Cool EJ sites

Here are a handful of successful journalistic endeavors I found online over the past week. I'm always inspired by what people come up with out of thin air. It makes me want to try harder and do something unique as well
 
Contently is a story-telling platform created to help adapt the world of publishing to the digital age. Founded in 2010 the goal of Contently is to assist journalists and "storytellers" with freelancing careers. The site bio says that writers are "no longer bound by so-called rules of who can be a publisher and who can't. At Contently, we're devoting our lives to leveling the playing field for the hungry and talented creators and publishers out there." I haven't signed up to create an online portfolio, but perhaps I will soon.

Latitude News is a site with the motto "It’s time for journalism to mashup the local and the global." In addition to tying together local, national and global, Latitude News is utilizing many platforms to get their message across. In 2012 they introduced a monthly audio feature that takes a closer look at one "intriguing tale" of US world relations per episode. More recently, they started a weekly radio report called the Local Global Mashup. And of course they have a twitter account. I really like format Latitude News uses. They take an issue big in the US and look into other country's methods of coping with similar things. I think the news Latitude covers and the way they cover it is a definite step into the future of journalism.

The Hairpin is a general interest women's website that covers books, music, daily news, travel, health, and advice. After looking only at the "About Us" page, I could immediately tell that this is a specialized site with a flair and pizazz in every piece of writing. The site "links to the stories of the day that appeal" and maintain the label of a women's site since it is mostly run by women, written by women, and read by women. Their contributor content comes in the form of text, video, illustration, and interested contributors are welcome to send submissions directly to the staff. I liked The Hairpin right away because it's a breath of fresh air in the genre of "women's writing." Usually female-oriented journalism is all about fashion, relationships, shopping, and weight. That is not the extent of interest areas for every female on the planet. As a woman, I can say we also like world news, business, and travel in addition to a list of places to buy the best yoga pants. The Hairpin gives me a nice balance, covering anything they deem interesting for the day.