Advice for Young Journalists: 100 Silly & Serious Tweets Sharing Words of Wisdom Posted by College Media Matters on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 · Leave a Comment

The hashtag #AdviceforYoungJournalists exploded like a thunderbolt on the Twitterverse last night and trended out of the blue worldwide. Thousands upon thousands of 140-character words of wisdom were unleashed in rapid succession.

Some of the advice tweets are deliciously snarky. Others contain straightforward and uber-significant tips. And still others are cringeworthy cynical or genuinely strange. Collectively, they are tweet-plated gold for student journos and fresh grads looking to break into the media game.

Below are 100 #AdviceforYoungJournalists tweets that caught my eye, made me laugh out loud or triggered a vigorous head nod. I present them in no particular order, purposefully shooting for a mix of funny, on-point and slightly out there.

(Any that I should add to the list?)

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Read voraciously. Build community. Earn our trust. Tweet your beat. Learn to code. Be a skeptic. Show your work. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Alex Howard (@digiphile) February 10, 2015

Don't let the jaded, cynical or downright mean deflate your dreams. Read everything. Say yes. Your time will come #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Eva Chen (@evachen212) February 10, 2015

you haven’t really Googled your subject unless you read to at least p.10 of the search results. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Maryn McKenna (@marynmck) February 10, 2015

Know the difference: their, there, they're your, you're to, too, two except, accept capital, Capitol no, know #AdviceForYoungJournalists — KillerBunnyFooFoo (@PolitiBunny) February 10, 2015

Knock on my door at your own peril. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Francis J. Underwood (@RepUnderwoodSC) February 10, 2015

Tell the stories that matter to you. Be clear about your own biases and assumptions. Question them at every turn. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Report. Really report. Insert new bits of information into the world. — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 10, 2015

Tell stories that aren't being heard. Amplify unheard voices. "Go to where the silence is" – Amy Goodman. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

If you want to generate a ton of quick interaction with your readers in the comments, just misspell something. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) February 9, 2015

When offered food or coffee, take it. You may not get another chance. Take one for the road. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Ben Kuchera (@BenKuchera) February 10, 2015

Four stages of writing via @TomJunod: 1) I'm sh*t. 2) I'm a genius. 3) I'm sh*t. 4) I survived. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Dan Reimold (@collegemedia) February 10, 2015

Read. Read everything. Read fiction, non-fiction, essays, academic papers. It will ALL be useful someday. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

Real #AdviceForYoungJournalists: Dream jobs change. Dreams change. The industry changes. Learn to live with that. — P. Kim Bui (@kimbui) February 10, 2015

Make friends who are not journalists. Else your twitter feed will be unbearable. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Russ Pitts (@russpitts) February 10, 2015

Create journalism every day. Write or record something – even something small – every single day. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

When it comes to looking for a job be unafraid. Email folks, network, go up to managers and talk to them. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — John Ketchum (@Ketchcast) February 9, 2015

Learn everything about a specific, important subject. Blog about it relentlessly til your voice is indispensable #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Josh Constine (@JoshConstine) February 9, 2015

#AdviceforYoungJournalists Expect to have a few days — no, weeks (well, actually, YEARS) — like this: pic.twitter.com/MeMJUbJUXU — Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) February 9, 2015

Do not, repeat DO NOT screw over your sources for a story. That kind of dipwaddery gives us all a bad name. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

#AdviceforYoungJournalists Very few get rich working in journalism believe or not. It can be a long struggle. So don't do it for the money — Antwan V. Staley (@blackredsoxfan) February 9, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists be you. Fiercely & uncompromisingly you — Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) February 10, 2015

Don't write for free. You become the girl they date but won't marry. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Ralph Amsden IV (@ralphamsden) February 9, 2015

OK, srsly, no snark: #AdviceforYoungJournalists Work at a small weekly where you have to do EVERYTHING. Cover cops. You'll learn a lot. — ginavergel (@ginavergel7) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists if you see Kevin Spacey in the DC Metro drop everything and run — a wizard (@chillmage) February 9, 2015

Should you ask open-ended questions? Yes. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Dan Reimold (@collegemedia) February 10, 2015

This profession shouldn’t be about fame & glory. If that’s why you’re getting into it, don’t. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Amy Simons (@amysimons) February 10, 2015

by law, sources cannot lie. to save valuable reporting time, trust everything they say at face value #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Chris Ziegler (@zpower) February 9, 2015

#AdviceforYoungJournalists Don't do it unless you love it. Full stop. — Nicole Lee (@nicole) February 9, 2015

For god's sake, learn basic digital security. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists in college, join your student media orgs. It's real, it's raw; it helps your community and opens doors for you. — Matt Dulin (@mattdulin) February 10, 2015

Two types of #journalism students: Those who want a grade and those who want a career. Be the latter. #AdviceForYoungJournalists #loweclass — Herbert Lowe (@herbertlowe) February 10, 2015

If I had any #AdviceForYoungJournalists, it would be: study time before the age of 24 hr media & go back to real, investigative reporting. — Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva) February 10, 2015

If you aren't interested in it when you read it…trust no one else will be either. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Skyy Hook (@SkyyhookRadio) February 10, 2015

A pyramid inverted against itself cannot stand #AdviceForYoungJournalists — M. Edward Borasky (@znmeb) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Overprepare, or you might have to ask the governor of Georgia 1/2 thru an interview if you can borrow his pen. — Jennifer Brett (@JenBrettAJC) February 10, 2015

#AdviceforYoungJournalists If you want to do sports. Learn the game and just don't rely on looks to get you by. They won't last forever — Antwan V. Staley (@blackredsoxfan) February 9, 2015

Don't give your personal phone number to the PRs. They can be so agro about new apps YOUR AUDIENCE WOULD LOVE!!! #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Lauren O'Neil (@laurenonizzle) February 10, 2015

“All the good looking people are in advertising. You know that, right?” #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Tim Goodman (@BastardMachine) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Africa is not a country. — Oni Joseph Poetician (@OniJoseph) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Radical idea. Giving it out for free. Ready? Cuz NO ONE covers this! Three words: Missing. White. Women. — STEVE HUFF (@SteveHuff) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Repeating your questions because you didn't get an answer annoys your guests. Be kind so they return. — Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Look around and see what stories you can tell that nobody else can. — Evan Barnes (@evan_b) February 10, 2015

From a journalism professor: "Have a glass a wine, have a glass of beer, calm your sh*t down." #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Dan Reimold (@collegemedia) February 10, 2015

Develop a skill, find a beat or take an approach no one else is trying. Do it well. Hope people love it. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) February 10, 2015

#AdviceforYoungJournalists read a shit ton of books and learn proper grammar, not lolspeak — chuckpee (@chuckpee) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists If something is common sense and was settled years ago, make sure you call it a "debate". Much more interesting. — Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) February 10, 2015

Never communicate with a source via electronic media. Don’t take a phone to the underground garage. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Jeff Waugh (@jdub) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists "Terrible tragedy" is much worse than tragedy, so don't leave room for doubt. — Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) February 10, 2015

If someone accuses you of churnalism, punch them in the face. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Steve O'Hear (@sohear) February 10, 2015

Do what everyone else does and write about the Kardashians. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — HaterBoyJR (@HaterBoyJR) February 10, 2015

Don't take selfies at crime scenes. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Dan Reimold (@collegemedia) February 10, 2015

Follow the crowd? Become replaceable. Be courageous. Suffer the attacks. Kick ass. Get scalps. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) February 10, 2015

Don't ignore the narrative, unless the facts get in the way of the narrative. Then kill the narrative. #integrity #adviceforyoungjournalists — The Golf Sandbox (@GolfSandbox) February 10, 2015

Your editor is a fool / a tool / agenda-obsessed / and/or the proprietor's lackey … lap it up or leave. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Charles (@constantchange1) February 10, 2015

If you get bored, the comment section on stories online will keep you busy or at least entertained for a while. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Jessica Domel (@JessicaDomel) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists: Shut up and listen. Always. — John Doyle (@MisterJohnDoyle) February 10, 2015

Complain about season 5 of The Wire a lot. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Daniel Holloway (@gdanielholloway) February 10, 2015

Always get confirmation before reporting that someone has died/been elected/resigned etc. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Marnie Johnston (@marnie_johnston) February 10, 2015

Reach out to people in the field. Find a mentor. Learn from them. You'd be surprised how many are willing to help #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Adam Beard (@ABeezy_15) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Always take the buyout. — Bill Shapiro (@Bill_Shapiro) February 10, 2015

Learn how to localize national stories. People always want to know how big things will impact them. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Krishana Davis (@KrishanaDavis) February 10, 2015

If you're not asking questions that make you uncomfortable, you're probably not asking the right questions. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Kevin Robbins (@kdrobbins) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists You will learn a lot more by joining your college paper than you will in class. — Anthony O'Reilly (@ORiled_Up) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Ask "Why?" until the answers run dry. Ask "How?" until the answers become clear. — Lita Smith-Mines (@LitaTweets) February 10, 2015

Look at old city directories, court records, property records, more. There's a lot of info that's not digital. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Keith Roysdon (@keithroysdon) February 10, 2015

Your editor knows that "I'm just finishing it up now" means you haven't written a word. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — a. o. scott (@aoscott) February 10, 2015

Put your name and phone number on the covers of your notebooks. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Dan Zak (@MrDanZak) February 10, 2015

Try to make at least one open records request a week. And try to never quote an anonymous source. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Brandon Stahl (@b_stahl) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists A smile goes a long way with hostile sources. pic.twitter.com/Cvy0lRUhFw — Nick Hirshon (@nickhirshon) February 10, 2015

An important one no matter how long you've been in the biz: accept criticism and edits. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Nicole Riva (@NicoleRiva) February 10, 2015

You're probably going to need a selfie stick. Don't fight it. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Jonathan Ore (@Jon_Ore) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Most older journalists have their jobs because they were born before you, not because they are more talented. — Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) February 10, 2015

Remember to push the "record" button (yes, really) #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Holly Kolman (@mobileholly) February 10, 2015

Advice for young journalists: pic.twitter.com/A7ROIYYUre — Warren Kinsella (@kinsellawarren) February 9, 2015

When stringing HS football & coach goes "I hate your fucking paper," it's cool. He says that to all the dorks. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Daniel Holloway (@gdanielholloway) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists To those of you with broad vocabularies, remember that less is more. Most readers won't be checking for big words — Jay Scott Smith (@JayScottSmith) February 10, 2015

If your mother says she loves you, always get the dog's name. Or something. I flunked J-school. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Daniel Burke (@BurkeCNN) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists learn to hold good conversations with people. — fkaVianca (@vianwi_) February 10, 2015

Split your day 90 per cent research, 10 per cent writing. Do the former and the latter takes care of itself #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Randy Shore (@theGreenManblog) February 10, 2015

When everyone has access to the same information, identify what can make you stand out, a must-read, and be that #AdviceForYoungJournalists — CarlJDubois (@CarlJDubois) February 10, 2015

Don't be afraid of numbers. If you can bring data into your writing, you'll always be a step ahead. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Krishana Davis (@KrishanaDavis) February 10, 2015

If you intend to become a Broadcast Journalist.Write as you would Speak.Print & Broadcast writing very different. #AdviceforYoungJournalists — Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) February 10, 2015

If interviewee starts each response with: "Absolutely" your questions are too soft. #AdviceForYoungJournalists #AdviceForOldJournalists — Hootville (@Hootville) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists watch/read/listen to your work even after it's printed/broadcasted. Critique urself & set new goals. Get better — Faith Abubéy (@ReporterFaith) February 10, 2015

You never understand a person until you consider things from their view! #AdviceForYoungJournalists #UniteBlue pic.twitter.com/O16rdIg1Tp — Sara Spector (@Miriam2626) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists each day is a new day. New story, new chance to improve. Don't beat yourself up when a story doesn't turnout well — Phil Reed (@Indeed_PhilReed) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Try this novel trick, youngin's: who, what, why, where, when and how, minus the editorializing. — TheRightPlanet.com (@therightplanet1) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists Learn balance of reporting & being intrusive. You may get to other side, but you might have burned the bridge. — Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) February 10, 2015

Don't burn popcorn in the office. Nobody likes that person. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Raju Woodward (@RWoodward12) February 10, 2015

“@Diane_7A: Punctuation matters! #AdviceForYoungJournalists pic.twitter.com/7egw2osP6p” If you are a shooter learn how to spell! Sentences too! — SUNTomBraid (@SUNTomBraid) February 10, 2015

If you're explaining a story to a friend, what's the first thing you tell them? That's your lead. #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Mike Rosenberg (@RosenbergMerc) February 10, 2015

Objectivity and balance aren't always the same thing #AdviceForYoungJournalists — Ian McGibboney (@ianyourhead) February 10, 2015

#AdviceForYoungJournalists NEVER, EVER argue with the comments left on your articles. You can't please everyone…. http://t.co/RLJxn99sjF — Alina Bradford (@alinabradford) February 10, 2015