Learn how to create and grow your journalistic brand that showcases your unique voice, values, and expertise. Find your niche, define your values, develop your voice, and more.

The biggest mistake I see journalists making is not sharing their work when it gets published. Once upon a time that was not part of the job description, but now it is a crucial part of the job. If you aren't willing to share what you have to say, why are you even saying it? Having your own audience is necessary for getting work.

You want to be a journalist with a strong brand. How can you build it?

Journalism is a competitive and dynamic field that requires more than just good writing and reporting skills. To stand out from the crowd and attract loyal readers, you need to build a strong brand that showcases your unique voice, values, and expertise. But how can you do that in a way that is authentic, consistent, and engaging? Here are some tips to help you create and grow your journalistic brand.

1 Find your niche

One of the first steps to building a strong brand is to identify your niche, or the specific topic, angle, or audience that you want to focus on. Your niche should reflect your passion, knowledge, and experience, as well as the needs and interests of your target market. By finding your niche, you can establish yourself as an authority, differentiate yourself from other journalists, and attract loyal followers who trust your insights and opinions.

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Maggie Kimberl

Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine
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It's important to define your niche as the thing that only you can report on in the way you do. In a sea of generalists, be a specialist. Look for a category in which you have an interest and ask yourself what you personally can add to the conversation that others can't. That's your niche.

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2 Define your values

Another key element of your brand is your values, or the principles and beliefs that guide your work and influence your decisions. Your values should be clear, consistent, and aligned with your niche and your audience. By defining your values, you can communicate your purpose, vision, and mission, as well as your ethical standards and professional practices. Your values also help you to create a rapport with your readers, who share or respect your values and appreciate your honesty and integrity.

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Maggie Kimberl

Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine
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The single most important thing to define here is whether you are a journalist or an influencer. Plenty of people do both, but it's exceedingly difficult to do both well. Which one feels like the right fit to you?

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Lorena de Bessières

Advocacia Empresarial de Alto Padrão | Consultoria | Contratos Comerciais Sob Medida | Segurança Jurídica | Mitigação Estratégica de Riscos
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Como diz o velho ditado romano, "não basta ser a mulher de Cesar, é preciso parecer a mulher de Cesar". O ideal é que o jornalista (ou a organização jornalística, seja editora, jornal etc) tenha um Código de Ética estruturado, elaborado por um advogado especialista. Não conheço uma forma mais eficaz de demonstrar seus valores, sua moral, os princípios e crenças que regem o seu trabalho.

Translated

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3 Develop your voice

Your voice is the way you express yourself through your words, tone, and style. Your voice should be distinctive, recognizable, and appropriate for your niche and your audience. Your voice should also reflect your personality, values, and perspective, as well as your goals and objectives. By developing your voice, you can create a unique identity, convey your message effectively, and connect with your readers emotionally and intellectually.

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Maggie Kimberl

Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine
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It's hard to define your voice when you are first getting started because you are afraid that people won't want to hear what you have to say. I can assure you that there is always someone out there who will value your perspective. Be authentic.

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4 Showcase your work

Your work is the evidence of your brand, so you need to showcase it in a way that is attractive, accessible, and relevant. You need to have a portfolio, or a collection of your best and most recent work, that demonstrates your skills, achievements, and impact. You also need to have a platform, or a medium or channel where you publish or distribute your work, that reaches your audience and meets their preferences and expectations. By showcasing your work, you can display your value, quality, and credibility, as well as your creativity and innovation.

Add your perspective

Maggie Kimberl

Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine
Report contribution
The biggest mistake I see journalists making is not sharing their work when it gets published. Once upon a time that was not part of the job description, but now it is a crucial part of the job. If you aren't willing to share what you have to say, why are you even saying it? Having your own audience is necessary for getting work.

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5 Engage your audience

Your audience is the core of your brand, so you need to engage them in a way that is meaningful, interactive, and rewarding. You need to listen to your audience, or understand their needs, interests, and feedback, and respond to them accordingly. You also need to interact with your audience, or communicate with them directly or indirectly, and encourage them to participate in your work. By engaging your audience, you can build a relationship, loyalty, and trust, as well as a community and a network.

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6 Adapt to change

The last tip to building a strong brand is to adapt to change, or the constant and inevitable shifts and trends in the journalism industry and the wider world. You need to keep learning, or update your knowledge and skills, and explore new opportunities and challenges. You also need to keep evolving, or refine your brand, work, and audience, and experiment with new ideas and approaches. By adapting to change, you can stay relevant, competitive, and successful, as well as grow and improve your brand.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You want to be a journalist with a strong brand. How can you build it?

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1 Find your niche

2 Define your values

3 Develop your voice

4 Showcase your work

5 Engage your audience

6 Adapt to change

7 Here’s what else to consider

Journalism

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