Value Add’s Post

I'm beyond excited to start my next chapter at Value Add! Value Add is a #research journal focused on the #operations side of #privateequity, a little-covered topic in the #tradepublication space. I'll be managing the brand's editorial output, which includes a free weekly #newsletter and in-depth trend reports, executive interviews, case studies, and more for paying subscribers. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e6utVW_J But I'm not done with infra! Value Add will be my main gig as I pursue a full-time #freelance career. I will be writing for a variety of outlets, including CleanTechIQ, in the months to come on many infrastructure-related topics, and I’ll continue to show face at events and keep tabs on the industry. So, what does this mean if you're a #PR looking to #pitch me? For my work at Value Add, feel free to connect me with executives involved with portfolio operations for #buyouts strategies or executives of #PE-owned firms. Outside of Value Add, I'll take intro calls and story pitches on anything related to #privatemarkets, #infrastructure, #energy, the #energytransition, #cleanenergy, #digitalinfrastructure, #AI, #climate, and more. You can either send pitches to isabel.obrien@valueaddpe.com or xisabelobrienx@gmail.com. (And, if you're an editor, know I'm available for hire for any of those topics above. My rates are flexible depending on the topic, article length, and size of publication. I also am available for panel moderation work, events consulting work, and podcast production work.) Going freelance is something I've wanted to do for years. As some of you know, I left Infrastructure Investor/PEI in May. While I love infrastructure, I knew there were many more stories I wanted to tell that fell outside of our editorial gamut. I'm incredibly grateful for what I was able to build during my tenure at II. I was the third most-read author of 2023, and by the time I left in May I was tied for most-read for that quarter with my editor. And, most importantly, I forged hundreds of connections, becoming an expert myself in a dynamic and growing industry through my conversations with all of you. And expanding my beat means I’ll be able to have even more of these conversations! I’ll be setting up coffee meetings and Zoom catch-ups in the weeks to come. My inbox is open to connections both old and new — if you don’t hear from me, please do reach out!

Why would you want to be an editor for The Aanzet? We asked three of our current editors what the benefits are of being an editor. Our editor Anne Habes describes what she learned while being an editor: I have learned a lot the past year at the Aanzet. Being involved with the editing process is a really interesting experience which teaches you how to find compromises and how different views can come together in the creation of a strong article. Editor Niels Verheul describes why being an editor is so much fun: The fun thing about editing is working with writers and co-editors to create a beautiful magazine, while also gaining valuable skills. As Editor-in-chief Fabienne van Wijngaarden leads our meetings, like no other she can tell you what's fun about the meetings of The Aanzet: The Aanzet meetings are a great way to meet and socialize with like-minded people and discuss history and writing! Submit your application letter before September 20th if you want to join The Aanzet! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eGACJQNA

Some Companies many times shows their services page very badly, how much time is needed to edit this. I must say it need time, where we as editor comes and play our role. We spend timing doing simple changes and make it readable. #linkedinPostdesign #companyservicespost

As I approach my third month at The Baltimore Banner, I have been thinking a lot about defining success. A mentor offered the following thoughts: For reporters, it is much easier to define success. Editors often need help seeing that their goals should be quite different than their reporters'. They need to see each of their reporters as individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. So editors need to meet each reporter at a different place and help them improve, and hopefully, thrive. Sometimes that means focusing on reporting or writing skills, sometimes it is helping a reporter figure out how to cover a beat, or how to distinguish their work from the competition. Editors of course are key to guiding coverage, whether it's breaking news or a more conceptual beat, when the goal has to be finding the front edge of the topic (for an education reporter, that might be new trends in teaching and for the city hall reporter it might be who are the emerging power brokers.) When it comes to editing copy, editors have to avoid rewriting stories, which can completely demoralize reporters, but they also can't send along stories that are confusing or take too long to get to the point. It takes awhile for editors to figure out that sweet spot between improving copy but not just rewriting it the way they would have written it. The hardest part of editing is probably dealing with difficult reporters and there is no easy answer for that. The only part of running a newsroom that I could advise on is running the coverage and for me, that was always driven by focusing on the big news of the day. You have to make sure that editors have put enough staffers on the big stories and are looking across the news cycle, e.g. what will we have to publish first thing tomorrow, and make sure some people are trained on the bigger, deeper questions that take a few days to report. If you are clear on your top priorities each day and the newsroom aligns behind those, then the smaller stories will take care of themselves. You will be judged by how the Banner did on the big things, not the small things.

Michael Kaisin-Morin, Ask Media's former Senior Managing Editor, sat down with us to discuss how nDash helped level up content quality and productivity. “At Ask, writers get the byline for their work, so we needed real subject matter experts. We needed real writers — with credibility on the topics they were writing about, from financial services and travel to history and healthcare — who would provide accurate content,” Michael explained. Click here to read the entire case study >> https://buff.ly/3VdZcYd

45 minutes per week - and we mean it! That’s how much time our clients need to invest for success. In the beginning, it’s a bit more, with the discovery call and getting everything ready. Then it goes to 1 hour weekly calls with the writer. But after a few months or even weeks, a rhythm is in place. The Fluex Media writer gets to know the client and they get more done in less time. The right questions are asked, the conversation flows nicely, and the posts are approved faster. The best part: The research, writing, connection requests, posting, and more are all getting done… …while our clients focus on what they do best - running and growing their businesses. We provide exactly what our target market looks for. Maximum results with minimal time investment! #FluexMedia

Stop Replacing, Start Investing in Editors! As a beginner, I faced it a lot. How can I trust someone? It can demotivate NEW EDITORS. 😣 Ever felt the sting of being replaced just when you were starting to get into your groove? In the fast-paced world of video editing, it's common for professionals to be replaced the moment a "better" editor comes along. But let's pause and think: what if we gave each editor at least a month to truly show their potential? An editor’s skill isn’t just about technical prowess—it’s about understanding a brand's voice, developing a creative rapport, and delivering content that resonates. A month can make a world of difference in nurturing this relationship, allowing editors to integrate feedback, improve their work, and align better with the project's vision. By offering a month-long commitment, we foster a culture of growth and respect. It's an investment not just in an individual’s career, but in the quality and consistency of the work we produce. Let’s champion fairness and opportunity in our industry. Before making quick replacements, let’s give talented editors the time they need to shine. 🌟 "Great things take time. Let's give our video editors the chance to truly shine. Stop replacing, start investing! 🌟#VideoEditing #CreativeProfessionals #FairWork #IndustryStandards #ProfessionalGrowth P.S. Share your thoughts on this. PSX Signing Off.

Giving notes to your editor - how do you critique without crushing their spirits? 🎯 Remind them of the vision. This is what we’re aiming for. 👍 Point out what’s working. Acknowledge their hard work. 🧐 Point out what isn’t working. This is where we’re off target. Reminding the editor of the vision sets the notes in objective space. “We all agreed we’re aiming for this target. Here’s where you hit it, and here’s where you missed. Let’s adjust.” It also helps you as the director or producer be objective. Maybe the editor did it a way you wouldn’t have—but if it hits the target, maybe it’s okay. How can editors receive notes well? Ask lots of questions and take lots of notes. Then go for a walk :)

The role of an editor is a tricky balance, helping shape a story that ultimately belongs to someone else. It is a job that requires both story skills and people skills. In this April, Editing for Editors workshop with experienced journalist and editor Karen Duffin, you'll work through both sides of the editor equation. You’ll talk in-depth about the elements of a good story, common mistakes reporters make in reporting and crafting stories, and practical tools for fixing those mistakes. And you'll dive into the human side of editing, tips and tools for assessing the individual needs of your reporters, and how to best support and motivate them. The class will be very practical, using examples from instructor Karen Duffin’s experience helping edit stories at Planet Money and This American Life, along with series like Wild Boys. We will also leave time to talk through any editing dilemmas you’re currently facing.

Video: How do you find the right professional editor for your project? In our Meet an Editor series, Becky Noelle advises doing your research. Learning a little about the process of editing will make it easier for you to find the right editor.