Many great story ideas never survive the morning meeting. It’s not just that they’re overridden by breaking news. Sometimes story ideas die because no one can figure out how to make them into television or radio. We’ve all heard it said about a complex issue story: “That’s a great one for the newspaper.” It’s the kiss of death. So what can you do to keep a story idea alive? Try these strategies:
Plan ahead
- Know why the story matters. You must do some reporting before you even bring up the idea.
- Be prepared to explain your story idea clearly and briefly. If you can’t, it’s going to be difficult to persuade anyone that it’s worth doing.
- Have a clear focus in mind. Know who the main characters are and what the main locations will be.
- If there is a surprise twist to the story, explain how you will reveal that surprise to the audience.
- Rehearse your pitch ahead of time. Out loud.
Think visually
- Describe what the story might look like on the air or online. Give examples of ways you would illustrate the story, if it’s not naturally visual.
- Describe visual comparisons you could make. Tell what the story reminds you of and what simple terms you might use to relate it to viewers, listeners or readers.
- Be specific and concrete. What will we see? Whom will we hear from?
Include others
- Consult with a photographer and/or Web producer early on about ways of making the story more visual.
- Talk with producers about how the story fits in with other news they are pursuing or with stories they have done in the past.
- Talk to the desk about logistics for the day, to see how you can make your plan work.
- If you have enlisted an ally before the meeting, your chances of success improve dramatically.
- Consider what you’ll need in the way of support to make the story work for television or the Web. If you’ll need desk help gaining access, ask for it up front. If you expect to need graphics, get everyone thinking about them early.
Be honest
- Don’t overpromise. If you can’t deliver the story today, don’t offer it for today.
- If you need time to nail the story down, ask for a specific, limited amount of time to make calls, and stick to it.
- If the story has appeared elsewhere, give credit but explain how your piece, with its visual or interactive elements, will provide a different look at the story and move the issue forward.
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