NewsWorks to host Correspondents U. in February

 

Thanks to many of you, NewsWorks.org has gotten off to a great start. And our freelance correspondent team has been a big part of that.

In Northwest Philadelphia, freelance writers, videographers and photographers have helped us be on top of school rallies, development protests, neighborhood festivals, crimes and much more since launching the website in November of 2010.

Several talented freelancers have worked their way into more regular gigs blogging for the site.

Now, NewsWorks wants to dig even deeper into Northwest Philly issues, even as it expands its local news efforts. We are about to launch a new mini site for New Jersey news, and are looking to recruit correspondents for other parts of Philadelphia and its suburbs.

That’s why we’re holding what we call Correspondents U. on two dates in early February at WHYY. What is Correspondents U.? A three-hour skill-building, question-answering session with experienced NewsWorks journalists as the trainers. We’ll review how we cover the news the NewsWorks way, with NewsWorks staff giving you tips on reporting, news writing, photography, videography and social media.

It’s a chance for those of you who are already doing assignments for NewsWorks to improve your craft or expand your skill sets to other forms of media. Or, for newcomers, it’s a thorough introduction to the opportunities at NewsWorks, our procedures and standards, and the skills you need to succeed.

The sessions are free, and we’ll feed you.

We’re offering the program on a weeknight and a weekend morning. You choose which one works better with your schedule.

Here are the dates:

Thursday, Feb. 2 – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4 – 9 a.m. to Noon

Each session will start off with a 30-minute intro (invoice policies/procedures, how to pitch, how to represent yourself as a NewsWorks freelancer… etc.) followed by 45-minute breakout workshops in news writing & reporting, audio, photography and videography. You’ll have your choice of attending three of the four workshops offered.

To sign up, RSVP to Tara Henderson at tray@whyy.org or 215-351-1689 by Monday, Jan. 23. Tell us your name, phone number, email address, and the day you’d prefer to attend. Put “Correspondents U.” in the subject line of the email.

Feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone in the news business who might be interested. Also, if you have a suggested topic you’d like us to discuss, please send a note to mpinto@whyy.org.

We look forward to seeing you in February.