Tips: Become a Fashion Journalist Whose Opinions Matter

Are you the fashion guru in your circle of friends and colleagues? Are people coming to you with questions on what to wear? Are you the one who always has witty comments on Oscar dresses? Oh, you have writing skills, too? It’s time for you to consider a hobby, which you can even turn into a profession: fashion journalism.

This is an important branch of journalism, which is involved in all published media. Robin Givhan, a fashion critic for The Washington Post, won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Maybe that little detail will help you view this profession from a more serious angle.

Now, the only question is: how do you become a fashion journalist? Moreover, how do you become a fashion journalist worthy of respect? Today’s guide is all about that. We’ll give you precise tips that will help you get at the top of this industry.

Earn a Degree or Take an Online Course in Journalism

You might have a sophisticated sense of fashion, but that won’t be enough. You have to take your reporting skills to a certain level, so you can start applying them in effective fashion stories. Does this mean you have to pursue a BA in journalism? You could. But, you can also take journalism courses online.

Why do you need education for this profession? – Because you must learn how to make a difference between facts and fakes. Oh, alternative facts are also important. You must learn how to express yourself without getting offensive. Plus, you must learn audience analyzing techniques, so you’ll adopt a style that works for your target readers.

Work on Your Writing Skills

Take the time to go through some of Robin Givhan’s articles. Let’s take this one as an example: For Melania Trump, 2017 Was the Year of the Sleeve. There’s something distinctive in Givhan’s writing that makes us recognize her style. It’s like reading a story, but it’s based on relevant research and it convinces us in a specific point.

Your success in fashion journalism has a lot to do with your research, writing, and editing skills. So you have to work on those. If necessary, collaborate with a writer from an essay service to pick up few tricks that make you a better writer.

Get Some Experience

How exactly do you make it as a fashion journalist? You’ll probably want to work for a big-name magazine, website, or TV network. It’s not easy to get there. You’ll have to prove you’re worthy of a chance, and you’ll do that only if you gain experience.

Internships are an options. You can get one at a magazine and do everything in your power to shine. But hey; don’t expect to gain an internship position as a writer. You will be part of the fashion industry, but you’ll only observe the journalism part from the side.

Blogging might be a better choice. With this strategy, you actually get to write. Start blogging and keep getting better at it. Build an audience around your blog! You can get there by promoting your articles on all social media networks. When you start applying for jobs, your blog will serve as proof of your work. It will replace the experience you lack.

Send Out Some Cold Emails

Sooner or later, you’ll come to the point when you’ll really want to get close to the big names in the fashion industry. You’ll want to report from Gucci shows. You’ll want to write for the most important magazines that have gained global respect with their editions. How do you get there when these jobs are rarely filled through ads?

The blog will help. A killer LinkedIn profile will also boost your chances to get recruited. However, you shouldn’t stop there. To start and develop a career as a fashion journalist, you have to be proactive. So start sending some cold emails.

Many editors will publish their contact information on their websites and social media profiles. If you can’t find an email address, you can always connect via LinkedIn. Just send your CV and cover letter, and ask them to consider you for a possibly available position.

Set Your Expectations Straight

What do you accomplish through fashion journalism? You want glamour? You’ll get it! But you’ll only be part of it as an observer. If you get into the top of this industry, you’ll be attending the best fashion shows, parties, and high-profile events. But guess what: you won’t be able to afford most of the stuff you see, and that’s not really glamorous.

You can start making big money if you become a senior editor or you turn your own blog into a huge success. At that point, you’ll start getting stuff for free. But that will take years and tons of consistency. Are you willing to make huge efforts while surviving on an entry-level salary? Because that’s exactly what it takes for becoming a fashion journalist.

Bottom line, all efforts are worth it. This is a great profession that brings you in direct relation with two things you love: writing and fashion. Are you up for it?

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