I've been watching NASCAR for a few years now, after many years watching Formula 1. Not actually watching, more like having it on to accompany whatever I'm doing - on TV you miss the speed and sounds of a real race. I once had a taste of stock-car racing when I volunteered at the Edmonton Indy, and thought the thunderous sound of a V-8 pushrod engine at 9500 RPM was AMAZING.
So I'm planning to see a race - in Bristol, Tennessee ...
< Previous
The Idea strikes me... |
|
Top
........................................ |
|
Next >
Preparations |
| 2012.May |
But First, a Little Homework |
Comment
|
Before approaching any media you have to realize one thing: media people are busy people - they have to turn out a product every single day made from the random and not-so-random torrent of news and noise, information and idiocy, big and small, with people yelling for their attention all the way through.
So don't yell - everyone else is - be the reasonable, prepared, voice of reason that stands out in their day. At least that's what I'm going to do.
This requires a little work first though, to introduce myself and establish some credentials, and have something to offer. Even though I've written for 30 years almost and have published things here and there I'm not a writer by trade, and definitely not one that's known in any media circles. My e-mail to the appropriate people is going to pile into an Inbox full of other unknowns with ideas good and bad (I'm going to guess mostly the latter) so mine needs to stand out for at least being earnest and prepared.
I put myself in the seat of the reader, and figure he or she is going to want to know these three things:
- Who is this Guy?
My Résumé can answer this question, and this project was a good reason to take care of a long-standing ToDo item to give it a refresh and update.
- What Does He Want?
I'm going on this trip one way or another: either as a tourist or a reporter of some sort - I don't need the money or a trip subsidy. However, I'd like to put some more published writing on my Résumé, and get a Press Pass for more access, maybe even get an interview with a driver or two. Should be pretty easy to arrange if there's interest in the material: somebody calls somebody, and I go to the Press window when I get there.
- Can He Do It?
My past writing experience, and this blog, ought to demonstrate what I can do with words.
Questions is: Will anyone be interested? I'm approaching the Sports, Travel, and Entertainment editors - there's an angle for each of them. |
| |
| 2012.05.16 |
First Contact: the Edmonton Journal |
Comment
|
The Edmonton Journal is a sentimental favourite: growing up it was "the newspaper." It's still a regular feature of the daily clutter of my parents' and my homes. My best friend has written for them for a pile of years, I don't remember, but decades-ish.
So I'll try them first. I have an e-mail made up, just waiting for the right moment to push the button and send it off!
2012.05.17, just after 1pm: pushed the button. |
| |
| 2012.05.24 |
Second Contact: The Edmonton SUN |
Comment
|
The Edmonton SUN is the racing-friendly paper - they have a full-time writer, Dean McNulty, covering all the major racing news for the Sun Media chain, including Canadian content like Canadian drivers in the big circuits and NASCAR Canada .
So I'll try them next. I have an e-mail made up, just waiting for the right moment to push the button and send it off!
2012.05.28 before noon: pushed the button. |
| |
| 2012.06.01 |
Nil for Two Media |
Comment
|
No word from The Journal or SUN. Not sure if any of them even looked at my resume or this blog; maybe I'll look at my logs again later. I shouldn't be surprised by the Journal - they only have wire content anyway. Maybe the SUN guy wants the gig to himself.
So, Tourist it is! I need to book a flight and tickets sooner than later. I'll ponder some other media to approach though. |
| |
< Previous
The Idea strikes me... |
|
Top
........................................ |
|
Next >
Preparations |
|