This week, unexpected things happened.

That’s right. We finally figured it out. After months and months of laboring over video styles, lengths, level of multimedia editing, and storytelling techniques, I can’t believe it was right under our noses all this time.

I have to admit, I was hellbent on making it work the way I had ideally thought it should. I always believed learning is slow, and so information should be explained thoroughly and lengthily. Unfortunately, our longer videos weren’t doing as well as I’d hoped, certainly not well enough for the amount of work that went into them. From the research phase, to writing the script, sourcing multimedia, putting it all together and then resizing for smaller snippets to market the full video, the costs were outweighing the benefits.

We decided to take a bold chance and try something new. I pulled out a chunk of a transcript from a longer video that was at the 1 minute 30 seconds mark, and it translated to exactly 230 words based on how fast I spoke. I then created a short article on Imran Khan and transformed it into a script. I tasked Fiza, one of our investigative writers, with sourcing multimedia. This was our very first video of the kind, so we were all just winging it. Fatima, the lead producer, pieced everything together quickly, because the only way this would work was a quick turnaround. The faster we could create a video, the more relevant we could be. And voila!

The video did well on ALL platforms. Just as I thought it would.

Looking back though, there is a very important reason as to why I was hesitant towards soundbites. I never wanted TMJ News to give bite-sized information on such large topics. I often felt that many news organizations broke news without giving context as well as sources, and I wanted TMJ to be a game changer when it came to connecting the dots.

So keeping these concerns in mind, and understanding that the way viewers best consume information today is through short videos, I decided to write the scripts a certain way. And that’s why each video would need to be a TMJ masterpiece. Creating articles, and then shortening them to 230 words was most definitely an art not for the faint of heart. Each word could be shaved off if it meant ensuring that the time was accurate. So it became a matter of not what to say, but how to say it.

So this week has been exciting to say the least, because we finally figured out what we’ve been testing and trying all along. It’s like that last piece of a lego set, everything finally comes together. I am just glad we figured it out before April 7th, which marks our official one year hard launch anniversary at TMJ News.

However, pivoting to shorts also means keeping the calendar on track for the longer reports, written pieces and investigative exclusives. Breaking news stories still get posted as written pieces, and our three shows ‘For God and Country’, ‘The Blue Sofa Talks’ and ‘Muslims of the Melting Pot’ will be continuing as usual with exciting guests lined up. If anything, the shorts are an addition to our already busy calendar.

I think the main thing now is figuring out how to make money for TMJ, a difficult feat for journalists indeed. Is there a pivot button for that?

Your Editor,

Zainabrights

TMJ is 100% reader funded

Our mission at TMJ is to fill gaps in media when it comes to untold stories, elevating minority voices and covering news and its impact holistically. We seek to uphold high journalistic values with utmost editorial independence, which means we rely on our readers to support our work.We are 100% reader funded and supported.

If you value what we publish and agree that our world needs alternative voices in media, please consider becoming a Patron. Check out our Patreon’s details below News Round-up 👇

News Round-Up

TMJ’s Patreon

At TMJ News, we're not just Muslim journalists - we're truth-seekers. We believe in the power of honest and trustworthy reporting to make a real difference in the world. And we know that you believe in it too. That’s why TMJ is 100% reader and viewer funded to ensure that our work is free from outside influence and that we can continue to deliver the truth.So, how you can best support TMJ on this mission? By joining us on Patreon.

As you become a Patron, your contributions and support show us that the need for quality journalism still exists and this is what keeps us going.

Can you guess this week's riddle?

We should never miss a chance to solve a fun riddle on a Sunday. So, here we go:”I am a place of ancient roots,

My history is long and deep.

I have been fought over for centuries,

Yet my beauty and spirit still seep.

My people are proud and resilient,

Their strength is known far and wide.

Despite the struggles and hardships they face,

Their spirit will never subside.

My name may be a mystery to some,

But to those who know me well,

I am a land of endless possibility,

A place where dreams can swell.

What am I?”

If you have an answer reply with your best guess. The correct answer will be revealed in our next Newsletter. 😉P.S: The answer to the last week’s riddle is ‘Breath’. Had you guessed it right?

And that's a wrap for this week! We hope you’re healthy and safe today while having your morning coffee.

👉Forward this newsletter to your friends and family so they stay informed on world issues with accurate and trustworthy coverage.*To ensure that you continue to receive worldwide news & our updates, please add our email address to your contacts or mark our newsletter as 'not spam' or move it from the 'promotions inbox' to your 'primary inbox'.

Copyright (C) " target="_blank">unsubscribe