Working the Automotive Beat: What Works, What Doesn’t
Some of my readers here on Auto Trends know that I mainly market myself as The Auto Writer, maintaining a blog of that name. I also contribute content for a handful of parts stores, am an automotive columnist for two print publications, and supply content to other blogs and websites from time to time. In other words, I’m a busy guy!
I rose up the ranks of automotive writing, mostly on my own initiative. When an opportunity arose for me to write about something of interest to me, I seized it.
Though I’ve been writing newsletters, manuals and other publications since the late 1980s, most of my automotive writing is much more recent: 2005, in fact. That’s when Sam’s Club got a hold of an article I wrote, “Flex Fuel: Will You Bite?” and published it in their magazine. I was thrilled because for much of the 13 years prior to that, most of my writing had to do with business aviation.
I wasn’t trained as a journalist and have generally shied away from that term. With a degree in business and an extensive writing background to show for myself, I have a good idea how corporations run and have used that knowledge to get to know the auto industry better. Still, I tip my hat to the beat reporters who turn up all sorts of industry news and run with the story.
Which leads me to my point: I appreciate the leads I get from everyone and encourage you to keep sending your press releases, news stories and related information out, but I must explain why some of those articles or stories are not usually published by me on Auto Trends or The Auto Writer. There are some exceptions; please read on and I’ll explain.
Personnel Changes – While usually big news for businesses themselves, most of my readers aren’t interested in various appointments and job responsibility changes. Recently, I made an exception with my announcement about Joel Ewanick being poached from Nissan mere weeks after having left Hyundai. Ewanick’s story was important for two reasons: GM landed an important industry name and Ewanick’s quick tenure at Nissan was stunning!
Local Shows – Regional auto shows are always newsworthy events, while enthusiast car shows generally are not. Yet, I’ve experimented in the past by posting a round up of local shows which brought in some traffic. Still, when your target is the entire United States and beyond, not too many people are interested in a swap meet at a church parking lot on a Saturday in Lillington, NC.
Dealer News – I love to tease car dealers, but they are some of my most helpful people when putting a story together. Some have supplied cars while others have shed light on their industry. Still, if the story doesn’t have a strong newsworthy component, I won’t run with it. As always, I do “shout out” to dealers when they help me out.
Obscure Information – This can be a hard one! Something that may not seem all that interesting now, can be later on. Just a few years ago I basically avoided talk about hybrid and electric cars, but now I dare not avoid the subject: it’s big news! Still, I have been stung by obscure information over the years, including publishing information about V-Vehicles, a vaporware operator.
There may be some other stories of weaker interest that I’m just not thinking about at the moment. I’m not trying to discourage contributions, rather to let you know what I’m likely to go with. With any story idea, my readers’ interest has to be piqued as does mine; but if you have something to share please carefully fill out the contact form and include all of your information.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained—in any case I appreciate your interest whether I go with your story or not.
