Do you want to write for Shanghaiist.com?
Site will be better than Star Wars III. I promise.
While in New York a few weeks ago, I had lunch with Jake Dobkin, publisher of the highly-successful Gothamist family of city blogs. We met at a bagel joint on 20th and 3rd. I had a very tasty Reuben and a Diet Coke. I can’t remember what Jake had, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jake and I decided to team up and launch Shanghaiist. It will be the first -ist site in Asia — and I’m confident it won’t be long before Shanghaiist is considered the best website about Shanghai on the internet.
I am in the process of of putting together the Shanghaiist team. Interested?
I’m looking for people who can write regular postings that people living in Shanghai would want to read. Topics will include — but definitely won’t be limited to — news, music, bars, restaurants, cooking, books, film, sports, theater, language, art, fashion, architecture, celebrities, clubbing, shopping, outdoors, fitness, internet, media. advertising, partying, technology, sex, gossip, real estate, design, history … all, obviously, with a Shanghai slant. We’re also looking for photobloggers.
To borrow directly from Gothamist’s “about” page: Shanghaiist is a website about Shanghai and everything that happens in it. That means news and events, restaurants and bars, happenings and goings-on.
The site will also include several regular features, similar to Gothamist’s Interview, Eat on the Cheap and Ask Gothamist. I am always open to new ideas, so if you have a unique one for a regular feature on Shanghaiist, please make me a pitch.
Shanghaiist’s contributors will be dynamic, creative and clued-in. And most important, they will know how to write. I know anyone can start up a blog — well, not everyone can write for Shanghaiist. We’re going to be choosy.
I imagine some of you have never heard of Gothamist (not everyone exists in the same internet bubble that I do, I am learning). So, if that is the case, I direct you to the Gothamist media kit. I also encourage you to visit the other -ist city sites: Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Washington DC.
So, what do you get for contributing to Shanghaiist? If money is what you are looking for, I’m sorry. Shanghaiist is a website, after all. But if exposure and the chance to establish yourself as a Shanghai “expert” are what you’re after, Shanghaiist can provide you that platform. The -ist sites attract several hundred thousand readers every month. And the number grows by about 20 percent on a monthly basis.
If you are interested in being part of the Shanghaiist team, let me know. In your email, please tell me a little bit about yourself, your areas of expertise or interest and what you think you can add to the Shanghaiist staff. Also, please direct me to some examples of your writing. Please scan through the other -ist sites before contacting me, so you have an idea what kind of stuff we’re looking for.
Stay tuned for more Shanghaiist updates. I’ll post ‘em when I’ve got ‘em.
14 Comments
I thought this *was* the Shanghaiist website…
DO potential team members have to be in Shanghai? Also, is Shanghaiist going to maintain a Shanghai City theme?
Do potential team members have to be in Shanghai?
Preferably.
Also, is Shanghaiist going to maintain a Shanghai City theme?
Yes.
Dan….Sign me up for the fitness gig. :)
This is a cool idea.I think the website will be the best local guide
Hi, I’m not in Shanghai but in Dalian. I have a blog at the above address which concerns life in China - if you like what you see, would you consider providing a mutual link?
cheers, Richard
This is a great idea Dan. I stumbled onto the -ist sites a few weeks ago through the Londonist and spent a good hour or two going through all the sites. I didn’t return though because while it was a good read, it didn’t have any relevance to the place I was staying in…Shanghai that is.
Would love to write…but am still contemplating on this. I’m still novice to the writing scene. How often would one have to post an update on the Shanghaiist though?
Does this mean you’re back in Shanghai now? :)
Yep, been back for a couple weeks now.
dude. what’s up with that. you know Haerbin is where it’s at. start one there and ill write for it.
I’d love to contribute to Shanghaiist - I’ll check out the other -ist sites and get back to you with proper details. In the meantime, you can take a look at one of my fotologs. www.fotolog.net/lolaboots (haven’t been able to upload as regularly because fotolog is always having some kind of tech tune-up)
p.s. the media kit link didn’t work for me
You allude to this being an ‘internet’ job, so it doesn’t pay. Really?
Hwa…somebody is making something, and it isn’t cookies. ;0)
Like your site. Sort of. Well okay, it’s oookay. Kind of. Maybe it’s a little bland for such a bright looking city (in promotional photos).
And, I’ll admit, the ‘free’ writing lacks some punch. No need to please the accounts department doth breed a lacklustre bunch. Try to inject a little more desperation. Maybe try the ‘starving english teacher’ daily column? They practically work for free. And it’s only teaching - no money in that either.
I’d apply, but I’ve only been to SH airport. Coming back for a few days this Wednesday. Maybe I’ll find my next job at the Cotton Club. ;0)
From the land of “we build it, you buy it” keep up the good work.