The Importance of Building (and Maintaining) Contacts as a Journalist

Developing a solid network of key contacts is a fundamental part of the journalistic process.

‘Contacts’ in journalism refers to individuals who can provide information, story leads, act as sources or interviewees, and industry professionals who may help your career growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned journalist or a rookie, having a strong and reliable list of names in your ‘rolodex’ makes life much easier.

When you develop a contacts list and then nurture those relationships with regular communication, you’ll seldom have trouble finding sources for your articles. It could help advance your career, and it can often lead to an exclusive story. I’ll expand on this shortly.

On my first day as a newspaper reporter, I was encouraged to go out and buy a contacts book and fill it with the names of every person I engaged with, including their business, occupation, and contact information. It filled up fast, and I still have that first book, by now a little tattered. It’s fun to leaf through those dog-eared pages and reminisce about the people I once spoke with and the topics I covered. It’s remarkable how many of those names have popped up in major mainstream articles and TV shows over the years.

Depending on the nature of your work, and whether you’re a generalist or a niche writer, contacts can be divided into several categories, starting with a list of people you call often just to see what’s going on. If you cover a regular beat, this could include emergency services personnel, local councilors, politicians, and your favorite ‘informant’ (a person who always seems to know what’s happening in their area). You can also keep a list of individuals in professional organizations, community workers, and non-profits. I also added topic experts to my lists, in areas such as immigration or the military, which came in very useful when I produced TV talk shows and needed knowledgeable panelists for weekly shows.

If you’re a niche journalist and cover areas such as entertainment or travel, it’s imperative that you develop strong contacts within those worlds and industries, otherwise you won’t be ‘in the know.’

So, where do you find all these contacts?

When tackling a new story and conducting research, names of experts, enthusiasts, and anyone else involved will appear in different articles and publications. You may also find names through conversations either in person or online. As journalists our job is to connect with these people, find out more about their expertise, interest, or involvement in the story or subject we’re investigating, and see if they’ll make a good interview source or can provide information we can use in the piece. Of course, not everyone will be friendly, and some individuals may be openly hostile when you call or email them. We’ve all experienced people saying no, so this is just part of the job.

Regardless of their response, each person you connect with as a journalist, whether it’s a casual conversation or a formal interview, should be included in your contacts list. You never know when you may need their expertise or knowledge again, maybe for a follow-up piece or to find more information on a subject. And if it’s one of those rude people you encounter, it’s best to list their names with a prominent ‘do not contact’ note. We speak to so many people that it’s very easy to forget names and it would be uncomfortable to suffer their wrath a second time.

You can also find great contacts through joining groups and organizations. These can include professional groups within your niche or in an area you’d like to cover. Not only will you meet people knowledgeable in the topics you want to pursue, but members can also offer story ideas on a plate.

For example, I produced a TV discussion show covering international stories and issues, and joined several organizations I thought would be helpful. One of these groups was the local United Nations Association (UNA) chapter. During one of their meetings, I was told about Paul Rusesabagina’s upcoming visit to Denver. Rusesabagina was the Hutu hotelier portrayed by actor Don Cheadle in the movie ‘Hotel Rwanda.’ I quickly contacted the organizer and we met on several occasions, securing an exclusive interview at the Denver Convention Center. Rusesabagina had only 35 minutes to spare after a compelling speech, and afterwards we ushered him into a special room where I had a film crew ready. All the network affiliate journalists followed us begging for a few minutes of his time, but the organizer told them no, explaining they’d been working with me for months. Not one of them had bothered to get in touch with her beforehand. So, developing and nurturing that one contact led to a well-deserved exclusive interview.

Contacts can also provide great leads. I stumbled upon a breaking news story involving military jet and police helicopter mid-air near-misses, just by calling and chatting with someone a contact of mine had suggested.

There are countless opportunities for networking online, through social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can join a group to find information and contacts in any number of topics and subject areas. The possibilities are endless. But of course, you must use caution when connecting with people online. It’s always better to follow up with an email, phone call, or safely set up a meeting (preferably in a public place).

As journalists and writers, it’s also helpful to connect with other industry professionals. This can benefit us in many ways, from mentorship to feedback. It’s nice to have someone to contact if you have questions, are facing a dilemma, or just need some advice or support. There are several journalistic organizations you can join offering numerous benefits, such as press passes and legal advice. Click here to find out more.

How you keep and organize your contacts lists is up to you. Back in the day mine were physical books and I also kept a special file to store business cards, which I gathered whenever I attended an event, meeting or conference. Nowadays with the need to include emails and social media links, it’s easier to keep a list on a laptop or iPhone. However, I still love collecting business cards.

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The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is a practical, informative, and well-researched introduction to journalism and its best practices, with actionable advice, tips, techniques, explanations, and anecdotes straight from the field. In this digital guide, writers will learn how to write an effective news piece, skills need to be an effective journalist, outlets for publishing journalism, journalism associations, and so much more. Both inspirational and pragmatic, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Journalism is packed with valuable resources for aspiring journalists.

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To succeed as a journalist, building a great contacts list is just the beginning; the most important factor is to maintain and nurture these relationships. This could be as simple as an occasional email or quick phone call just to catch up. Or you can opt for a regular in-person lunch meeting.

I believe speaking with someone in person is most beneficial. There are some things you just can’t discuss or properly relay in an email or even over the phone. Through meeting someone you can better develop trust and rapport, which works both ways. This is especially crucial if you’re covering a sensitive subject or talking with someone who has experienced a traumatic event. They can get a feel for you as a person and decide whether they’re comfortable sharing information with you. And conversely, as a journalist, you can better determine if they’re trustworthy enough to use as a source.