Aspiring Writers: How to Pitch an Article to Jalopnik

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 09/20/2018 at 14:28 • Filed to: None

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#1 - Make it good.
#2 - Now make it really, really good. Great prose & great photos, shined to a high polish. You got this...
#3 - Email article or OPPO link to tips@jalopnik.com .
#4 - ???
#5 - Profit!

someassemblyrequired > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:39

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This is what was missing in the post further down.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:39

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#1 : welp.... thats me out.... oh well... guess i’ll have to keep my day job

AestheticsInMotion > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:40

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Someday I'll get a Miata adventure on the FP. Someday 

PatBateman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:41

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I’m sorry... MONEY?!?! I demand my $5 for the cross post !!

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-mclaren-mp4-12cs-doors-are-assholes-1721498089

fintail > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:43

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Also study wikipedia, become an “expert”, move to a hipster neighborhood, and then randomly praise and bash Tesla depending on the comments.  You’ll be golden.

Just Jeepin' > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:45

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I’d add to that: make sure your photos are credited (and legally usable).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PatBateman 09/20/2018 at 14:46

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41k views? Nice!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion 09/20/2018 at 14:47

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Yes you will.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 09/20/2018 at 14:47

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Haha! At least you know your limits.

Wacko > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:48

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correct version is

we don’t share OPPO posts to the FP anymore, we just copy them and pass it on as our own ideas.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > someassemblyrequired 09/20/2018 at 14:50

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JBH isn’t a Jalopnik editor. He’s an Opponaut from way back, and has become a fantastic photographer, turning his passion into his profession.

http://www.jbhphoto.nyc/

LJ909 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:54

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You mean after close to probably 100 posts Ive put on Oppo im just finding this out?

For Sweden > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 14:55

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But without Mack, why even read Jalopnik?

interstate366, now In The Industry > fintail 09/20/2018 at 14:55

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Don’t forget the occasional  random article about how Virginia is the worst place in the entire universe because of one outdated traffic law.

PatBateman > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 15:01

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It was posted to the FP way back when they did that sort of thing. I figure $.000 125 per click.

$5.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail 09/20/2018 at 15:03

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And for God sake’s DON’T own a car. It will only make you biased!

someassemblyrequired > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 15:19

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I’ve been around since he was on Oppo regularly, and I know he works hard. But I’ve spent a good portion of my career shepherding people through the early stages of their career, and the feedback he gave was only, at best, partially constructive.

Sure the person was testing the tensile strength of the truth, and that needs to stop, but I’ve seen far greater lies on resumes than Jalopnik = Oppo, especially given the distinction was, at one time, very blurry. If the underlying content was good, just saying hey, you know if you need a byline for your resume, ask because you just might get one. Then the “wrote for Jalopnik” thing is accurate.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PatBateman 09/20/2018 at 15:46

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Seems more than fair.

AkursedX > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 15:47

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Hmm, I’ve already had a few of my works shared to Jalopnik back in the day before that all got ruined. I never thought of going this route. I’ve put together a couple of things that might be close to FP-worthy (Although my photo work needs to be better) since that time.  Maybe I’ll try to shoot one of them their way.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin' 09/20/2018 at 15:51

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Good point - thanks.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AkursedX 09/20/2018 at 15:53

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Nice! Hope you get a good response.

Not a Sunburst Miata > AestheticsInMotion 09/20/2018 at 16:05

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I was thinking the same thing. My Miata story: From Rolling Shell to Track Toy

Future Heap Owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 16:47

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Wait people read the FP still

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Future Heap Owner 09/20/2018 at 16:52

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275k views on the Supra article, so... yeah, some people.

Jonathan Harper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 18:57

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I’d say if you’re trying to get it on the FP, don’t post it on oppo first. Exclusivity matter s.

Jonathan Harper > someassemblyrequired 09/20/2018 at 19:05

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Good on you for being that shepherd.

This is not a photography forum or writer workshop where constructive feedback is the name of the game. I think you’re still confused about why I made that post. I made it so other people don’t do that specific thing. I’m not here to coddle budding writers o nto the FP.

Maybe my tone was too blunt, but to continue in that vein , it’s surprising to see something like that on a resume for someone who is obviously is trying to take a writing career seriously.

Thanks for your support. 

Jonathan Harper > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/20/2018 at 19:06

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lol came to say this

Jonathan Harper > For Sweden 09/20/2018 at 19:07

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THROWBACKKK!!!!

nermal > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/20/2018 at 20:10

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I’m confused - When do we shitpost a steaming hot taek and a link to the article on VWVortex forums from an alt account?

Somebody told me that’s the only way to get page views ‘round these parts.

someassemblyrequired > Jonathan Harper 09/20/2018 at 21:02

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No worries man, I’m not a writer/photographer except for fun, but I taught engineering for quite a while, so I’ve been there dealing with faux pas, moral failings and other life issues of the 17-23 set. And there’s no question it’s tough being constructive and harsh at the same time.

But people will always be grateful for honesty when you show them the way forward. And sometimes the way forward is an exit from the field with a bit of dignity intact. But most of the time, a gentle nudge in the right direction will do the trick.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > nermal 09/21/2018 at 09:05

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Pretty much.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jonathan Harper 09/21/2018 at 09:07

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Yeah, I agree, but Mike said “even if you wrote a version on Oppo”, so I included it.