HOW TO STEAL MY JOB: Editor
Annika Allen is co-owner and editor of Flavour Magazine. A popular youth lifestyle publication that features interviews with the hottest stars from the world of music and entertainment as well as showcasing the latest fashion trends, gadgets and young entrepreneurs. Here are her top ten tips on how YOU can steal her job…
1) Network and build relationships with people
Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter have made it easier for us to connect, converse and do business with people online. However, nothing beats a good old-fashioned meeting face-to-face. Go out to events, meet up for a tea or coffee and build your contacts. Journalists, designers, accountants, business advisors and PRs are all people that you will need to be working with. Remember your network is your net worth and you’ll need people around you that you can trust and rely on to get the job done.
2) Don’t be afraid to say 'no'
You will get a lot of music artists, creative talent, PRs etc trying to get a product or person featured in your publication. You have to be honest, but in a polite way if the subject doesn’t fit, isn’t appropriate or just isn’t hot. It’s okay to say no.
3) Be organised
From creating flat plans, making editorial decisions, reviewing and editing articles to managing staff, sending and replying to emails, telephone calls, Blackberry messages and social networking sites. Whether it’s post-it notes, a checklist, white board notes or calendar; do what you need to do to keep on top of it all. You must be extremely organised.
4) Stay informed
Keep up-to-date with the latest current affairs and popular culture. Each issue has to be fresh and we pride ourselves on being trendsetters. You can’t know what the future flavour’s will be if you’re not reading, listening, attending events, speaking to people and keeping your ear to the ground.
5) Don’t keep the interviewee waiting
Always arrive at least 10 minutes before an interview. Make sure you have the address, print off a map if required and check how long it will take you to get there. Don’t be late! It’s not professional to keep the person you’re interviewing waiting. Same goes for if you’re being interviewed or having a meeting.
6) Understand your audience
Know your target audience, who they are and what they want and give it to them.
7) Don’t do it for the money
If you want to be rich then choose another career. If you care about doing something that’s fun and interesting where you get to meet people and find out new things and be creative then this is the job for you. Being an editor is hard work and is a huge responsibility but I still get excited every time we produce an issue from scratch and when I hold the printed edition.
8) Be Prepared
One of the things I love about owning my own business and being an editor is that there is no typical day. One day I could be interviewing celebrities like Trey Songz and Janet Jackson, another day briefing a designer, proofing pages or directing a photo shoot. Whatever happens, whether you need a Dictaphone, a camera, to-do-list, and always be prepared.
9) Keep learning
Knowing how to use InDesign, Quark Xpress and Photoshop is a necessity to edit articles and images for the print edition or online. Knowing how to use these tools yourself will save you the time, especially if you’re on deadline. Keep updating your skills as technology advances. You will also need an excellent grasp of the English language and your spelling and grammar will need to be on point.
10) Check, check, check
Make sure that you have a good command of the English language and make sure that you triple check your spelling and grammar.
