Running from class to class, activity-to-activity, collegiettes lead very busy lives. In fact, sometimes we are so busy that we don’t have a lot of time to read and find out what is going on outside the Bucknell Bubble. Well collegiettes, not to worry because there is a new way to read the news. theSkimm, founded in 2012 by Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, is a great way to get major headline news fast. The current events newsletter really does stick to its motto, “We read. You Skimm.” theSkimm does all of the major reading for you and then sends out a daily e-mail with the highlights. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview one of the cofounders of theSkimm, Danielle Weisberg, to find out what inspired this great idea.
- For our readers who have never heard of theSkimm before, how would you explain what theSkimm is?
theSkimm is the best way to wake up and get an edge on your day, in the form of a daily e-newsletter. We do the reading for you — across subject lines and party lines — and break it down with fresh editorial content. We give you the information you need, the way you want it.
- What inspired you to create theSkimm?
theSkimm came from our friends — busy, highly educated, successful women who needed to stay informed but didn’t have the time to comb through all of the information out there or necessarily the interest to venture outside of their field. As two former NBC News producers, who also grew up as total news junkies, it was our job to stay in the know. We were acting as an information concierge to our friends who needed a quick rundown on what was going on in the world for that meeting, interview, date, family dinner, etc.
- The icon on your homepage looks like a professional woman reading theSkimm from her electronic device. Would you say theSkimm is geared more towards women than men?
theSkimm is for anyone who is busy and needs information. We do not believe that news is gender specific and have a growing base of male Skimm’rs.
- How does theSkimm work? Do multiple authors research topics and write the highlights or is it one-person show?
theSkimm is a two-woman band right now. We are the CEO/CFO/HR/IT/Editorial/PR/Marketing/Tech/Janitorial team. However, we are looking to expand our team in the coming months.
- We love how you tell it straight to readers. For example,“What to say when someone steps in front of you on the coffee line…” Has someone ever stepped in front of you on a coffee line or have you been in any other scenario under “repeat after me”? If so, did you actually say the provided response?
Ha, we would love if this happened! We haven’t heard it directly yet, but we’ve heard many stories of girlfriends getting drinks and bringing up a topic, only to find out that their friend also Skimms. Also, we’ve had many guy friends tell us that reading theSkimm has helped on a date but we won’t provide details on that.
- Part of your definition for theSkimm on your website reads, “simplifies the headlines for the educated professional”. But do you think theSkimm is helpful to others as well, say college students? What demographic are you specifically targeting, if you are at all?
Our target demo is millennial women, so women 22-34 that are busy. However, we definitely reach out of that demo to college students who love to use theSkimm to get through interview prep and current events tests. We also skew towards working and stay at home moms as well.
- What piece of career advice would you give to young women graduating college?
Network! Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people and always, always send a follow up email.
There we have it, collegiettes. Keep up with what’s going on in the news and subscribe to theSkimm (www.theskimm.com) This way, next time you’re at the dinner table, on an interview or out with friends you’ll be able to start the conversation and impress everyone with your knowledge on the most current events.
Check out theSkimm on Twitter @theskimm and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSkimm
Also, instead of flipping through the newspaper or turning on the TV for the news, check out some other ways to get the news fast:
- Download a news app from the app story and sign up for push notifications from NBC, CNN, CBS or ABC to get the most recent/important news. You don’t even have to open up the app! You will be notified with highlights and the most breaking news in a brief 1-2 sentence.
- Follow ABC, NBC, CBS or CNN on Twitter to get the most recent news. We all scroll through twitter feed whether we are procrastinating homework in the library or waiting on the wrap line at the Bison. Stay in the know by adding in breaking news between friend’s tweets, HerCampus and those random, but hilarious accounts.
- The New Yorker on Tumblr http://newyorker.tumblr.com The New Yorker itself is a pretty lengthy magazine, but check them out on Tumblr.com to see some cool quotes, pictures and cartoons.
- Check out, Headslinger. (www.headslinger.com) This website allows you to scan the headlines of your favorite news sources in seconds then store these sources in folders so it is easily accessible. In addition, you can share what you’ve been reading with friends.
- Download the free app SkyGrid to your iPhone or iPad. This app allows you to view different news articles, websites etc. and choose which you want to follow. Then you can find all of the news on topics you care about in one spot under “Your News”.