Architectural journalism is not about telling people what they want to hear, but rather offering in-depth stories that focus on the achievements and contributions of professional architects.

Architects are always working hard to push the boundaries of architectural creativity, so it makes sense to tell their story more than once.

As professionals, we’re often too focused on our own careers to devote time to others’ success. It takes someone with a passion for architecture to create inspiring works that appeal to other architects as well as non-architects.

That person is an architect who writes about buildings, design, and the field. They use formal journalistic techniques to produce quality content while still staying true to the profession.

There are many ways to be an effective writer, but being concise without boring the reader is one of the trickiest. Journalists know how to do this!

Writing for an audience can also give you a better perspective on the subject. An architect may feel overwhelmed by all the new terms and concepts needed to describe his or her area of practice. A journalist will take care of these things for you.

This article will go into detail on some easy ways to start writing about architecture. You don’t need any experience as long as you are able to write short paragraphs and talk about topics you are familiar with.

Build a website

A nice, professional looking website is a great way to begin architectural journalism. You can create your own site or you can choose from several free platforms that are similar to yours. There are many ways to get more engagement by designing interactive pages and features for people to enjoy.

Having an online presence gives you a platform to share your expertise with the world. Your followers will be able to read your articles, see your work, and connect with you!

Your website should look professionally done. Make sure to use good web design software to achieve this. People will want to contribute to your page and help spread your message if it looks sloppy or difficult to navigate.

Many times bloggers will offer their services to other publishers as “web designers” so make sure to check out these links! They may even provide you with a special invite code so you can test their service first.

Create engaging content

Being an architecture journalist means creating interesting, well-written material about the field. Whether you are writing for a website or print magazine, your readers will be seeking more of your style and approach.

You can make sure yours is always fresh by staying up-to-date with current developments in your area and beyond.

Reading other people’s work and looking at examples of great journalism will help you find your voice as a writer.

A good way to start is to read through our what being an architect means article before diving into setting up your own platform as a publisher.

After all, publishing isn’t just about telling stories, it’s also about marketing products and services!

Good marketers know how to promote their product using different channels and media, which may include blogs, social media, printed materials and so on.

The same goes for architects – you should never stop promoting yourself or your practice!

Promoting your business doesn’t mean talking about yourself every single minute, but instead sharing informative tidbits that feature your expertise and connect with your audience.

If you’ve got something smart to say, let others know about it. But don’t try to be famous – fame is a fleeting thing.

Instead strive to be well-respected and regarded within your community or area of specialization.

Guest blog with expert tips

As we continue this journey together, there are many other ways you can contribute as an architect journalist or editor. Writing for publications is a great way to hone your craft and grow your portfolio.

Writing about architecture is quite different than writing about most other subjects. There’s no clear topic or formula for each article.

That said, some common themes emerge when writing about buildings and cities — such as how architects create spaces that promote interaction, use of natural light, and overall appeal.

These concepts apply not only to interior space but also to outdoor environments like gardens or squares. Plus, writers must be familiar with basic terminology related to architectural styles, materials, and shapes.

In this guest post, I will share my secrets for becoming a better writer while showcasing several unique opportunities for professional development through publishing.

Create a brand

As with any type of creative work, being able to identify your style is a great way to begin creating your identity as an architect journalist. What works for other architects’ blogs may not work for you!

Your style should be identifiable by colors, fonts, or both. Yours shouldn’t be too flashy, but it should be bold enough to get attention.

You can use this information to create a unique style that fits you well, or find ways to improve what you already have!

As seen above, Mathew is very passionate about architecture and knows how to convey that through his writing and design styles. He also uses color effectively to emphasize important points.

Get a website certificate

Now that you have your domain name, web hosting account, and professional looking WordPress installed, it’s time to start thinking about how to architecture journalism.

The first thing you will want to do is get yourself an architectural profile or architect credential. This would be either a membership in The Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) or the Architect Registration Council of Australia (ARCA), or certification as a member from one of these bodies.

You should also make sure your email address is easily accessible so if memberships are via RAIAsite or ARCACertified, for example, then use emails associated with those domains.

Lastly, depending on which body you join, there may be another person who can help give you the credentials necessary to begin archiving. Both ARCI and RAI allow people who have already qualified to connect with like-minded individuals to aid them in their career.

These connections can include helping them design their portfolio, offering advice, giving recommendations, etc.

Publish on the internet

After you have designed your article, it is time to publish it! While there are plenty of ways to market an architecture website, one of the most effective methods is to put out content that people will want to read.

With the ease of publishing via free or paid blogging platforms like Blogger and WordPress, this has become much more common. People who love design may even choose to create their own blog site using a pre-made template or theme.

This can be done for free if they do not make any money from advertising or through affiliate marketing. Many large companies also offer a premium package which includes additional features such as domain names, professional looking hosting, and so forth.

Generalist sites with lots of content are perfect for promoting an architect’s business because they are likely to attract new readers who are just looking for inspiration.

Host a podcast

After you have done your research, gathered insights, and developed your voice as an author, it is time to start publishing! The easiest way to do this is by hosting your own podcast.

You can choose from many free software or subscription services that make it easy to launch and host a show. Many of these offer lite versions for individuals who are just starting out.

By having your own podcast, you will get to showcase yourself and what you have to say through audio content. Your audience will be able to listen to you at their convenience, which helps you develop your community.

Your audience can follow you on all the major platforms like iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher, making it very accessible. You can even create your own listening platform!

Many people use podcasts as a form of entertainment while they are getting ready for work, traveling, or simply cleaning house. There are also plenty of business professionals that use them as a tool to promote themselves or their field.

But beyond those purposes, there is truly no better way to learn about society, politics, and technology than by listening to others’ stories and exploring the implications in depth.

Public radio seems to have lost its luster due to budget cuts and corporations taking over the airwaves, but before then, public radio was a powerful medium.

Heck, NPR alone has made significant contributions to media literacy and critical thinking.

Be honest always

As mentioned before, being an architecture journalist is not like being an architect or a journalist that covers other subjects — you get paid more for having expertise in one field. Plus, it’s probably harder than writing about sports!

So, how can you become an expert in architectural journalism? By keeping your mouth shut and doing what you know is right. You must be able to describe a building from top to bottom without using any jargon or terms that only architects use. (This is especially important if you are describing very artistic or conceptual buildings.)

And while most architects will happily answer questions about their work, some may feel uncomfortable talking about trends, influences, or even whether their designs made sense. A good source to ask would be colleagues of theirs who have media credentials.