Motoring Journalist - Career Change
Discussion
I imagine this is a career that many of us want or have wanted to do over the years but please hear me out.
For as long as I can remember I have been reading various car magazines. From my fathers stockpile of old copies of AutoCar & Motor to my early obsession with CAR and onto all the issues of EVO. Car magazines have always been part of my life. Whilst at school I flirted with the idea of pursuing this career path but a lack of confidence in my English skills put paid to that idea.
A decade later I have started to pursue this once again as I have discovered a love of writing about cars and not just reading about them. The opportunities in my home-town of Norwich are rare but I have grabbed each one I can and so far I have been to the Scottish highlands with Mazda, Le Mans with Aston Martin and road tested the 2012 Ford Ranger for a week. These opportunities have come through a friend who is the editor of a mens lifestyle blog. These have given me the opportunity to flex my writing muscles in real-world situations.
I have no formal training, no accreditation or experience working with large publications, motoring or otherwise. That being said, I am told that what I have written so far is good and shows promise. I will post a couple of articles shortly to see what you think.
The purpose of my post is to see if anyone within the PH fraternity has any advice or direction for me. I want to put my best foot forward but it's always best to make sure you are wearing the right shoes.
Any help will be greatly received.
For as long as I can remember I have been reading various car magazines. From my fathers stockpile of old copies of AutoCar & Motor to my early obsession with CAR and onto all the issues of EVO. Car magazines have always been part of my life. Whilst at school I flirted with the idea of pursuing this career path but a lack of confidence in my English skills put paid to that idea.
A decade later I have started to pursue this once again as I have discovered a love of writing about cars and not just reading about them. The opportunities in my home-town of Norwich are rare but I have grabbed each one I can and so far I have been to the Scottish highlands with Mazda, Le Mans with Aston Martin and road tested the 2012 Ford Ranger for a week. These opportunities have come through a friend who is the editor of a mens lifestyle blog. These have given me the opportunity to flex my writing muscles in real-world situations.
I have no formal training, no accreditation or experience working with large publications, motoring or otherwise. That being said, I am told that what I have written so far is good and shows promise. I will post a couple of articles shortly to see what you think.
The purpose of my post is to see if anyone within the PH fraternity has any advice or direction for me. I want to put my best foot forward but it's always best to make sure you are wearing the right shoes.
Any help will be greatly received.
If you have access to iTunes, there are a couple of relevant podcasts from Coventry University which feature in-depth interviews with Steve Cropley of Autocar in the iTunes U section.
Titled 'Coventry Conversations', they cover how he got into the industry and how he would advise up and coming motoring journo's as to getting into the magazine world and beyond.
I found them helpful and interesting as I had similar dreams to yourself (currently shelved)!
Titled 'Coventry Conversations', they cover how he got into the industry and how he would advise up and coming motoring journo's as to getting into the magazine world and beyond.
I found them helpful and interesting as I had similar dreams to yourself (currently shelved)!
I did see that. It might be worth a email to the editor as my Dad always used to say 'you don't ask, you don't get'.
Here is the review I did for the 2012 Ford Ranger. Please bear in mind it was written for a mens blog rather than for automotive enthusiasts:
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a big car. It is a mans car. If it was a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie and when you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road. Driving the Ranger is like the automotive equivalent of penile enlargement surgery. It is by no means perfect but often you can forgive its foibles for the way it makes you feel. With its high stance, rugged looks and ‘look-at-me’ orange paintwork, it gets attention in much the same way a high end sports car would.
In Wildtrak spec, the Ranger is not your standard utilitarian work vehicle. You get leather, iPod control, bluetooth, sat-nav, reversing camera and other goodies. The bright paint, dark grille and plethora of Wildtrak stickers further separate it from its lesser brethren. It still has a large loadbay and space for four large adults but the clientele Ford is targeting with this truck is not your average farmer or builder. Since the introduction of pick-ups like the Warrior and the sportier Navaras, the market for large leisure vehicles has grown and grown.
It is perfectly suited for someone looking to load the back with bikes, kayaks & other adventure gear and go off in pursuit of the ultimate thrill. It is less suited to the world I live in, the city. Its proportions are almost comical set against the urban backdrop of city life. That being said I did venture into a local multi-storey car-park and despite its colossal size, I was able to get in and out with ease thanks to great visibility, parking sensors and a very effective reversing camera.
Interior & Equipment
For me standard equipment is very important. I tried to buy a modest hatch-back from a German manufacturer a few years ago and with just some modest add-ons the price had gone up by over £4000. I walked away and bought something with everything as standard for £1000 less and it was a quicker car.
The Ranger Wildtrak has a great deal of standard kit. Some of the highlights are a decent Sat-Nav, Bluetooth (Music and Calls), iPod connectivity, an impressive set of speakers, auto headlights and wipers, 18” alloy wheels and a reversing camera to name but a few. The big comfy seats are also covered in some half-decent leather and are heated and electrically adjustable.
The build quality is not as good as some but it feels rugged and usable. Most of the buttons can be used with gloves on even if at times the layout can appear a little confusing. The sporty dials and sci-fi dash arrangement seems out of character with a vehicle of this type but goes perfectly with the image the Wildtrak wants to portray. The model we tested was a double-cab and there is more space in the back than in most pick-ups I have been in.
On the road
As I’ve already said the Ranger is a big vehicle but after a day or so you get used the proportions and navigating it around becomes fairly straightforward. I tested it in a variety of situations. First driving it on a 500-mile round trip on mainly motorways and major roads. The 3.2l engine puts out a healthy 200 or so hp so the Ranger has no problem hauling itself along the road. It is surprisingly quiet at motorway speeds and the 346lbft of torque helps you get back up to speed when you get caught behind slower moving traffic. It is comfortable enough for all but the longest of journeys and managed a healthy 30.5mpg on a mixture of motorway and city driving.
Around town it can feel quite big at times but that’s because it is. It’s high seating position and good all-round visibility help you navigate through some of the tighter spaces and the reversing camera makes parallel parking a doddle (if you can find a space big enough). What really lets the Ranger down is the gearbox. It’s fine at cruising speed but at low speeds it feels clumsy and agricultural. Maybe with an auto-box it would be easier to live with but in 2012 we should be expecting a slightly classier drivetrain, especially given this particular versions target market.
We didn’t get to try the Ranger on the muddy stuff but I have no doubt that it is a competent off-roader and capable of tackling some pretty rough stuff when required. Despite the 18” wheels it has high-profile tyres and a raised ride height which help to smooth out any bumps you may come across and makes for a smooth ride on good surfaces. The low-ratio gearbox and switchable four wheel drive system add to the Ranger’s off road capability.
Verdict
Is this the best pick-up on the market? Maybe, we’ll have to wait until we test some of its main rivals to decide that. It certainly ticks all the boxes for a vehicle of this type with its rugged looks and versatile nature. It is far from perfect but it is not going up against the X5s and MLs of this world so you can forgive a few rough edges. The five cylinder diesel is smooth and more than capable but it’s let down by a poor manual gearbox. Overall the Ford is a well priced and well spec’d truck for those looking for something a bit different. Just spec the automatic when ordering.
Any feedback welcome.
Here is the review I did for the 2012 Ford Ranger. Please bear in mind it was written for a mens blog rather than for automotive enthusiasts:
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a big car. It is a mans car. If it was a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie and when you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road. Driving the Ranger is like the automotive equivalent of penile enlargement surgery. It is by no means perfect but often you can forgive its foibles for the way it makes you feel. With its high stance, rugged looks and ‘look-at-me’ orange paintwork, it gets attention in much the same way a high end sports car would.
In Wildtrak spec, the Ranger is not your standard utilitarian work vehicle. You get leather, iPod control, bluetooth, sat-nav, reversing camera and other goodies. The bright paint, dark grille and plethora of Wildtrak stickers further separate it from its lesser brethren. It still has a large loadbay and space for four large adults but the clientele Ford is targeting with this truck is not your average farmer or builder. Since the introduction of pick-ups like the Warrior and the sportier Navaras, the market for large leisure vehicles has grown and grown.
It is perfectly suited for someone looking to load the back with bikes, kayaks & other adventure gear and go off in pursuit of the ultimate thrill. It is less suited to the world I live in, the city. Its proportions are almost comical set against the urban backdrop of city life. That being said I did venture into a local multi-storey car-park and despite its colossal size, I was able to get in and out with ease thanks to great visibility, parking sensors and a very effective reversing camera.
Interior & Equipment
For me standard equipment is very important. I tried to buy a modest hatch-back from a German manufacturer a few years ago and with just some modest add-ons the price had gone up by over £4000. I walked away and bought something with everything as standard for £1000 less and it was a quicker car.
The Ranger Wildtrak has a great deal of standard kit. Some of the highlights are a decent Sat-Nav, Bluetooth (Music and Calls), iPod connectivity, an impressive set of speakers, auto headlights and wipers, 18” alloy wheels and a reversing camera to name but a few. The big comfy seats are also covered in some half-decent leather and are heated and electrically adjustable.
The build quality is not as good as some but it feels rugged and usable. Most of the buttons can be used with gloves on even if at times the layout can appear a little confusing. The sporty dials and sci-fi dash arrangement seems out of character with a vehicle of this type but goes perfectly with the image the Wildtrak wants to portray. The model we tested was a double-cab and there is more space in the back than in most pick-ups I have been in.
On the road
As I’ve already said the Ranger is a big vehicle but after a day or so you get used the proportions and navigating it around becomes fairly straightforward. I tested it in a variety of situations. First driving it on a 500-mile round trip on mainly motorways and major roads. The 3.2l engine puts out a healthy 200 or so hp so the Ranger has no problem hauling itself along the road. It is surprisingly quiet at motorway speeds and the 346lbft of torque helps you get back up to speed when you get caught behind slower moving traffic. It is comfortable enough for all but the longest of journeys and managed a healthy 30.5mpg on a mixture of motorway and city driving.
Around town it can feel quite big at times but that’s because it is. It’s high seating position and good all-round visibility help you navigate through some of the tighter spaces and the reversing camera makes parallel parking a doddle (if you can find a space big enough). What really lets the Ranger down is the gearbox. It’s fine at cruising speed but at low speeds it feels clumsy and agricultural. Maybe with an auto-box it would be easier to live with but in 2012 we should be expecting a slightly classier drivetrain, especially given this particular versions target market.
We didn’t get to try the Ranger on the muddy stuff but I have no doubt that it is a competent off-roader and capable of tackling some pretty rough stuff when required. Despite the 18” wheels it has high-profile tyres and a raised ride height which help to smooth out any bumps you may come across and makes for a smooth ride on good surfaces. The low-ratio gearbox and switchable four wheel drive system add to the Ranger’s off road capability.
Verdict
Is this the best pick-up on the market? Maybe, we’ll have to wait until we test some of its main rivals to decide that. It certainly ticks all the boxes for a vehicle of this type with its rugged looks and versatile nature. It is far from perfect but it is not going up against the X5s and MLs of this world so you can forgive a few rough edges. The five cylinder diesel is smooth and more than capable but it’s let down by a poor manual gearbox. Overall the Ford is a well priced and well spec’d truck for those looking for something a bit different. Just spec the automatic when ordering.
Any feedback welcome.
Edited by DavidTillyer on Wednesday 8th August 15:40
HeavySoul said:
If you have access to iTunes, there are a couple of relevant podcasts from Coventry University which feature in-depth interviews with Steve Cropley of Autocar in the iTunes U section.
Titled 'Coventry Conversations', they cover how he got into the industry and how he would advise up and coming motoring journo's as to getting into the magazine world and beyond.
I found them helpful and interesting as I had similar dreams to yourself (currently shelved)!
Thank you. I will have a look at that as soon as I get home.Titled 'Coventry Conversations', they cover how he got into the industry and how he would advise up and coming motoring journo's as to getting into the magazine world and beyond.
I found them helpful and interesting as I had similar dreams to yourself (currently shelved)!
aspender said:
Please take this as constructive criticism, but I got as far as the third sentence which when read makes no sense, and therefore I didn't go further:
"If it was a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie and when you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road."
Constructive Criticism is what I need. You can't improve unless you listen to others and learn from it."If it was a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie and when you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road."
I'll explain my thinking:
The first two sentences refer to the vehicle as a large manly car. What is a Yorkie famous for? Not it's amazing combination of ingredients as it's just milk chocolate in a wrapper. Yorkies are famous for their marking campaigns centring around the fact that it's 'not for girls' and it's 'man fuel'. Manly chocolate links to manly car. Not my greatest piece of writing but this piece was written for an 18-27 yr old demographic.
Perhaps it would have been better to split that sentence into two parts:
"If it were a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie. When you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road."
Edited by DavidTillyer on Wednesday 8th August 23:16
Edited by DavidTillyer on Wednesday 8th August 23:17
DavidTillyer said:
Constructive Criticism is what I need. You can't improve unless you listen to others and learn from it.
I'll explain my thinking:
The first two sentences refer to the vehicle as a large manly car. What is a Yorkie famous for? Not it's amazing combination of ingredients as it's just milk chocolate in a wrapper. Yorkies are famous for their marking campaigns centring around the fact that it's 'not for girls' and it's 'man fuel'. Manly chocolate links to manly car. Not my greatest piece of writing but this piece was written for an 18-27 yr old demographic.
Perhaps it would have been better to split that sentence into two parts:
"If it were a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie. When you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road."
Better, but there were two too many 'ands' in the first version, and one too many in this one I'll explain my thinking:
The first two sentences refer to the vehicle as a large manly car. What is a Yorkie famous for? Not it's amazing combination of ingredients as it's just milk chocolate in a wrapper. Yorkies are famous for their marking campaigns centring around the fact that it's 'not for girls' and it's 'man fuel'. Manly chocolate links to manly car. Not my greatest piece of writing but this piece was written for an 18-27 yr old demographic.
Perhaps it would have been better to split that sentence into two parts:
"If it were a chocolate bar it would be a Yorkie. When you get behind the wheel and you feel like the king of the road."
The analogy actually works for those old enough to remember the Yorkie truck driver ads, but that's not who you are aiming at so the second sentence still bears little relation to the first. Why is it like a Yorkie? You would be better saying something like "...it would be a Yorkie. Girls are clearly not going to be able to park it." for instance.
Edited by aspender on Wednesday 8th August 23:30
Edited by aspender on Wednesday 8th August 23:31
I totally agree on the 'ands'. It is amazing how many times you can read something that you wrote yourself and not see the glaringly obvious. I guess that's why we have editors!
The Yorkie reference was mainly due to the recently resurgence of the Yorkie marketing department. I've rarely seen an add break over the last few weeks that hasn't featured this advert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJVWjCVnVzU
That's probably why I gravitated towards that analogy.
The Yorkie reference was mainly due to the recently resurgence of the Yorkie marketing department. I've rarely seen an add break over the last few weeks that hasn't featured this advert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJVWjCVnVzU
That's probably why I gravitated towards that analogy.
Hello David
I'm Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers. We have several initiatives to help fledgling writers - check out our website for more: http://www.gomw.co.uk/home/welcome/msg/PWCHNG
Happy to offer any help and advice.
I'm Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers. We have several initiatives to help fledgling writers - check out our website for more: http://www.gomw.co.uk/home/welcome/msg/PWCHNG
Happy to offer any help and advice.
richardaucock said:
Hello David
I'm Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers. We have several initiatives to help fledgling writers - check out our website for more: http://www.gomw.co.uk/home/welcome/msg/PWCHNG
Happy to offer any help and advice.
Thanks Richard.I'm Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers. We have several initiatives to help fledgling writers - check out our website for more: http://www.gomw.co.uk/home/welcome/msg/PWCHNG
Happy to offer any help and advice.
I did look at the Sir William Lyons Award some time ago but I'm a few years too old to enter unfortunately. I assume I need a recommendation from another member to join? There are a few activities I would be very interested in doing.
Also would it be possible to send you a couple of my recent posts for critique?
Thank you.
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