2. AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Story ideas
Candace Perkins Bowen
OSMA, Fall 2016
3. Nothing is
going on
here…
• Nobody has any
ideas
• We’ve covered all of
this before.
• Our town/campus
is so boring.
• Students don’t read
the paper anyway.
• Yadda yadda yadda
4. • What has made me angry lately?
• What have I been curious about?
• What am I planning to buy?
• What did my best friend just ask?
• What am I worried about?
Why not ask yourself some
questions?
5. Experts Spokespersons
Doctors
County health officials
Lawyers
Police officers
College profs
Auto mechanics
Store employees
Company
representatives
Red Cross volunteer
Even a school public
relations person
And where are the sources you need?
6. Reactive But not…
Ones who attended an
event
Ones who have used a
product
Ones who have
experienced a situation
The first five clueless
kids in the hall.
And where are the sources you need?
7. Start online – but only to
See what the pros have used
Think what comparable
sources you have
Find sources to reach online
or by phone
Look for local
professionals
Doctors, lawyers,
nutritionists, financial
counselor
Find experts at colleges
or universities
List of online experts?
Logical departments or
colleges
Where else can you go for sources?
8. Story of the Year (NSPA)
News stories
State testing
Where else can you get ideas?
Homelessness
Angry: “My sister wore my sweater, and I was really mad! But that’s not news!” But is it? How about siblings getting along, with quotes from family counselors plus “real” people.
Angry: “I had to pay adult price at the movie but I still can’t see shows rated R.” How ARE movie ratings assigned? What does your local theater choose and why? Or can they?
Curious: New construction in town, and does that equal more jobs or more traffic or….?
Curious: Don’t report rumors but do check them out. Raising the cost to park on campus? Yes, but the whole lot is being resurfaced and what does that cost?
Consumer reporting: computers (don’t get stuck with the wrong one for your major in college!), iPad, new iPhone, Kindle, used cars, etc. Conduct a consumer survey, a good way to see how readers spend money, a great article with infographics plus something to use to attract advertisers. But don’t just ask kids what they think. Get the facts from mechanics, colleges and what they tell students for computers, etc.
Best friend: “What are you wearing to Prom?” That could be an article on the cost of Prom dresses compared to last year, the possibility of vintage dresses or a nearby resale shop that specializes in formal wear or a non-profit that runs a special “low cost” Prom dress sale.
Worried about: college costs (Are they really higher? What did the change in college loans REALLY mean? What are the advantages of going to a community college for two years? Then what does it take to transfer?); car insurance (Is there a way to avoid paying SUPER high rates, especially if you are a teen male? How can you cut costs based on the type of car you drive? What companies give breaks to those with high grades?)