JOURNALIST VS WRITER: WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?

All journalists are writers, but not all writers are journalists. It’s easy to use the term “writer” as a catch-all when it comes to any writing profession. However, when we use it as a catch-all, we lose out on some of the nuances between the different disciplines. 

This article looks at the differences between journalists and writers to help you identify what may be the best fit for you. As a note, for the sake of this article, when we talk about writers, we’re talking about copywriters and content writers. Read on to learn whether a career in writing or journalism may be the right fit for you.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE DIFFERENT BETWEEN A JOURNALIST AND WRITER

Education can play a pivotal role in the development of journalists and writers. It’s important to note that you don’t need a degree to pursue a career in journalism or writing. However, formal education can help develop career-related skills in a more streamlined way. 

Journalism

Aspiring journalists typically pursue degrees in journalism, communications, or related fields. Journalism programs give students a comprehensive understanding of journalistic principles, ethics, and practices. Students learn the art of investigative reporting, news ethics, and how to tell a story. In these kinds of programs, there’s an emphasis on critical thinking, fact-checking, and the ability to distill complex information into digestible pieces. 

Writing

On the other hand, writers who focus on content or copy often have a background in marketing, advertising, literature, or even psychology. This kind of writing revolves around persuasion. Students learn how to craft a compelling message that resonates with their target audience. This requires them to understand how writing and people work. 

JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS: CRITICAL DIFFERENCES IN THE FIELD

Journalists and writers have one major thing in common: they work with words. Here are some significant differences to make distinguishing between the two fields easy.

Purpose and Objective

Journalists have one primary goal – to report the news and deliver accurate, unbiased information to the public. Journalists are often viewed as the gatekeepers of newsworthy information. They identify what’s need-to-know information and communicate it to their audience. This means that sometimes, they’re not able to talk about anything they want because more important events might need the spotlight.

Writers, on the other hand, have the freedom to explore what they choose. Often, a writer will identify a niche (or several) they know about and focus on. They’re not bound by what’s relevant in that day's news cycle. Instead, they can be picky about what they write.

Time

A critical difference between journalists and writers is the element of time. To keep the public informed, journalists often work under tight deadlines. They need to work efficiently under pressure and have excellent time management skills. This can take a while to get used to, especially for those just starting out. 

Writers have more flexibility when they’re looking at time. The work that they do often doesn’t have tight deadlines. Writers can take the time they need to craft their work. They can revise and refine it until they’re satisfied with it. They work with deadlines too, but they often have a longer turnaround time than journalists.

Target Audience

Journalists usually write for newspapers, magazines, or online news platforms. All of these forms of media have one thing in common: they need to inform a broad range of readers. Journalists have to consider this in their writing. That means finding the middle ground between accuracy and understandability. They must deliver facts concisely and clearly, so their writing style needs to reflect that.

Writers cater to more specific audiences. This means they don’t have to be as concise when writing. Their audience is niche, which means that they can focus on more minute details. They can play with their writing style and experiment with what works.

SKILLS REQUIRED FOR JOURNALISTS AND WRITERS

Journalists' and writers' skills are fundamental, but each profession requires specific abilities.

Journalists

Journalists have to get to the core of the story. This means that they have to be able to conduct in-depth research to gather information and verify facts. From there, they have to be able to talk to people. This is where interviewing skills come in. Journalists need to be able to conduct interviews, ask insightful questions, and then summarize the interview succinctly. 

Writers

Content and copywriters require a different kind of skillset. They need to be able to adapt to their topic and audience. We’re talking learning about how to adapt their tone and style to suit different subjects and target demographics. Writers must also be proficient in SEO principles and keyword integration to ensure their content is discovered. In addition to the need to persuade or inform their audience, they also need a keen eye for detail and impeccable grammar.

FINDING YOUR PATH: CHOOSING A CAREER AS A FREELANCE JOURNALIST OR WRITER

Ultimately, the decision to become a freelance journalist or writer comes down to your personal preferences and goals. 

If you:

• Feel passionate about current events
• Enjoy research and getting to the bottom of a story
• Thrive under tight deadlines

A career as a freelance journalist may be the move for you. 

However, if you:

• Enjoy experimenting with different writing styles
• Love figuring out what makes people pay attention
• Desire creative freedom

Then freelancing writing may be for you.

Journalists and writers must be passionate about continuous learning and adaptation regardless of the field. They need to stay up-to-date on current events and industry trends. It may not be the easiest decision, but if you love writing, you can’t go wrong.

Looking to get started with expert writers on your side? Reach out to the Hire a Writer team to learn more about our services.