One of the most difficult things about being a managing editor is finding ways to motivate your staff when you struggle finding ways to motivate yourself.
At our last editor's meeting, I had the brilliant idea to buy Panera sandwiches for everyone in hopes that the harshness they were about to encounter would be drowned by the taste of fresh baked bread and deli meats.
When I say harshness, I mean for possibly the first time, I shared some of my disappointments in previous work. Of course, I stuck with my sandwich theme in the way I presented the critiques, sticking them inbetween unbelievably encouraging compliments and praise. I think between food, and inflated egos, the criticisms were almost unheard altogether.
Every editor, as well as my advertising manager, recieved assignments to be completed over the weekend and sent to me by Monday. Now it's only noon, but I have recieved one e-mail, from one editor, with one completed assignment. Only 11 to go. I really hope our sandwich meeting worked and I get everything I need for today.
The difficulties we're facing are mostly due to the fact that we fell just a smidgen behind in our second issue. Now that we've come out with our 3rd (ontime, with hardly any mistakes, and looking REALLY snazzy if I may say) I think we need to try to get back ahead of the game. The hard part is transitioning from a state of catching up to a state of being ahead. There's quite a jump to be made there and I have faith that my amazing staff this year can do it. They just need to really focus and buckle down for a couple of weeks and I know we'll be better off in the long run.
One last note before I end what seems like just a pointless rant;
As the end of my first semester as Editor-In-Chief rapidly approaches, I must already start looking towards the distant future. I may possibly be losing my Arts & Entertainment Editor for next semester, so I need to start looking for a replacement for that position immediately. Also, since I'll hopefully be transferring to Columbia College of Chicago next fall, I'd like to have my replacement working right alongside me next semester like I did last semester with our previous editor Mimi. If the Harbinger accomplishes all the goals we've set out to meet this year then we're really going to need someone sepctacular to fill my shoes next year. So, if you or anyone you know is interested...send them my way, won't you?
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Serious Business
There are some major things happening right now.
I haven't yet had the chance to post about my wonderful learning experience at the Illinois Community College Journalism Association Fall 2009 Conference. But, let me just say, it could not have come at a better time.
Among a plethora of sessions from "Taking Better Pictures", to "Designing Better Pages", my staff and I sat in on some mind-blowing lectures.
One that came of particular use to me was a session entitled simply, "Ethics Primer", given by Professor Terri Johnson of the EIU Journalism Department. The session was small (only 6 students) and simple (a basic outline of what to do and where to look for help), but upon returning to school, has been some of the most pertinent information I've received to date.
Early Sunday morning, I was awoken by repeated phone calls and texts from a certain extra-enthused staff writer. He informed me there had been a shooting the night before at WoodView Commons, our student apartment complex adjacent to our main campus. The college had been giving their best attempt at keeping the story from getting out but after a call made to an advisor, or two, to make absolutely certain I wasn't breaking any laws, I posted an informative, well-organized piece on what had happened. And it was the 4th accessible story on the web. Did I happen to mention we were the only source (including professional media outlets in the area) to have a picture and resident quote?
:D
So...let's slow it down for anyone actually trying to learn from this experience.
The first thing I did was make sure I had one of my men on the scene talking to students and figuring out exactly what happened. My wonderful News Editor, whom I had called just before, called me back with numbers for our Campus Safety and Security and two different Police Departments who might have reported to the scene. After being nearly hung up on by the East Peoria Police Department, I took a chance and looked up the number to Tazewell County Sheriff's Department (the county our school is in). 15 minutes later I had a quote confirming that there was indeed an incident and that Tazewell County had received a call for assistance, and set their men to the scene. Shortly after, I got a call from my on-scene man with a quote from the student who had actually made the first call to Campus Safety and Security confirming the more intricate details of what had happened, including the fact that shots had been fired. Lastly, I received a photo (from a source who wishes to remain anonymous) showing a trail of blood on the sidewalk with a WoodView Commons sign in the background and the actual apartment complex in the distance.
This is where my ethics session comes into use....so pay attention.
In a rush to get any information up, I nearly published a story without a reliable source to confirm anything. Thankfully, I took the time to take a breath and realized I needed more. Once I had my credible source confirmation in the form of a Sergeant at Tazwood County and a quote from a resident confirming the shots, I thought I was within my legal rights. I made a quick call to two of my advisors to let them know what information I had and was about to post and after gaining their approval, decided to post the picture as well. Although I can't attribute it immediately, I can prove who I received it from and when and they are willing to take responsibility for it. Plus I knew since everything was cleaned before any other pictures were taken, I had a duty to release it to the public. And it doesn't hurt that it gives my story such hard hitting imagery to go along with the intensity of the situation.
Since we've had discussions in class about the appropriate length of a blog I feel I'm reaching my limit on this one. But check back soon for more info on the story as things progress and a more detailed look at my conference experiences.
P.S. Our next publication date is just two weeks away so there will be tons of info on new changes as well. I hope I don't over-blog you. :)
I haven't yet had the chance to post about my wonderful learning experience at the Illinois Community College Journalism Association Fall 2009 Conference. But, let me just say, it could not have come at a better time.
Among a plethora of sessions from "Taking Better Pictures", to "Designing Better Pages", my staff and I sat in on some mind-blowing lectures.
One that came of particular use to me was a session entitled simply, "Ethics Primer", given by Professor Terri Johnson of the EIU Journalism Department. The session was small (only 6 students) and simple (a basic outline of what to do and where to look for help), but upon returning to school, has been some of the most pertinent information I've received to date.
Early Sunday morning, I was awoken by repeated phone calls and texts from a certain extra-enthused staff writer. He informed me there had been a shooting the night before at WoodView Commons, our student apartment complex adjacent to our main campus. The college had been giving their best attempt at keeping the story from getting out but after a call made to an advisor, or two, to make absolutely certain I wasn't breaking any laws, I posted an informative, well-organized piece on what had happened. And it was the 4th accessible story on the web. Did I happen to mention we were the only source (including professional media outlets in the area) to have a picture and resident quote?
:D
So...let's slow it down for anyone actually trying to learn from this experience.
The first thing I did was make sure I had one of my men on the scene talking to students and figuring out exactly what happened. My wonderful News Editor, whom I had called just before, called me back with numbers for our Campus Safety and Security and two different Police Departments who might have reported to the scene. After being nearly hung up on by the East Peoria Police Department, I took a chance and looked up the number to Tazewell County Sheriff's Department (the county our school is in). 15 minutes later I had a quote confirming that there was indeed an incident and that Tazewell County had received a call for assistance, and set their men to the scene. Shortly after, I got a call from my on-scene man with a quote from the student who had actually made the first call to Campus Safety and Security confirming the more intricate details of what had happened, including the fact that shots had been fired. Lastly, I received a photo (from a source who wishes to remain anonymous) showing a trail of blood on the sidewalk with a WoodView Commons sign in the background and the actual apartment complex in the distance.
This is where my ethics session comes into use....so pay attention.
In a rush to get any information up, I nearly published a story without a reliable source to confirm anything. Thankfully, I took the time to take a breath and realized I needed more. Once I had my credible source confirmation in the form of a Sergeant at Tazwood County and a quote from a resident confirming the shots, I thought I was within my legal rights. I made a quick call to two of my advisors to let them know what information I had and was about to post and after gaining their approval, decided to post the picture as well. Although I can't attribute it immediately, I can prove who I received it from and when and they are willing to take responsibility for it. Plus I knew since everything was cleaned before any other pictures were taken, I had a duty to release it to the public. And it doesn't hurt that it gives my story such hard hitting imagery to go along with the intensity of the situation.
Since we've had discussions in class about the appropriate length of a blog I feel I'm reaching my limit on this one. But check back soon for more info on the story as things progress and a more detailed look at my conference experiences.
P.S. Our next publication date is just two weeks away so there will be tons of info on new changes as well. I hope I don't over-blog you. :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I realize it's been a week since my last update. But the wait is worth it. Our first issue is out. Just a hint for all you editors using Adobe InDesign: CS4 Documents are not compatible with the CS3 program. I had to learn that the hard way. After a too late night on Wednesday, I was forced to leave school (after arriving 3 hours early) and go back home (forcing me to miss an english conference with my professor) to get the PDF file to the printer on time.
After all that, the paper was printed and delivered on Friday...only an entire 3 days earlier than we needed it- publication date was September 21, 2009.
But alas, the in-print edition was done. All that was left was transferring all that new content onto our website. I had included plenty of references to the new site in the in-print edition so I knew everything had to be done by Monday.
Saturday rolls around and I wreck my car. Correction: Some lady driving way too fast wrecked my car as I tried to make a U-turn on my way to dinner for Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) with my boyfriend. Long story short: 9 inches of intrusion including damage to my driver's seat and Josh and I walk out of it without a scratch. Medical attention was still suggested though because of the extent of the impact.
After a 4 hour hospital visit, including a CAT Scan that tells them for sure nothing is wrong on the inside, I am released.
Needless to say, Sunday was a very busy day. After the 3 hour drive back from Chicago (yes, it actually does take 3 hours to drive from Chicago to Peoria when you do the speed limit) it took me until 11 p.m. to get everything up on the site....but FINALLY...
THE WEBSITE IS UP:
www.iccHarbinger.com
Now the content is still somewhat sparse, since we've only had one issue. But there are already fun differences. For example, we get to include a lot more pictures on the site. And there's already a weather component and an opinion poll.
There's some minor formatting adjustments to be made as well, but overall, I'm really happy with the outcome.
Lastly, the first meeting of the ICC Underground was held yesterday. And it looks like big news for the Harbinger. More on that later.
After all that, the paper was printed and delivered on Friday...only an entire 3 days earlier than we needed it- publication date was September 21, 2009.
But alas, the in-print edition was done. All that was left was transferring all that new content onto our website. I had included plenty of references to the new site in the in-print edition so I knew everything had to be done by Monday.
Saturday rolls around and I wreck my car. Correction: Some lady driving way too fast wrecked my car as I tried to make a U-turn on my way to dinner for Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) with my boyfriend. Long story short: 9 inches of intrusion including damage to my driver's seat and Josh and I walk out of it without a scratch. Medical attention was still suggested though because of the extent of the impact.
After a 4 hour hospital visit, including a CAT Scan that tells them for sure nothing is wrong on the inside, I am released.
Needless to say, Sunday was a very busy day. After the 3 hour drive back from Chicago (yes, it actually does take 3 hours to drive from Chicago to Peoria when you do the speed limit) it took me until 11 p.m. to get everything up on the site....but FINALLY...
THE WEBSITE IS UP:
www.iccHarbinger.com
Now the content is still somewhat sparse, since we've only had one issue. But there are already fun differences. For example, we get to include a lot more pictures on the site. And there's already a weather component and an opinion poll.
There's some minor formatting adjustments to be made as well, but overall, I'm really happy with the outcome.
Lastly, the first meeting of the ICC Underground was held yesterday. And it looks like big news for the Harbinger. More on that later.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Here we go...
Layout meetings tonight and tomorrow. Content is starting to be posted on the website. Look out world...
Friday, September 11, 2009
Quick Update
End of deadline night article count: 8
I know it sounds low...but it's actually more than I expected. If my editors can whip out 8 articles this fast, I know that by the time the paper goes to the printer, it will will be full.
Possibility of articles up on our website as soon as TOMORROW...
There will be a full blog soon to follow describing the process. I hope you're all looking forward to it as much as I am.
time for some editing!
I know it sounds low...but it's actually more than I expected. If my editors can whip out 8 articles this fast, I know that by the time the paper goes to the printer, it will will be full.
Possibility of articles up on our website as soon as TOMORROW...
There will be a full blog soon to follow describing the process. I hope you're all looking forward to it as much as I am.
time for some editing!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
My New Personal Deadlines
In hopes that if I write them somewhere...it will force me to stick to them.
- I'm asking for first drafts of stories by tomorrow.
- I'm editing them over the weekend.
- I'm asking for final drafts of everything by Monday.
- Website ready for viewing by Tuesday (this includes a mysterious advertising campaign using strategically placed fliers).
- Final layout for our first issue will be sent to the printer by Thursday.
- First issue out September 21st.
The Great Shift
There are over 200,000,000 blogs out there in cyberspace. Just what exactly will set this one apart?
It is not news that a shift in media has begun. Today in class we watched a video about the influences of social media outlets. The video introduces the watcher to tons of hard hitting facts. One of these facts just happened to be that 24 of the 25 largest newspapers are experiencing record declines in circulation.
What does all this mean to a college student who happens to be majoring in journalism and has recently been put in charge of her own college newspaper?
In short, this blog will allow you to follow the struggles I face learning how to run a newspaper, and my attempt to find my place in the fading world of in-print media.
We are putting our paper online this year, in hopes of staying slightly ahead of the curve on the roller-coaster ride into the new age of media outlets. I'm not a web designer. By any means. But I am largely a product of my generation, and I know the internet.
So with the help of some great advisors, and super motivated editors, I hope to lead you in the search to find what comes next for world of news. Keep checking back for daily struggles.
It is not news that a shift in media has begun. Today in class we watched a video about the influences of social media outlets. The video introduces the watcher to tons of hard hitting facts. One of these facts just happened to be that 24 of the 25 largest newspapers are experiencing record declines in circulation.
What does all this mean to a college student who happens to be majoring in journalism and has recently been put in charge of her own college newspaper?
In short, this blog will allow you to follow the struggles I face learning how to run a newspaper, and my attempt to find my place in the fading world of in-print media.
We are putting our paper online this year, in hopes of staying slightly ahead of the curve on the roller-coaster ride into the new age of media outlets. I'm not a web designer. By any means. But I am largely a product of my generation, and I know the internet.
So with the help of some great advisors, and super motivated editors, I hope to lead you in the search to find what comes next for world of news. Keep checking back for daily struggles.
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