Ten years ago, when I was a footloose and fancy-free 50-year-old, I started dating younger men. One day I received a flattering message from a man who looked like a male model. He was gorgeous. I couldn’t believe he was interested in me. We started messaging each other and eventually the conversation turned to meeting up. I was beyond excited. But every time I tried to pin him down, he would come … [Read more...] about How can you fall in love with your audience if you can’t see them clearly?
self-promotion
Three elements of a compelling story
“For the majority of my life, I felt deeply uncomfortable and confused in my own body. I starved and abused my body in many destructive ways – all because I felt that I wasn’t good enough or beautiful enough…” These are the words of photographer Alice Joiner (above), who for five years suffered from a mental illness that manifested as a serious eating disorder. In service of her art and her … [Read more...] about Three elements of a compelling story
How to stop fitting in and start doing your own thing
Most people who knew me when I was a rock journalist in the 80s would probably agree that I stood out. There weren’t that many women working for the music papers at that time – and certainly not women who wore bespoke black and red latex dresses accessorised with six-inch stilettos. But despite my maverick beginnings, as I gained experience as a journalist I gradually became more sensible and … [Read more...] about How to stop fitting in and start doing your own thing
How I successfully pitched a story idea to The Guardian
As I’ve written here before, I’m a strange beast: a journalist who doesn’t find self-promotion easy. But I realise I have to get over myself, not only because I need to market my services but also because I've started teaching creatives how to tell captivating stories that will hook the attention of the media. So it's unfair of me to ask them to do something I don’t want to do myself. At least … [Read more...] about How I successfully pitched a story idea to The Guardian
I’m a journalist. So why do I find it so hard to promote myself?
I should be able to do this. I’m a journalist. I’ve been a journalist for nearly 40 years, for God’s sake. I know how the game is played; I’ve been on the receiving end of countless pitches and worked with many PRs in different industry sectors. So why do I find it so hard promote myself? Even though I know what works and what doesn’t work? I know how to write. I’m also a public speaking … [Read more...] about I’m a journalist. So why do I find it so hard to promote myself?