Music Journalists

Employers

Music journalists write for newspapers, magazines, wire services, and radio and television broadcasts. They may write for general news periodicals that have entertainment sections; for specialty music magazines, such as Rolling Stone or Spin; or for music Web sites such as Pitchfork.com. Some work as staff writers, but many are freelancers and write for several publications.

Starting Out

A fair amount of experience is required before you can call yourself a music journalist. Most people start out in entry-level positions, such as junior writer, copy editor, or researcher. These jobs may be listed with college career services offices or they can be obtained by applying directly to individual publishers or broadcasting companies. Graduates who previously held internships at newspapers, radio stations, or related employers often have the advantage of knowing someone who can give them a personal recommendation and leads on jobs. Want ads in newspapers, trade journals, and on the Internet are another source for jobs. Because of the competition for staff writer positions, however, few vacancies are listed with public or private employment agencies.

Once you schedule an interview, the employer will want to see samples of your published writing. These should be assembled in an organized portfolio. Bylined or signed articles are more credible (and, as a result, more useful) than stories from unidentified sources.