This Friday marks my last day at the Hays Free Press. After more than three years, I’m headed off to a new adventure. Reflecting back over my tenure, it’s been a great ride with plenty of ups and downs.
My career was in media relations and communications. Or as many call it, the dark side. Then again, the fourth estate can also be considered the dark side to some.
I started at the HFP in 2011 writing stories as a freelancer (for no pay). I moved into a paid cub reporter spot, despite being nearly 40 years old. Covering the city of Kyle, the Hays CISD and more was eye opening.
Later I slid over into the Features Editor spot where I stayed until the editor at the time left. In May 2013, I was bumped up to Editor where I’ve been ever since.
Yes, I cover education but this jump has been a learning experience all its own. Each day is different, interesting, exciting and fun. Someone pays me to write – it doesn’t get any better than that, my friends.
But along the way, I’ve learned a few lessons – I want to share some of those with our readers.
Not every news release is newsworthy. Attention all public relations pros: follow this rule of thumb – if you find it interesting, it’s advertising. If the editorial staff finds it interesting, it’s news.
Every town should embrace its local newspaper. Residents should want a thriving, robust news organization that acts as a watchdog, shining a light on things that some politicians and other leaders may want kept in the dark.
If a community newspaper doesn’t have local advertising dollars, it can’t report on sports, business, schools or any other news. Support your local newspaper! Trust me, the money doesn’t all go to salaries. But it does pay rent, utilities and printing costs.
When something bad happens in the community (e.g., death, embezzlement, tax evasion), don’t blame the newspaper. We just report the news, we don’t make it happen.
Way too many people comment on stories without reading anything but the headline. Do yourselves a favor – become avid readers and educate yourself on issues before interjecting your opinions into the conversation. What’s that saying? Opinions are like [bleep] holes, everyone has one.
‘The paper’ does not have an agenda beyond providing quality news reporting that is accurate, timely and useful. Do we screw up? Sure. But we apologize and make it right when we do.
No one at this organization is ‘out to get’ anyone. Period.
Media relations takes skill. Anyone can put out a press release (see #1 above). But it’s the top-notch media relations person who understands what the newspaper needs and when. (Side note, Hays CISD has an excellent public information officer. He gets it.)
In this job, building relationships was my most important task. I think I did it well. I now hope to build those same kinds of mutually beneficial and respectful relationships from the other (dark) side.
Think you have an interesting story? Share it! Send a note to news@haysfreepress.com and include your name, contact information, summary of the topic and any visuals you already have. If it’s an upcoming event, include pertinent details such as date, time, ticket cost, location, etc.
I can’t leave this job without thanking my boss and publisher, Cyndy Slovak-Barton. She took a chance on me and stuck with me all this time. I learned a lot from this hard-working media lady – I’ll take those lessons, and I hope a friendship, with me when I go.
And to my colleagues, thank you. I’ve always felt welcomed and appreciated. What’s that BS line about no I in teamwork? So true. We have scrambled and pulled out hair and just about strangled each other, yet each week we work together to put out a solid newspaper. Heck, we even won awards along the way.
And to the faithful readers of the HFP, you make it all worthwhile.Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.
