(Music) Journalist
First things first and in case you didn't know...
A music journalist is a writer who specialises in writing about music. They may work freelance as bloggers or vloggers, or for media outlets such as newspapers and online magazines, i.e NME and Rolling Stone. Their work typically includes reviews, interviews, industry news, opinion pieces, and feature articles.
Either way, they listen to A LOT of music, and they go to A LOT of live music performances; so if music is your absolute thing, read on…
Key skills/talents
These skills are key for standing out as a top-tier music journalist in the world’s highly competitive media landscape:
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Deep Knowledge of Music: A strong foundation in music theory, history, and genres is essential.
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Excellent Writing Skills: Clear, concise, and engaging writing is crucial for captivating audiences.
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Confidence: To be able to approach, talk to and interview, potentially big music stars
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Strong Interviewing Techniques: The ability to extract insightful quotes and stories from artists and industry professionals.
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Adaptability: The music industry is constantly evolving. Staying updated with trends and new artists is vital.
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Networking Skills: Building relationships with artists, publicists, and industry figures is essential for securing interviews and access.
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Digital Literacy: Proficiency in digital tools for content creation, publishing, and social media is a must.
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Critical Thinking: The ability to analyse music, performances, and trends critically and objectively.
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Time Management: Juggling deadlines, interviews, and research requires effective time management.
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Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respecting diverse musical cultures and traditions is essential.
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Passion for Music: A genuine love for music is the driving force behind a successful music journalist's career.
Qualifications required
If you want to write, we’re going to start-off by saying you have some decent skills in it already… I.e. English GCSE and A-Levels were obvious go-to's for you.
While a degree in journalism is a solid foundation for a career in music journalism, many universities now offer specialised programs that combine journalism with music. These courses provide in-depth training in music theory, history, and industry practices, along with honing essential journalistic skills.
Many universities also allow final-year students to specialise in niche areas like music photography, providing opportunities to build a unique, but complimentary portfolio.
For those with a musical background, a degree in music can be a great starting point. A deep understanding of music theory, arrangements, and sound engineering can enhance your ability to communicate effectively with artists and their fans. However, it's important to complement this knowledge with strong journalistic skills.
Several UK universities offer excellent programs in music journalism and/or music business related work, here are just a few examples:
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University of East London: https://www.uel.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/ba-hons-music-journalism
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University of Chester - https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/course-search/music-journalism-ba-hons-single-honours
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Birmingham City University: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/music-business-ba-hons-2024-25
Additionally, universities like Brighton and Northampton offer combined degrees in music and journalism:
https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/music-business-and-media-ba-hons.aspx
https://www.northampton.ac.uk/courses/multimedia-journalism-ba-hons
And, here is the UCAS link for journalism courses, as well: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/all?query=journalism
Beyond formal education, practical experience is utterly invaluable in the media industry. Internships at music magazines, websites, or radio stations can offer invaluable insights into the industry.
When choosing a university, consider its location. Being in or near a vibrant music scene can provide opportunities for networking and hands-on experience. Remember, the connections you make during your studies can be invaluable in launching your career.
While a degree can be a stepping stone, building a personal brand and understanding business fundamentals is increasingly important, especially for freelancers. Skills like marketing, accounting, and networking can be as valuable as formal qualifications.
Rules and regs
There are a lot of regulations that any form of journalist working within the UK must adhere to. Below are links to information relating to a few:
IPSO: https://www.ipso.co.uk/editors-code-of-practice
National Union of Journalists gives a code of conduct here: https://www.nuj.org.uk/about-us/rules-and-guidance/code-of-conduct.html
To be a journalist in the UK, you need to register with the British Association of Journalists, so that you can receive a Press Card: https://bajunion.org.uk/uk-press-card-and-royal-parks-news-permit
Professional Indemnity Insurance is needed and many places offer this type of insurance. Below are links to a couple of examples:
https://www.caunceohara.co.uk/freelancers/journalism-broadcasting
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/insurance/journalists
Remuneration framework
The average salary for a journalist in the UK is said to be around £35k, but there are many factors that can affect a journalist's salary, including:
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Type of work: News journalists tend to earn more than music journalists, for example, purely because end consumption is so much greater.
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Location: Journalists in London earn more than those outside the capital, with an average salary of £45,547.
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Type of employer: Journalists working for larger, more established companies tend to earn more than those working for smaller, local outlets.
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Experience: Entry-level journalists may earn less than more experienced journalists.
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Type of journalistic role: Broadcast journalists may earn more than other types of journalists.
Other factors that can affect a journalist's salary include:
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Multimedia skills: Some say that multimedia skills are more important than writing skills.
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Editing: Some say that editing is more profitable than writing.
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Licensing agreements: Some freelance journalists receive payments from licensing agreements between publishers and platforms.
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/journalist-salary-SRCH_KO0,10.htm
How to get started
Knowledge of the music industry is key, but if you’re reading this then you’re already engrossed in the music scene anyway.
Technically, you don’t need a writing qualification, or degree to get started in this role, but if you’re serious about it, and want others to take you seriously (about it), then we would 100% recommend putting your time, mind, and hands where your mouth is.
Either way, you need to immerse yourself in different music genres, understanding mainstream and underground scenes, plus everything in between is vital..
Keeping up to date with industry news, new releases, and emerging trends will help you write to relevant and insightful content. It is also important to develop a critical ear, learning to analyse music, compare it to similar, and indeed different music, and express your opinions in an engaging way. This will make your reviews and interviews more compelling and credible.
Once qualified (or not), or even during your course, begin by pitching ideas to smaller blogs, magazines, or websites, offering to write reviews or feature pieces for free. At this stage, building a strong network is essential. Attending gigs, festivals, and industry events can help you connect with musicians, PR professionals, and other writers. The more people you know, the more opportunities you'll find for getting your work published.
As you build experience, and as we always bang on about, don’t forget to leverage social media to promote your work and build your personal brand. Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are powerful platforms for sharing your writing, following industry trends, and engaging with other music fans. Over time, your digital presence can attract attention from editors or publications looking for fresh voices. By consistently refining your craft, gaining exposure, and networking, you can gradually carve out a space for yourself as a music journalist.
Job site links
As with most jobs, the usual sites have job ads:
https://uk.indeed.com/q-music-journalist-jobs.html?vjk=fd5bf2eb1f0c0fb4
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/music-journalist-jobs/?currentJobId=4035557023&originalSubdomain=uk
However, it is worth looking at online music magazine sites, and reaching out to editors of pages asking for freelance opportunities.
Associations or official bodies to register with
In the UK, there are several associations and organisations that music journalists can join to enhance their careers, network, and stay connected to industry developments:
1. National Union of Journalists (NUJ): The NUJ is a key organisation for all journalists in the UK, including those specialising in music. Membership provides access to legal advice, press cards, and training resources, which can be incredibly helpful for freelance journalists or those working with major publications: https://www.nuj.org.uk
2. British Association of Journalists (BAJ): Another professional body for journalists in the UK, the BAJ offers legal support, press accreditation, and networking opportunities. It focuses on protecting journalists' rights and advocating for fair pay and working conditions: https://bajunion.org.uk
3. Music Writers and Critics Circle (MWCC): While smaller and less formal than the NUJ or BAJ, the MWCC offers a platform for music critics to network, share ideas, and stay updated with developments in the industry. It also organises events, workshops, and panel discussions: https://criticscircle.org.uk/music
4. PRS for Music: Although primarily aimed at musicians and songwriters, PRS for Music can be useful for music journalists who want to stay updated on copyright issues, industry insights, and networking opportunities within the wider music community: https://www.prsformusic.com
6. International Federation of Journalists (IFJ): While not UK-specific, the IFJ is worth considering for those looking for global connections and resources. As part of the IFJ, UK music journalists can benefit from international perspectives and opportunities: https://www.ifj.org
By joining these organisations, music journalists can gain professional credibility, access resources, and build a network to support their career development.
Progression pathway
An awful lot of journalists, music or otherwise, operate on a freelance basis, and with the ongoing and increasing impact of AI on writing in general, which potentially puts human jobs further at risk, fixed employment roles are going to become less and less with time.
However, freelance offers heaps of flexibility as you can pick and choose what work you do and when/how you do it (within reason), and the money can even be better, because to an extent (and with the right level of experience and reputation) you can charge higher word rates than you may get (pro rata) employed.
That said, an ‘employed’ career path might look something like this…
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Starting as a junior reporter, writing articles or pieces assigned by an editor.
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You can then become a senior or chief reporter, or a specialist writer.
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And then you can progress to Deputy Editor and Editor, either of a department or of a whole news outlet.
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Managing Editors usually run multiple departments / multiple new outlets under the same media house.
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Publishers or Editorial Directors are the top of the tree before you’re into MD territory, and these roles come with significant financial (budget) responsibility and accountability.
A sideways move to progress and/or advance your career might look like…
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Working in production as a sub-editor (which means edit checking others work).
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Working for a news agency, which can provide experience in and for a range of different media.
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Working in PR and as a public relations specialist, writing press releases, creating promotional materials, and acting as a media liaison for brands, bands and others.
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You can even transfer your journalism skills to fields such as marketing or law.
Additional Information/links
https://dittomusic.com/en/blog/how-to-get-into-music-journalism
https://www.awal.com/blog/music-journalism-is-changing