One of the most challenging things about reporting in a city like Washington is finding new ways to tell a story that’s already been covered by major news outlets. Looking for ways to differentiate your work can be tough.
As a student, you’re unlikely to get the exclusives that often come from being with a major network or a national newspaper or a hot-shot online outfit.
However, it’s not impossible to find your storytelling niche when it comes to covering an ongoing event. Here are some tips on telling cool stories, despite your inexperience:
Hang out
Don’t just show up when the action happens.
My beat was Youth and Politics this quarter. Fortunately, for me at least, Occupy DC arrived around the same time I started reporting. Lucky break, right? Still, I needed to find a way to cover something that other journalists were already doing daily stories on. I decided to hang out where the protesters were —and I hung out a lot. I went to McPherson Square even when there wasn’t a march or any other kind of action going on. I even went on the weekends.
Eventually, I got some pretty good ideas from just being in the area and observing. I did a story on how homeless people were interacting with the protesters , the people who took over a park many had called. That idea came solely from talking to people.
Be personable
Let’s be clear: you shouldn’t be buddy-buddy with the people you’re reporting on. Keep a respectful distance. It doesn’t hurt to be nice, though.
Yes, it’s important to get the story and sometimes that requires asking tough questions, but being courteous about it softens the blow.
It’s also good to remember names. People like that. They’ll be more apt to talk to you more than once if they feel like you’re not just using them for a story. See the subjects of your story as people. They may even give you tips if they see you often enough.
Pay attention
This should go without saying, but paying attention is important whether working on an enterprise story or a daily piece. Always be on alert when you’re on the scene. Often you can get the edge just by noticing what others don’t.
One example from my reporting this fall was when legendary activist Dick Gregory addressed Occupy protesters during a standoff with police. Most media didn’t even mention that he was in the park. I stuck close to him once I found out that he was there and eventually got to ask him a few questions, things worth exploring for a historical piece on protesting. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity had I not been paying attention. Gregory ended up not being necessary for the story I was working on that day, but it was cool aside that didn’t make it into most stories about the incident.
Consider the obvious
News stories highlight events that are out of the ordinary by nature, but sometimes what’s obvious can also make a compelling story. When you’re reporting on a long-term event it can be easy to ignore things that seem obvious. Try to stay fresh.
If you notice a lack of or abundance something at the event, explore the why behind it even if the answer is clear. If you see something that’s interesting and no one else has taken that angle, go for it. You might get a great story out of it.