April Event Calendar for Journalists and Bloggers

Welcome to Blogger Events, a monthly column of what’s happening in the blog world. If you have an event you’d like featured, reach out to the Beyond Bylines team via Twitter at @BeyondBylines.

As we head into the second quarter, check out these upcoming events for journalists and bloggers. Whether you’re looking to boost your skills in investigative journalism, DIY blogging, or travel writing, there’s something on this list for you.

Did we miss an event? Let us know in the comments!

Anytime: Mental Health and Journalism Toolkit

April is Stress Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to check out these resources from the International Journalists’ Network. It’s a mix of reports and podcasts that cover a range of topics, including PTSD and digital wellness.

Anytime: How to Better Market Investigative Stories

This is a recording of a recent webinar from the Global Investigative Journalism Network. “Powerful, in-depth journalism has maximum impact when it’s smartly distributed and reaches a broad audience. That’s why it’s fundamental that journalism organizations learn how to build, engage, and maximize audiences.” During the webinar, the expert panel focuses on practical ways to ensure basic strategies and tools are in place to maximize engagement.

Anytime: Informing the public on the promise and perils of algorithms

The Society of Professional Journalists hosted this webinar in mid-March. During the event, the panel discussed the growing issue of government use of algorithms to make major decisions. These range from education funding to deciding who gets a COVID-19 vaccine first. Panelists look at how algorithms are constructed, the bias baked into them, and how reporters can educate the public about them.

April 5-6: Design Influencers Connect

The Design Influencers Conference is offering three virtual events that act as the “intersection of interior design and the world of new media including blogging, social media, e-commerce, digital branding, book publishing, line promotion, and more.” Registration is free for all three Connect events. The end of both days of the event will feature a Speed Networking session, in which attendees are randomly paired for 5-minute face-to-face chats before being paired with someone else.

April 16-17: Pinners Conference & Expo (Atlanta)

The Pinners events are designed to help attendees learn, create, and connect. There will be more than 200 shops and 100 classes to choose from. It will be taking place at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. Classes cover a range of DIY crafts, including weaving, vinyl adhesives, and calligraphy.

April 20-24: Women in Travel Summit Online

The Women in Travel Summit is a place for travel experts to “discuss future innovations, build dynamic collaborations, and change travel worldwide, all while supporting and empowering a dynamic community of women and gender diverse people.” Bloggers and content creators will have access to the sessions and keynotes, 1:1 virtual meetings with brands, and virtual tours. The tours allow attendees to “travel” safely while staying home in exchange for content creation. A Beginner Bootcamp is available for those new to blogging and content creation.

Plan ahead for these upcoming events for journalists and bloggers:

May 18-June 8: Fundamentals of Investigative Journalism

This four-week seminar will be hosted by Poynter and taught by ProPublica assistant managing editor Alexandra Zayas. Attendees will analyze existing investigations and learn how to apply the strategies to their own reporting. You’ll learn how to choose the right story, access the information, and craft a story around it. This seminar regularly sells out, so apply soon!

May (TBD): #WeAllGrow Summit

The #WeAllGrow Summit hosts Latina creators, entrepreneurs, influencers, and media that are “aligned with investing in our collective power.” The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic and there are plans to reschedule it for May 2021. A date hasn’t been announced yet, but we wanted to include it on the list in case you are interested in following the site for updates.

June 14-25: High School Journalism Program (apply now!)

This is another popular online program from Poynter. Attendees will build their portfolio with a personal essay, audio package, and video-based fact check. Other topics will cover journalism ethics, storytelling, and understanding misinformation. The program aims to “give young people the chance to learn about writing and develop a passion for the values and craft of journalism.” You can apply by May 17, 2021.

Make sure to bookmark our calendar of upcoming events for journalists and bloggers. 

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Rocky Parker is the manager of Audience Relations at PR Newswire. Check out her previous posts for Beyond Bylines and connect on LinkedIn. When she’s not working, Rocky typically can be found cooking, binge-watching a new show, or playing with her puppy, Hudson.