Myrtle Beach newspaper seeks a retail reporter

Myrtle Beach is all about things to do, with dining and shopping options galore, non-stop tourist attractions and all of the outdoor activities you could ever want. The reporter on this beat will be the expert for our readers, guiding them through how to get the most of their community and must be able to find and break news, cover breaking news with urgency and develop compelling enterprise and analysis.

1. Provide consistent enterprise and takeout-level work on retail and restaurant trends, issues and happenings that affect the quality of life in Horry County. Must be able to complete deeply reported journalism with a big picture scope, with concepts such as: Can the major shopping venue survive without major change, new neighborhoods shifting from golf courses to health trails, how businesses brace for Spring Breakers, or the changing face of Ocean Boulevard. The reporter will also focus on compelling storytelling opportunities and generate copy that focuses on people, not just bricks and mortar.

1. Become the pre-eminent source of openings and closings and breaking news on the beat. This reporter will break news and respond quickly when another outlet breaks an opening or closing to remain competitive. This reporter will use Facebook live or other social media to further high-interest openings with live preview look-ins or tours.
2. Serve as our leisure/sports specialist, writing when needed on the most important and highest digital reader interest topics.

This reporter must be a fluent digital journalist with a mastery of headline, SEO and social media best practices. The reporter must be able to write content relevant, useful and engaging for our digital readership. This reporter may be asked to serve in other roles as needed because of breaking news, vacations, changing business needs, etc.

Qualifications:

• Strong writing and reporting skills and excellent news judgment;
• The ability to shoot passable photos and videos;
• Solid news judgment and excellent journalism ethics;
• Understanding of open records laws and the ability to file, manage and oversee requests pertinent to beat work;
• Ability to engage with readers and develop sources on social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter;
• Understanding of SEO and other optimization opportunities and a demonstrated ability to learn new skills in social and digital;
• Ability to correctly identify audiences for selected stories;
• A strong entrepreneurial spirit, deep curiosity and high energy;
• A collaborative style that works comfortably across teams spread throughout the office and company. We will work comfortably in a job that will be fast-paced, data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.
• Must have reliable transportation.  Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works).

• College degree preferred.
• At least 2 years of local news experience preferred

To apply, go here.