The CoinMinutes Mentorship Program: Developing the Next Generation of Writers

Understanding crypto is very hard most of the time. That is why well-qualified writers that can clearly explain the matter are highly demanded.

The problem? Most of the experienced journalists don’t get cryptocurrency and the majority of crypto experts are not good in writing. There is a vast opening for those writers who can make the connection.

It is precisely for this reason that we launched the CoinMinutes Mentorship Program in 2023. We connect the budding writers to our veteran journalists to help them get the hang of crypto writing.

I witnessed the struggle of new writers trying to get into this field. The use of technical terms is enough to frighten them away! Our program dismantles these walls, thus creating an easy way for talented writers to access crypto journalism.

The Need for Mentorship in Crypto Journalism

Have you ever tried to understand a blockchain article and not figured out what it was talking about? You are not the only one.

A study published recently revealed that 67% of the crypto-related articles have at least one technical mistake. That's a massive problem! Readers get bewildered, and incorrect info circulates.

How come that this is happening? As per the Reuters Institute, 82% of journalists say that the technical complexity is their main issue when dealing with the crypto topic. Several of them just completely turn away from the topic instead of risking an error.

On the other hand, the demand for crypto content creators has soared by 143% since 2021. The companies need the writers who quite this stuff, but there are not enough people who are qualified.

There is another issue related to the diversity of the crypto field. Just 24% of the crypto journalists are women. This means that a lot of the relevant points that come from the conversation are not being considered. 

Mentorship bridges the knowledge gap and empowers the next generation of crypto journalists.

Overview of the CoinMinutes Mentorship Program

At the beginning of 2023, CoinMinutes crypto started the program with 5 writers only. The idea was to test the waters - were we really able to get new writers to understand and be comfortable with crypto?

The result, however, was beyond all our expectations, and almost next to impossible. Now we have a 20-mentee intake per quarter, and the volume of applications keeps increasing.

Here is what the program opens to you:

• Access to One-on-One Mentoring Anytime with a CoinMinutes Writers’ Room Colleague
• Weekly Writing Assignments with Your Personal Detailed Feedback
• Cryptojargon Infusion & Investigation with Journalism Skills
• For Publishing Your Work on Our Platform
• Creating Relationships with Editors and Employers

We do not fear or discourage talented writers, such as journalists wanting to cover the cryptocurrency market, recent grads seeking a niche, or technically minded people desiring to improve their writing.

Diversity means a lot to us. At the moment, 58% of our mentees are female or non-binary individuals, and 47% of them are from underrepresented backgrounds.

The program head Maria Chen states, "We don’t require applicants to-have crypto comprehension." "What we want are better writers who are curious, and ready to learn. We can handle the crypto part," she adds.

How the Program Works

The program is simple to understand. Each week is comprised of:

• Knowing the crypto world by the day topic
• Doing a writing task to practice what you have learned
• Having a one-on-one session with the mentor for getting the feedback
• Being in a group conversation with the fellow mentees

Over the 12 weeks, the progress that you make will be monitored by your mentor and the latter will also help you put together a portfolio of work. In the end, you will have various polished pieces that certify your new skills.

Most of the mentees get CoinMinutes to publish their works during the program. This is a great opportunity to present yourself to potential employers.

According to Mark Tanaka, one of our mentors, "Each week I choose one area of improvement I concentrate on. One week it might be working on the simplification of technical concepts, and the next week it might be the creation of catchy headlines. The process of learning becomes manageable by breaking it down this way."

Curriculum and Learning Activities

We've designed the curriculum to build your knowledge step by step:

But it's not just reading and writing. You'll also work with other mentees to cover breaking news, meet guest experts, and track specific projects throughout the program.

Everything we teach has immediate practical use. As one graduate told me, "I never felt like I was learning theory for the sake of it. Every lesson directly improved my writing that same week."

Benefits for Mentees

What do you actually get out of the program? Well, the main thing is a job. Approximately 78% of our grads locate paid crypto writing jobs in less than 3 months after completing the course.

This is not a coincidence. The program is structured to deliver to you exactly what the editors are searching for:

• Quite a bit of tech knowledge to make the crypto articles you write to be factually accurate
• The skill of breaking down complex ideas into everyday language
• Links to media outlets that are hiring
• A profession that showcases the work which you are capable of

One of our recent graduates, Jamie, puts it this way: "Before the program, I used to refuse crypto assignments because I just didn't get it. Currently, I am the DeFi specialist and I make double the money that I used to from general assignments. The program paid for itself within two months."

From learning to earning: mentorship opens doors to new careers in crypto journalism.

Mentors' Perspective

Why does our writing staff volunteer to mentor? For most, it's about establishing the support system they would have wanted when they were starting.

To quote the chief writer David: "When I began writing about crypto in 2017, I had to do all the research by myself. There were no manuals, no mentors, nothing. So if I can be the one to make that path less difficult for someone else, that feels really good."

However, mentors also receive some benefits. Teaching requires them to be very clear about their own knowledge. The mentees' questions are new and sharp which gives them fresh ideas. Besides that, their professional network also grows through the connections they make with the mentees.

I am a writing coach, and I tell you that the process of breaking down difficult ideas for beginners has been a catalyst for my own writing to become better. A mentee's question "but why is it important?" forces me to remember to keep my work clear and relevant.

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Conclusion

The CoinMinutes Mentorship Program is a bridge connecting quality writers with the specific expertise needed for the crypto journalism field. Partly through one-on-one coaching and partly through on-the-job training, we are creating a new wave of writers who are able to make this intricate industry known in a simple and correct way.

For a writer, the program could be seen as a shortcut to a fascinating and untapped area of work, whereas the readers might find it as a sign of the coming of better and more truthful articles about the digital asset and the blockchain.

There will still be a need for good crypto writers in the future. As crypto continues to grow and evolve, the need for clear explanation will become even more valuable. Our mentorship program is a way for us to make sure that quality information keeps up with industry growth.

If you are a writer and want to become a professional in this field, or even if you are just someone who likes getting clear crypto content, you will be amazed at how far the influence of this program goes, way beyond just those who participate. Better crypto journalism is everybody's advantage.