5 secret skills from journalist that you can use every day

Alright, these skills might not be a total secret.

But if you don’t know anything about journalism, these tips can really help you think like a savvy reporter.

1. Ask the right questions

Google should be your best friend. It’s dumbfounding how much information I’ve been able to find about potential sources/former coworkers/past crushes through a surface level Google search. This preliminary research helps you develop a background knowledge about whatever it is you want to know.

That way, instead of asking, “What college did you go to and what did you study?” You look more prepared saying, “I saw you went to Auburn and studied business. How did your college experience shape your career path?”

You can ask infinitely better questions when you do the grunt work up front.

Plus, it helps you jump right into the meat of a conversation. Beyond reporting, this also works splendidly for job interviews and dates.

2. Shut up and listen

For most people, this is the hardest skill to master but easiest to practice.

Learn to get comfortable with silence. Why? Pauses and silence makes people uncomfortable. We try to fill gaps in conversation and scramble to not seem awkward. But if you can learn to let those pauses linger, people will tell you things you’d otherwise miss.

It’s easy to practice this in your own life. Next time you’re talking to a friend/co-worker/family member, start to wait before speaking after they make a declarative statement. Soften your face and look at them kindly, but DO NOT SPEAK. Without talking, you’re inviting them to tell you more.

This tip will make you a better listener, and you’ll be able to get more information out of someone if you’re seeking deeper answers from them.

3. Hone your bullshit detector

My 11th grade American Lit teacher put it best when talking about the biggest theme from The Great Gatsby: “People suck.”

Then she started at us for a few seconds (using tip #2!). She repeated herself. “People suck!”

People will lie to you. They will say things are untrue or don’t make sense.

To effectively hone your bullshit radar, you need a healthy dose of skepticism going into whatever conversation you’re having. You need to be armed with research, and it’s always good to have identified a pre-established pattern or history for whatever you’re talking about.

Then, when they start saying stuff that doesn’t add up, you can bring in your research as back up to ask follow up questions. Information is power!

4. Identify the “So what? Who cares?” factor

Whenever you’re delivering any kind of message–whether that’s writing a story, sending an email, making a presentation, trying to get your way–you need to know what makes whoever you’re talking to tick.

Some people only care about money. Some only care about ego and prestige. Some people just want a damn break.

Lead with however YOU SPECIFICALLY can help this individual get whatever they want.

Answering “So what? Who cares?” always helped me during my reporting because I had to identify what people would actually stop to read. I had to know my audience, which leads us to the last tip.

5. Create for audience

When you’re making something–filming a video, writing an article, developing a presentation–you need to create with the intention of being seen. This will help you develop whatever project you’re pursuing because you’re making it with other people in mind.

Now, the tricky part with this piece is you actually have to be creating something… but that’s a newsletter for another time.