Friday, May 14
Show them the Money!
Finding personal financeangles on any beat
Today’s agenda:
Financial services
Storytelling methods
Show them the money! Finding personal finance angles on any beat
The $even Dimensions of Personal Finance
Question:We’ve been talking about the Seven Dimensions
checklist for a few days now. Have any of you used it to come up with story ideas on your particular business beats?
Please answer Y or N
Finding consumer stories in the financial services sector
Show readers what their accounts cost
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/banking/2009-09-30-checking-account-fees-rise_N.htm
Financial services
Earning Interest-bearing accounts
Rewards cards, rewards checking
Perks and protection from credit cards
Careers: Know the credentials ~ CFP, CFA, CPA, broker, planner, adviserSales vs. expertise
Financial services
Spending: Deposit account fees
Credit cardsTypes of issuers Secured vs. unsecured Gift cards, pre-paid cardsCredit card reform – statement formats, etc.
www.creditcards.com
Financial services
Saving: Deposit accounts, institutionsOnline, alternative banksPromos and perksFed and interest rates
Low rates harm savers
Financial services
Borrowing: Secured loans – home, car, HEL, etc.
Personal loans
Finance companies
Rent-to-own
Payday loan / Cash advance
Pawn shops
Microlending
Islamic lending
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/BetterBanking/BetterBankingDyn.aspx?cp-documentid=23492948
Financial services Investing Again, sales vs. advice – much overlap
Markets
Buy-and-hold vs. trading
Types of accounts & hidden expensesAnnuities and insurance as investments
Consumer protection
Non-securities investing – coins, metals, commodities
Beware dispensing investment adviceExperts may contribute to special features, packages
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/retirement/2010-04-30-401k28_CV_N.htm?csp=34
Financial services
Taxes Taxable vs. non-taxable accounts
Employer-sponsored account policies, procedures
Converting taxable to non-taxable
Inherited retirement accounts
MRDs
Financial services
Risk Inappropriate or bad advice
Products such as cancer insurance, pre-paid legal
Institutional failure
Investor education
Consumer protection
Death and divorce – pensions, SS, etc.
Scams
Elderly
http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/108836/6-ways-employers-will-change-401ks-in-2010?mod=retire-401k
Question:
Does anyone in the group currently write a blog, column, Q&A or other first-person feature?
Please answer Y or N
Big piece of art
To readers, nothing is sexier than a dollar sign!
You’ll become a reader resource
Objective stories are helpful, informative
Other styles offer more leeway for advocacy and accessiblity – address the reader directly
Columns – watchdog, humor, umbrage
Blogs – tips, quick hits, informal, interactive
Q & A – access to experts, executives, gurus
Book, magazine and website reviews
Diaries – readers share personal experience
Infographics – digestible, clip-and-save
Calculators , quizzes, checklists
Layer and link related coverage
Personal finance storytelling
http://moneycentral.msn.com/personal-finance/
Personal finance storytelling
Financial makeovers:Labor-intensiveStrict methodology Beyond voyeurism SnapshotNarrative, personalActionable Follow-up
The $even Dimensions of Personal Finance
Thanks for participating!
Please feel free to e-mail me with additional questions and suggestions at [email protected].
Show them the money! Finding personal finance angles on any beat
