Nardene Scott moved into journalism via… wait for it… Urban Development (whoop whoop).She has since then become Senior Staff Writer at RWD Magazine as well as contributing to MTV Wrap Up and interviewing artists such as Nas, Diplo, Lil B, Wiley, James Blake and Chase & Status. Here are her top ten tips to being a journalist… 

1. Read! Read! Read!

There’s no way you can spend your days writing without reading everything you come across, there’s not a day where I’m without a few magazines in my bag.

2. Take A Risk

Before I decided to move into journalism I was in a good job at a good PR company and decided to leave in order to pursue journalism so if there’s an opportunity however small, go for it.

3. Eye On The Underground

From radio shows to clicking on just about everything on Twitter, and getting out and about it’s key to keep your eye on the next big thing.

4. No Ones Too Big

My first interview with RWD was with Dennis Ferrer, a household name in the house scene and my first ever interview full stop (year’s back) was with Joe so no one is ever too big. Aim high!

5. Ask Anything

It’s always good to ask a random question, even if you think it’s the most ridiculous question ever who knows where it could lead.

6. Be Professional

Whether this refers to deadlines or responding to emails make sure you keep things profesh!

7. Contacts Book

It’s a small industry so use your contacts at every opportunity, every reach out will see you enter another circle, branching out into all sorts of fields.

8. Experience

Before I even finished university, I had already finished at least six work placements across TV, PR, magazines and a record company and even then I was still stuck on which area of the media I wanted to work in so getting experience is key.

9. Feedback

Always get feedback, everyone gets into silly writing habits and without someone telling you about it you’re never going to know.

10. Pitch

Don’t be afraid to pitch to magazines and websites for features, most magazines are interested in getting a different tone of voice in their magazine so contributing to magazines and working on a freelance basis could be an option, it’s not all about being in-house.

www.twitter.com/Nardenescott