I’m currently rereading Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky, a must-read for any journalist who wants to remain employable/understand what the hell is happening to our profession. The book chronicles how Web 2.0 technologies are revolutionizing our world and the way we socialize with one another via these technologies.

I’m re-branding. More posts and exciting developments to come over the next week or so.

I overheard the following comment the other day regarding social media: “Personally, I think those things are just fads.”

The comment came from a fellow journalist, and I couldn’t help but think that this person is a) living in an alternate reality, and b) may soon find themselves without a job.

While out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, I was asked by a total stranger “How does one become famous as a magazine writer?” I replied with something about having great story pitches, yada yada, and he seemed satisfied without asking any follow-up questions. When the convo was over I asked myself the same question: “How DOES one become famous as a magazine writer?” I mean, it can be done, but I’m not so sure it’s all about having great story ideas. Yes, that’s part of it, but there’s more. I know plenty of people who are great writers with great ideas who never get published and mediocre writers with mediocre ideas who get published all the time (I’d like to think I’m somewhere in the middle–I hope).

Last week I attended the Northwestern seminar “How to Get a Job With Your Magazine Concentration.” While the seminar was encouraging, I’ve already done most of the little “tricks” they recommended. I have a Web site that links to my clips. I have some kick “a” business cards. I’m already cross-platform, multi-platform, whatever-you-want-platform. So these tips sort of felt felt like no-brainers. The seminar did, however, reinforce something I’ve always know: it’s all about who you know (don’t hate me for sounding so cliche).
Nine times out of 10, when a job …

For roughly 4 months of my life, I was utterly consumed by Sci Q. I was fortunate enough to work on the magazine as part of my Master’s program at the Medill School of Journalism. Sci Q is a magazine intended for males ages 25 to 44 who like to know how things work, but don’t necessarily consider themselves scientists. It takes popular science pubs like Popular Science and Science Illustrated to the next level with a bit of wit and a lot of sarcasm. It was a blast to …

“Misery loves company.” Ahh, what a comforting statement and a true one in most circumstances. For example, if I miss out on a pair of Andrew Bird tickets by five minutes, it’s nice to know that my best friend missed them by two. If I’m suffering from a broken heart I would much rather hang out with a bitter, divorcee than with my newly engaged classmate. I think everyone can agree that the human in us wants to know that others share and feel our pain. But as I sit …

Ever since I moved to Chicago from Texas I’ve been wondering why queso is never on the menu at any restaurant I go to. But alas, my question has been answered by Texas Monthly’s David Courtney. See excerpt below, but be sure to check out the rest of his advice in his column The Texanist. It is hilarious, especially for those of us who are from Texas.
Q. Why is it so hard to find queso dip at restaurants on the East Coast? In the simplest form, it’s just Velveeta and …

One of the most fascinating Web sites within the journalism world has to be MediaStorm.org. Professor Susan Mango Curtis first introduced me and my classmates to the site roughly a year ago. MediaStorm, which is sponsored by the Washington Post, has mastered the art of multimedia storytelling. Their projects shed a new light on social awareness and inspire me to be a better journalist. Medill pushed and pushed and pushed a multi-platform education all throughout grad school. The best journalist is one that can conquer all sides of the spectrum …

If I learned anything at Northwestern University I learned about branding (Thank you, Dean Lavine). It’s not a magazine; it’s a brand. It’s not a Web site; it’s a brand. It’s not a newspaper; it’s a brand. I’m not a journalist; I’m a brand. We’re no longer talking about products or identifying markers on livestock. We’re talking about spirit, vibe, beliefs, outlook on life, etc. So what’s behind the brand Elizabeth N. Riley? Part of my brand has yet to be discovered seeing as I’m only 24, but here’s what …