Fancy being called a ‘journalist’ but simply don’t have the time, patience or knowledge to write an in-depth article regarding important social issues that furthers the national conversation?

No worries. Start your lucrative career in citizen journalism by writing any one of these 10 stories.

1. The Public Transport Story

Sample headline: Elderly woman refuses to give up seat for other elderly woman

This is one story every rookie STOMPer starts off with early in his/her career. An easy scenario to capture, especially if you are among the thousands of unhappy faces on the MRT/Bus each day.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low, everyone will be taking a picture, so there is a very low chance you get singled out

2. The Fighting Story

Sample headline: “Three men fight each other whilst peeing at urinals”

Slightly more experienced and battle-hardened STOMPers develop the tenacity and courage to capture fights (instead of stopping them). More points if the people involved are: of different ethnicity, nationality, gender, occupations, organisational levels. Oh yes, a flying kick or two wouldn’t hurt.

Risk-to-reward ratio: High, you might get involved and company policy does not cover injury while carrying out duties of citizen journalists

3. The Social Media Brainfart story

Sample headline: “Minister takes selfie whilst driving and pooping at the same time.”

Anton Casey. Jesslyn Tan. Heather Chua.  Astute citizen journalists have an eye for these foot-in-mouth situations. Relatively low-risk jobs that offer high rewards if done correctly.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low, its super safe to hide behind a screen. Make sure you be as anonymous as possible. Hide behind a pseudonym.

4. The Marketing Campaign Gone Wrong Story

Sample headline: “A&W Singapore takes down video after it offends cat owners”

Listen up all you marketing people. Here’s how to get Singaporeans really talking about your brand. Bad is the new good. Warning: might cause irreversible damage.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low. If you find it bad, chances are tons of people will too. Unless you’re in the company that came up with the campaign.

5. The Serious Cosplayer story

Sample headline: “Jon Snow-lookalike arrested at Orchard MRT”

Granted, its not everyday you run into a half-boob baring, katana-wielding cosplayer, but if manage to find such an individual, prepare for your career prospects to skyrocket. Who knows? You might be made Chief Citizen Journalist before you’re 70!

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low to High, Dependent on cosplayer.

6. The Uniformed Personnel Story

Sample headline: “NSF spotted digging nose in public”

Other than defending our nation and helping those in need, SAF and SCDF personnel are also good sources of news. Everything they do seems to be newsworthy and a magnet for STOMPers. Keep your eyes peeled and you will see opportunities are all around you. NSF drinks water on the train? Take a picture. NSF sleeps on the bus? Take a picture. NSF has funny initials on his name tag? Take a picture. NSF takes pictures of other NSFs taking pictures? … you get the idea.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low, uniformed personnel generally don’t beat up people for taking pictures. Though your soul might rot in hell for doing so.

7. The “Criticise Singaporeans” Story

Sample headline: “Singaporeans are the most kiasu people on earth, survey finds”

The only people that are allowed to criticise Singaporeans? Singaporeans themselves, with a few notable exceptions. *cough* Steph Micayle *cough*. Its no surprise then, that everytime foreigners say something about Singaporeans, we experience this huge knee-jerk reaction to defend ourselves vehemently.  The veteran citizen journalist knows how to exploit this weakness, and turn it into a story.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low to medium. Singaporeans that disagree with you might stalk you and write a counter-campaign against you.

8. The Traffic Story

Sample headline: “Road bully pees on victim’s car after he nearly causes accident”

Incidents involving vehicles are a sure-way to attract the attention of Singaporeans, especially those seeking a lucky break on Toto or 4D. You will find that owning a Class 3 license will do wonders for your career in citizen journalism.

Risk-to-reward ratio: High. We do not recommend being a citizen journalist and a driver simultaneously

Special Mention: The Waterspout Story

Sample headline: “Crowd flees as water spouts looms over Tanjong Beach”

Water spouts have been a frequent occurrence in Singapore since 2007 (perhaps even earlier), hanging out near our shores and generally minding their own business. Despite being established as a completely normal feature of Singapore’s climate, waterspouts remain as popular as ever among citizen journalists. STOMP featured waterspouts at least thrice last year.

That’s like taking pictures of your favourite SBS Bus driver every time you see him over period of 6 years? Weird? I think so.

Risk-to-reward ratio: Low, waterspouts don’t hurt nobody’

He Ruiming made his fortune early in his life in citizen journalism in the dark alleys of Gotham City. He sold his start-up, STAMP, to Bruce Wayne as of 2012 for a whopping S$1.30.

Top photo from Dazza.

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