Savvy writers know where to find expert sources that breathe life into their articles. Writers use expert sources to explain complex topics in simple terms, provide personal experience, and offer background information that adds depth and texture to their article.
While media mainstays like PR Newswire's ProfNet and Newswise provide reliable sources, many magazine writers, particularly those just starting out, don't have the required journalistic credentials to join. What's a new writer to do? Where do experienced writers turn for expert quotes? The truth is winning writers track down reliable expert sources in all sorts of ways. Here's how:
Expert Anecdotal Sources
- Friends, family, and colleagues -- Potentially the richest source of anecdotal stories, friends, family, and colleagues are gold mines of information. From the time Aunt Sally ran into Martha Stewart in the airport and gave her your family's recipe for chocolate fudge to the time cousin Joey stuck a pen up his nose and couldn't get it out, you'll find no shortage of amusing, original illustrations to entertain readers.
- MommaSaid -- This site, run by a fellow writer, invites writers, journalists, and authors looking for "mom sources" to post their needs and deadline on the site.
- Forums and message boards -- Online forums and message boards are another great way to locate expert sources. But be careful. Some forums prohibit writers from requesting personal stories and anecdotes.
Expert Business Sources
- Professional organizations -- Most professions have at least one national organization that writers can easily find online. Need an association executive? Contact the American Society of Association Executives. Need an art therapist. Call the American Art Therapist Association. Need an expert outside of the United States? Most countries have similar organizations representing professional groups.
- Universities -- Professors and researches generally welcome media attention. Media attention is not only good for them, it's good for the university. For input on a business matter, call Harvard Business School. Need a nutritionist? Call the American Dietetic Association.
Other Helpful Sources
- MediaBistro -- This popular site and hangout for working writers, journalists, and authors, includes a "Sources for Stories" forum, where writers can post their needs and contact information.
- AbsoluteWrite -- This site also boasts a forum where writers can post specific requests for sources and anecdotal information.
- Amazon.com -- Authors make excellent expert sources and welcome the media coverage. Once you find a qualified author, track down their Web site online. Almost all author's sites include contact forms, e-mail addresses, or the name and contact information of their PR representative.
- SheSource -- The site describes itself as "an online braintrust of female experts on diverse topics designed to serve journalists, producers and bookers who need female guests and sources."
- Your editor-- Editors are tremendous resources and, in many cases, happy to provide the names and numbers of expert sources. However, new writers will impress an editor more if they find their own expert sources to quote. However, many experienced writers with strong track records and established relationships with their editor, ask for recommendations.
In today's competitive market, it's the writer who gets interesting and compelling quotes that lands the assignment. And with a little creativity and a lot of legwork, that writer could be you.
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