Personal Experience and Tips on Modern Day News Collecting, Researching

Over the years, things have changed much since I started out as a poet, next a short story writer, then a journalist, later a blogger, then in recent years a ghost writer and a self-published author. 


You can only imagine the frustration I experienced over the years changing different hats and having to learn new software programs, how to upload and download, use basic HTML while discovering new ways to research for a variety of topics then using many different writing styles. 


Since 2007, I have written thousands of pages and still have much to do before I close my eyes.  So I thought wouldn't it be nice to share how journalists, writers and others use the Internet to gather their information?  Here are some tips:


1.  Search your topic using different search engines.
2.  Put your question in the search engine.
3.  Search for the person you need to interview by including things like "expert," "award-winning," "noted," "scholar" and any other title or description that best suits the person you need for your story.
4.  Google, Facebook, Linked In, Yellow and White Pages all have contact information on most individuals.  There are also websites that will provide a personal email address for a small fee. 
5.  You can ask people in your Twitter network for any additional information about your story.
6.  If you are having problems generating ideas for your topic, check out websites related to your topic.  There are sites for live chat, niche forums and comment sections on popular sites that might help.
7.  There are many websites that allow images to be used freely.  You can check Flickr and Bing for Creative Common Rights to use photos and clipart.
8.  YouTube and similar websites are great places to find people interested in speaking about many topics. (Note: Don't forget bloggers too!)
9.  You can check out informative presentations on Slideshare to help with your story.
10.  Take the time to update your status or post a question or comment to generate opinions and before long you will have many quotes for your story.


I really do enjoy how easy it is to create a news story nowadays.  But I am also concerned about how quick information is on the Internet before facts are made available.  It appears that many major news stories are mere assumptions until proven otherwise.


Nicholl McGuire


Helpful Resources for Reporters, Writers:


Reporter Tools http://cironline.org/reporter-tools


Blog News Reporter: The Tools http://graywolfseo.com/seo/blog-news-reporter-the-tools/


Journalism and Facts Directory http://universalbyline.com/


Social Media Newbies http://zombiejournalism.com/resources/

Embed YouTube Videos, Add Resource Links - Nicholl McGuire Media

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On Difficult Customers

Sometimes people express interest in writing a book, getting a slideshow created, or need other tasks completed by Nicholl McGuire Media. Some have no idea where to begin or how much things will cost when they approach us.  As a business owner or individual providing a service, you will need to share what you can do upfront and how much things might cost.  It will be up to the potential customer to make a decision on how important the service might be to them.  Dollars and cents usually determine the need for most clients.

I will tell you from personal experience, there will be some individuals who will want something but are unwilling to pay much for it.  Most businesses will not over deliver, time and money dictates this.  Sometimes Nicholl McGuire Media will have busy time periods; therefore, we have to move along to the next client especially if an individual might be acting in ways that are unreasonable or desire something for nothing, so to speak.

When it comes to challenging business relationships, it isn't always a customer not wanting to do business because of this issue or that one, but it also works the other way around as well.  Nicholl McGuire Media refuses business partnerships that show early warning signs an individual or group might be difficult to work with.  Some might include: tardiness to appointments without excuse, late payments, negative comments about pricing, bad-mouthing, requests that go beyond what is being paid for/offered, morally offensive services, negative reputation with many, etc.  

Challenging customers will always be around, but business people don't always deal with them.  We tend to treat some just like we do our toxic relatives, we bless them and move on.

Nicholl McGuire

Connect with Nicholl on Pin Interest

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When They Needed Resumes Written

He never had a resume and needed one, a student that found out he was going to be a father for the second time.  So after an hour interview and some website research, Nicholl McGuire Media helped accomplish the young man's goal.  He walked away with a great resume.  In time, it was reported that he had found a job.


Fresh out of high school and short on time to move out of his parents home, Nicholl McGuire Media created a resume for a young person with little work experience.  With the resume and an impressive interview, the worker landed not one but two jobs.

Having had various resumes over the years, it was time once again to update his resume, the professional with two children asked Nicholl McGuire Media for help.  With years of military experience and jobs in the hospitality industry, the challenge was tying everything together in a way that would help him get a job as a manager in yet another position related to travel.  One resume and two interviews later, the busy father received a job offer.

These are just a few examples of people who needed a resume and Nicholl McGuire Media delivered. In the end, besides a great resume, an exceptional sales presentation of one's worth and an inside connection also helps get the job seeker employment!