is doing.
Nothing makes a professional journalist more nervous than a new guy doing something creative and/or different. They like to stand in one spot as long as possible and sit even more. Make a BEAT!!!
After doing something different, WORK! Do only what you are there for... Don't jump in on the college football conversations when you're at a baseball game. Don't get stuck anywhere the story isn't. Don't ogle the babes (or the so-so chicks that enter the press box and suddenly look ten times hotter because you're stuck ina room full of middle aged slobs -a 5 isn't a ten because there's only 2's around). And then get on the 'chair and write your ass off!
Now the TOUGH part
What's your angle? That's where your title should come from.
If you're in love with the team, your writing will ooze that, so should the title. If you're critical of the team, your writing will show it, GO with it! If you're apathetic, it will come out.
Just know that no matter what angle you come from, there WILL be haters. It's not your duty to make everyone happy. People who make everyone happy are usually miserable people. Besides making everyone happy will piss SOMEONE off, too.
Do your work and sit back. Try to do something different or add a new skill every time. There is TONS of style guides and preset formats to use if you look for them. Study them, understand them and then chuck 'em and DO YOUR THING.
NOTHING is more original than being yourself. It's the easiest thing you know how to do. "Trying" to do something that you aren't will reek of suckiness.
The Number One Rule to Not Break
Other than "breaking" a story that you got from a newswire....
YOU are a writer - whether it's on the beat or from a cozy Armchair - If you get to meet players and management or see games - you are NOT a fan! You are there for your column, for your readers... not autograph collecting (tell yourself - "autographs on personal checks made out to me are the only autographs I want"). Concentrate on the story to tell, don't get caught up in schwag and junk. The players will respect you (they become your "friends" - freinds don't ask for autographs), your fellow writers will ostracize you (you are there for your readers, not theirs - they are all miserable drones with a deadline) and management won't blackball you.
Now, Go beat a path, you fantastic writers!!!!
I want ALL of you to be the awesomest writers out there. I want people to forget that ESPN has a website. I want to read YOUR awesome articles, too!
Find the stories, find the info and get it to us! Have at it!
And if you put the word "Beat" in your titles, it better have music!
Anyone else have any good tips?
We are a community - we are in this together!
