6 ways journalists can find story ideas

You don’t have to work in the business long to know that slow news days exist. They defiantly do, but just because your list of potential stories is slim doesn’t mean there aren’t any in your community. You just have to know where to look, who to contact and get creative.

1. Ask around

This may sound like commonsense but hear me out. Your friends, family and the general public could lead you to your next big story. These people can provide you with more eyes and ears in the community and may have run across something interesting while they were out and about. Ask your loved ones for potential stories. Crowdsource on your social media pages to get the public in on the action. These people know of organizations and scenarios that have affected them, so utilize them well.

2. Be observant

Driving down the road? Look for road closures or things that appear out of the ordinary, then ask yourself “why?” Keep your eyes peeled at all times. You never know when you may stumble across a story.

3. Contact schools, city hall and nonprofits

Journalists will find that large, local organizations tend to stay busy. School students may be working on an interesting project or covering new material. City hall may have some construction projects in the works or know about new businesses coming to the area. Nonprofits may be organizing an event that the public can participate in, like a 5k run or a canned food drive. Reach out to your local institutions and stay involved in the community.

4. Browse community boards

Perhaps you’re in a rush to find a story on the fly. Check local Facebook pages or community boards to see what organizations and people are talking about. You’ll find that the stories most people are interested in will come from what people are already talking about. If you don’t find a hard-hitting news story, you may find an interesting feature story. Don’t limit your creativity here.

5. Check out your competition

What is the other local news station covering? Because It is in your area, journalists there will also be eagerly looking for content. Don’t blatantly copy your competitions work but use it to get inspired. Your competition may provide you with a fresh, new perspective on something you already knew about.

6. Look for “annual” stories

Browse your news archives. You may find a story from exactly a year ago that is happening again, as it is an annual event. Organizations typically plan events around the same time each year, so people are aware of them and can participate.

If you keep your eyes sharp and reach out to those in the community, you are bound to find a story. Remember these easy tips the next time you find yourself in a rut. Get out there and get to reporting!

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