Becoming a news analyst requires a combination of knowledge, research, self-promotion, networking skills, and luck. Starting young, earning a journalism degree, gaining experience as a reporter, blogging, and networking are key steps. Success is not guaranteed, but the rewards can be significant.
It is no easy task to become a news analyst. This position, one of the most in-demand careers in journalism, is not one you’ll typically see advertised in classified ads or trade magazines. In effect, the news analyst is a professional expert, a person whose views on trends, issues, politics, and breaking news are considered insightful and authoritative. Landing this position requires a combination of knowledge, extensive research, self-promotion, excellent networking skills, and more than a little luck.
If it is your fervent desire to become a news analyst, you must first understand that the chances of getting big recognition are extremely slim. Just as very few high school athletes make it in the professional leagues, very few news analysts progress beyond the local paper or personal blog. Still, if you have the passion, dedication, and talent to pursue this career, great rewards can be reaped that aren’t necessarily monetary in nature.
There are several paths you should take if you want to become a news analyst. The first is to start young. While earning a degree in journalism is no longer a mandatory step in becoming a news analyst, having these credentials will give you a step ahead of the competition. Your first goal should be to get a job as a reporter, both in print and in journalism. The reason for this is that nearly all news analysts are drawn from the existing talent pool in a news organization.
Simultaneously, as you hone your skills as a reporter and gain the necessary experience, you’ll want to focus on blogging and networking. A personal blog dedicated to news analysis can, over time, develop a loyal following. The greater the number of regular readers, the greater the chances that you will be noticed by a major news organization or distribution company. Strive to be different from the pack by imbuing your analysis with thoughtful commentary that educates, informs, and entertains.
Coinciding with your full-time job as a reporter and your unpaid part-time job as a blogger should come networking. This must be a daily occurrence. Submit copies or videos of your work to editors, publishers, television and radio executives, and all relevant news sites. Again, while you probably won’t get paid, if any of these outlets reprint or rebroadcast your work, you will be exposed. This in turn can lead to more readers and subscribers.
Do not include your networking tactics in mail or on the Internet. You should attend as many journalism conferences as possible. Try to find and impress the top management executives who are in attendance. Research the specialties of the executives you want to target and engage them in conversations that demonstrate your expertise in their core area of expertise.
Following this strategy does not guarantee that you will become a news analyst for a large network or website. This ensures that you will acquire vast amounts of knowledge and that you will likely develop a following that is uniquely your own. Adding your voice to public discourse is no small thing, and for many people, it’s more than enough.
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