Lekan Otufodunrin writes on how experienced journalists can maximise expertise by getting paid or acknowledged for what they know.
As a media career development specialist, one thing I can plead guilty of is that I pay attention (maybe too much) to spotting opportunities I think journalists and other professionals should learn how to take advantage of.
In theses days when there are so many experienced journalists not having much to do or get paid for their experience and skills, I am always quick to see opportunities others, who most times don’t have as much experience as veterans on the job, are maximizing.
Recently, I clicked to read a link on Twitter about tips for journalists covering elections in Nigeria ahead of the general election.
What immediately struck me was that the story published on an international journalists organization website was based on five years of covering elections by the writer.
Five years is a long time in the career of a journalist, but I know so many journalists who have more than twenty years of election coverage experience who have not written a word about it.
In the build-up to the general elections, it may not have occurred to the senior journalists that their experience is worth sharing and getting paid for it or being known for their wealth of knowledge.
Can we blame the journalist with five years of experience for being able to pitch to an international organization to share his experience for a fee? Definitely No.
I was recently invited to speak on election reporting in a media house based on all the noise I have been making about being a media trainer and asking for opportunities to share my experience. After the training, I thought of ways of adding value to what I spoke about and ensuring my that my suggestions were taken seriously. I came up with a checklist on effective election coverage.
I got a good cheque for my presentation based on my experience in covering elections dating back to 1990s.
I have also written books based on my experience which continue to be in high demand among professionals and media training institutions. One of them is a compilation of my Facebook posts on media career development issues like this post.
My point here is that experienced journalists have no one to blame but themselves if they don’t get paid for what they know.
It is not enough to have experience which we can brag about, there is a need to find where to share them and get rewarded for our years of labour in the profession.
Some people or organizations may want your expertise for free, offer it if it will give you some visibility and worth your time.
Some free services I have rendered have opened doors for paid opportunities. What is crucial is to be very strategic about how you utilize your expertise.
Getting known for what we know is much easier in the present digital age. There are online platforms to share our thoughts and insights. When those who need experts on the issues we are knowledgeable about search online from any part of the world, they must be able to find us through the search engines.
Open a free blog and keep uploading necessary content, have an active Twitter handle, share more knowledge posts on Facebook and see what can happen to your profile.
I testify that leaving The Nation to be on my own has not substantially reduced the patronage I get from those who need my expertise.
In fact, now I have more time to attend to the many requests and think of more media career concepts that can enhance my profile as a media career development specialist.
We must also not be tired of searching for opportunities globally to share our expertise.
Your expertise may well be needed outside the country and you have to let the world know.
We must know what it takes to pitch for freelance opportunities like the one the journalist with five years of experience took advantage of.
I just hope some readers are not getting tired of all these my ‘it is possible’ claims in the midst of seeming lack of opportunities?