I like to use the Help a Reporter Out (HARO) service to locate primary sources to vet, then interview. For example, I recently completed a project with a health supplement company and spoke to their two founders to get the inside scoop on their products and methods. I usually turn to a business owner or their executive staff. Help a Reporter Out : For some of my work, I like to conduct interviews to get firsthand information. The information they share comes directly from research labs, published studies and niche experts in the medical field, so I know I’m curating the most insightful, original data that I can as a researcher. The American Journal of Medicine : This is a peer-reviewed publication from the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine that represents medical schools and teaching hospitals across the United States and Canada. Here are a few examples of primary sources I trust. I’m a writer by trade, not a physician or dietician, so I turn to credible sources to enhance the content I create. I often create content in the health and wellness niches, so I rely on primary sources to fuel blog posts and ebooks relating to the latest developments and discoveries in everything from vegan sources of protein to how meditation physically affects our brains. Here are a few examples of primary sources: When in doubt, primary sources provide original, first-time created information stemming from credentials, whether they’re educational degrees, original research or firsthand experiences. Sourcing can become a slippery slope of information. The bulk of the prose is based on interviews and the research of others, with very little input from the author beyond synthesizing information from others. If they appear to be constructed with pieces of information stemming from a variety of external sources, they may actually be a secondary source, which we’ll explore shortly.įor example, think of a book you’ve read with an extensive bibliography. Not all primary sources are created equal. Autobiographical books, research reports and other published works.These are original works or firsthand accounts of experiences and discoveries such as:
When you’re not sharing a personal thought or idea (which should be clearly marked as an opinion for your readers), turn to primary sources. What are primary sources in content marketing? #contentmarketing Click To TweetĪ primary source is an original work or a firsthand account of an experience. Well-sourced content can do exactly that. Savvy readers want concrete, fact-based information that helps them make a decision or solve a problem. Guidelines on sourcing should be a part of your editorial style guide. As researchers, we rely on primary and secondary sources to add that credibility oomph that every editor wants to see in the words they polish for content marketing clients. But to authentically bolster their thought leadership and win over new consumers, it behooves them to dig deep and give their readers information that has depth beyond basic details or opinionated musings.
Why do we care about sourcing, again?īrands are experts in their respective fields. How you vet, cite and use sources matters.
Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. Journalists should take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. This textbook journalism mainstay also serves the content marketing community well since we both strive to engage and educate our readers with thoughtful, trustworthy content. I recall my journalism school professors driving home the importance of finding, using and citing quality sources to enrich our reporting and establish authority with our readers. I’m immediately reminded of my college days. As writers, how do we manifest such performance-driven content? One key pillar of this approach includes offering insightful, credible information that equally informs and inspires readers to take action or think more critically about a topic. secondary sources: What’s the difference? In general, primary sources are original works or firsthand accounts of experiences, while secondary sources are analysis, interpretation, or opinion about or based upon a primary source or sources.īuilding rapport founded on trust is paramount when nurturing a relationship with your audience.