Journelism

What is journelism?

journelism is an open-source media company where writers provide feature and profile articles on people
and organizations changing the world we live in today. All content focuses on experiences—challenges,
setbacks and lessons learned—that have led to sustained success.

Think of journelism as a magazine full of practical experiences, yet instead of putting the magazine down at
the end of an article, readers can request additional information and gain further access to the profiled
person or organization. The more active the writers and users, the more access and benefits they gain
within the community.

By pooling singular experiences from a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and across
different fields, journelism is actively creating a useful resource for users across the globe wherever they
are along their own journeys.

What is an open-source media company?

An open-source system features tools to create, refine and renew content available to multiple constitu-
encies. journelism is predicated on producing high-quality, engaging content that goes through an interac-
tive publishing process between the contributor and in-house editing team.

While we welcome content from anyone, one aspect stays consistent: journelism publishes only thought-
provoking and useful information. journelism can and will cover the experiences of people all worldwide;
the only limitation lies within you.

What do we value here at journelism?

An open-source system features tools to create, refine and renew content available to multiple constitu-
encies.  journelism is predicated on producing high-quality, engaging content that goes through an interac-
tive publishing process between the contributor and in-house editing team.

While we welcome content from anyone, one aspect stays consistent: journelism publishes only thought-
provoking and useful information. journelism can and will cover the experiences of people all worldwide;
the only limitation lies within you.

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What is dialogue-based journalism?

Dialogue-based journalism allows true reader engagement and is a platform for writers to build a loyal
following. journelism facilitates close connection with authors and their audiences, allowing the audience
to guide the nature and direction of writer offerings.

With questions, access and direct input, readers can become de facto editors, allowing far more
involvement than simply contacting a writer or submitting a letter to the editor. journelism represents a
dialogue between authors and readers, not a monologue like traditional magazines or online properties,
while allowing writers to build a dedicated reader base.

What is its reach?

This open-source platform provides for direct contributions from a devoted and ever-expanding reade-
rship with in-depth expertise in their chosen fields. Dialogue-based journalism stimulates active engage-
ment well beyond information purposes, allowing collective voices to influence policy, public affairs and
education at the community, regional and national levels.

What are the reader benefits?

Readers are encouraged to contribute to a story’s development, providing a public voice while facilitating
access to information directly relevant to them. Articles and profiles become significantly enhanced
through real-time and documented interaction with all constituents. The results include innovation,
widespread participation, entrepreneurism and enhanced research skills with tangible personal and
career benefits.

What are the formats journelism provides?

Reader contributions may be made through written, audio or video files, greatly enhancing the overall
usefulness of all presented information. journelism is also actively engaged in supporting and facilitating
additional digital technologies within a framework of integrity and public interest.

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Who may contribute?

journelism.org is an open-source media platform, for which all members of the community are encoura-
ged to contribute articles.

What is the procedure for posting an article?

In order to write an article, users must be registered on the journelism site. All articles are organized by
category (i.e. Business, Music, Sports et al.) and theme (see below for description of milestones).

Once an article is submitted, users will receive a response from our editing team within 24 hours. If
approved, the article will be published immediately; if not, the editing team will create an active dialogue
with writers to get the piece ready for publication, offering targeted feedback and suggestions.

Why would my article not be approved for publication?

journelism is predicated upon best-in-class content. The only way to create a sustainable business and
marketplace for contributors is to offer users an engaging and useful resource that they cannot find
elsewhere on the Internet. Each submission must be in-depth, well-crafted, carry a specific theme and
most importantly, be useful for readers.

Who should I write my article about, and upon which themes?

Community members are encouraged to interview a variety of people within our expressed categories,
from Business, Politics and Sports to Music and Education. journelism stresses the setbacks, mistakes, diffi-
culties and struggles along the way that have led directly to tangible success. journelism organizes submi-
ssions based on different milestones within one’s life. All articles should follow one of the following themes:

“The Aha Moment” – When did the light bulb flash?

At what exact moment did the interviewee choose a specific profession or have the idea for a
company, product or service? What led up to this moment? Have there been several such instances?

“The Jump” – Taking the leap of faith.

The most memorable part of one’s journey is the time he/she decides to take a leap of faith (i.e.
switching career paths, changing direction, etc.) to follow an interest, dream or passion. What were
the specific experiences and feelings did the interviewee have after taking making the jump?
Speak about the first week? Month? Six months? Year?

“The Sacrifice” – What did you have to give up?

Success in any field of study or occupation does not come without a certain level of sacrifice. Often-
times, people do not realize what they have to give up or forego to make a dream or passion become
their livelihood. What specific sacrifices did the interviewee make to achieve a certain level of
success? What were the most difficult moments as a result of these sacrifices? In hindsight, were the
sacrifices made necessary, and how did they lead to sustained success?

“The Brick Wall” – Talk about the challenges that had to be overcome.

Every person experiences specific times when he/she has faced what at the time feels like an insur-
mountable task, or directly faced failure. What was the most difficult time along the interviewee’s
journey? What was the toughest obstacle to overcome? At the time, what specific instances did you
face that almost led to giving up or created a feeling of potentially failing?

“Biggest Oops” – Describe the critical setbacks or mistakes that you would have addressed
differently.

Experience is the best teacher; setbacks or difficulties can be more useful and educational
than successes. These missteps are what ultimately lead people to success. What have been the
biggest setbacks to date in both career and life? How have they been transformed into ultimate
successes, both personally and professionally? In hindsight, could such setbacks have been avoided?
Given the opportunity, would the interviewee even want to, given the invaluable lessons learned?

“Go Ahead… Boast” – Celebrate your accomplishments!

People achieve amazing things daily that shape the world we live in today. Individuals and organiza-
tions frequently downplay their accomplishments, which should really be shared and highlighted
with others. What are you most proud of in your occupation or life? What specific accomplishment
will stay with you the longest?

How long should my article be?

journelism suggests a range of between 700 and 900 words, while encouraging two-part articles for those
people with much to offer within several of our key milestones. Potentially, one interviewee could have a
separate article published within each milestone.

Current vs. historical?

We can learn as much from trailblazers in Shakespeare’s time as we can in Obama’s. journelism encourages a
combination of articles based upon interviews conducted today, as well as articles following our
guidelines culled from both the recent and distant past.

What happens after I publish my article?

Please take care in choosing the appropriate section for publication on journelism.org. Once published,
other members of the community will now be able to read and comment on your article. The main way
for writers to work their way up to editor status is by distributing work throughout journelism and engaging
the audience. Users have the ability to request additional information from the interviewee; it is the
author’s job to faciliate this and provide all requested information to users.

Are photos encouraged to accompany my article?

Yes, we would like a photo to accompany each article. [Specifications to come]

Who can edit my article?

As the writer, you can always edit your submissions. journelism editors will work closely with you to craft
articles of lasting value and usefulness; they may also make changes to your article as appropriate, in
order to maintain focus.

How do I erase comments from my article?

The journelism team consistently monitors the community and will immediately erase any inappropriate or
offensive comment. Any additional issues with comments can be sent to editorial@journelism.com.

Who should I contact if I have questions about an article I am writing?

If you have questions about writing or journelism’s editorial process, please contact editorial@journelism.org.

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How do I work my way up within the journelism community?

There are two main ways for writers to work their way up within the journelism community and eventually
get paid with clear recognition:

1.Become known within a specific category. Although we welcome articles across a variety of
topics, we encourage writers to focus on an area of interest about which they are passionate.
So whether it is business, politics, sports, music or other areas, continuously writing on primary
topic areas is the most direct way to build a dedicated following and to eventually become an
editor for journelism.

2.Respond to your readers. Users will request additional information on the people and organi-
zations you profile; your job is to respond to these requests and fulfill the demand of your readers.
So whether it is a Q&A session, video or more in-depth editorial, give the readers what they want
and additionally, expose them to different resources they will find useful. Our community is based
upon interactivity; the writers facilitate this communication and we reward them accordingly.

Who can comment on journelism.com articles?

As an open-source media platform, all members of the journelism community are encouraged to comment
on articles; straightforward guidelines are posted on journelism.org.

What should my comments focus on?

journelism imposes no restrictions as to how you comment or what you comment upon; the key question
you must ask: Are your comments useful and constructive?

We also encourage the following approaches:

Recognize a well-written article: Have you just read through a great piece? Let the author know
what you think.

Begin a debate: See something you disagree with? Let the community know why, and back up your
perspective with specifics.

Add relevant insight: Is there some outside knowledge you have that could shed light on the
subject?

Post related links: Know of another article either on journelism.com or another website that this
author and our readers may enjoy? Or a website relevant to the subject of the argument?

Support the author: Are other comments on the article unnecessarily critical? Do you feel the
readers are missing the author’s point? Feel free to offer insights in support of our writers.

Can the author of an article delete my comment?

Only journelism site administrators can delete comments. Authors may submit a request to erase a comment
if they feel it to be highly inappropriate, offensive or inconsistent with journelism’s mission and guidelines.

Who should I contact if I have questions about commenting on articles?

Questions about commenting should be addressed to editorial@journelism.org.

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What is a milestone?

journelism’s open-source media platform is organized by a system of milestones, which are categories
described within your article such as listed above: Aha moment, the Jump, the Sacrifice, the Brick Wall,
Share the Wisdom, Biggest Oops and Go Ahead… Boast.

What if my article encompasses several of these milestones?

journelism encourages writers to stick to a theme based on a specific milestone. This creates clear usefulness for the community. journelism suggests composing multiple articles with each one focusing on specific milestones.

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What is the journelism Experience Bank?

The journelism Experience Bank is a forum for users to connect with others and journelism community managers based on where you are within your own journey (i.e. aha moment, the brick wall, etc.).

The Experience Bank is a platform to meeting interesting people with similar interests, and more
importantly, individuals who are at the same stage along their journey. Users can send messages
directly to others through the journelism messaging system.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the journelism Experience Bank?

Questions about Community Forums and messages should be directed to editorial@journelism.org.

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