For journalists and reporters, effective meeting notes are critical for accurate reporting, source verification, and meeting tight deadlines. This template is designed to help you capture every essential detail, from interview quotes to editorial decisions, ensuring no crucial information is missed.
Meeting Overview
e.g., 2024-10-27, 10:00 AM PST
Record the exact date and time the meeting took place.e.g., Interview, Press Conference, Editorial Meeting, Source Call
Specify the nature of the meeting for easy categorization.e.g., City Council Budget Debate, New Tech Startup Funding, Investigative Lead on Corruption
Briefly describe the main subject or story related to this meeting.e.g., Sarah Chen (Editor), Mark Davis (Reporter)
List internal team members present during the meeting.e.g., Mayor Thompson, Dr. Anya Sharma (Expert Witness), John Doe (Anonymous Source)
Identify all external individuals or sources involved in the meeting.Key Discussions & Quotes
e.g., 'The new policy will impact housing affordability for low-income families.' - Councilwoman Rodriguez
Summarize a key discussion point, including direct or paraphrased quotes.e.g., Expert opinion on climate change impact: 'We're seeing unprecedented warming trends.' - Dr. Lee
Capture the next significant discussion point with relevant attributions.e.g., 'Our department is fully committed to transparency.' - Police Chief Miller (for potential audio clip)
Note any particularly impactful quotes or soundbites for later use.Source Verification & Details
e.g., Jane Doe
Record the full name of the source providing information.e.g., CEO, Tech Innovations Inc.; Professor of Economics, State University
Note the source's professional affiliation or title.e.g., jane.doe@email.com, (555) 123-4567, Twitter: @JaneDoeOfficial
Document primary contact details for follow-up or verification.e.g., Off-the-record, Not for attribution, Embargoed until 11/15/2024 at 9 AM EST
Clearly state any confidentiality agreements or embargo restrictions.Action Items & Follow-ups
e.g., Fact-check claim about budget deficit with city finance department. (Due: EOD 10/28)
Detail a specific task to be completed, including who is responsible and a deadline.e.g., Schedule follow-up interview with lead researcher on new study. (Assigned to: Mark)
Outline the next step or follow-up required after the meeting.e.g., How will the new legislation affect small businesses? What data supports this projection?
List any unanswered questions that require further investigation.Editorial Decisions / Story Direction
e.g., Focus on human impact of policy changes, not just economic data.
Record the agreed-upon narrative or perspective for the story.e.g., 'City's Green Initiative Faces Funding Hurdles'; 'Local Activists Demand Accountability'
Jot down the most important conclusions or potential headlines.e.g., Draft outline by Tuesday, assign photographer for site visit.
Document the immediate next steps in the story's development.How to Use This Template
- Open the 'Meeting Notes Template' in CraftNote before your interview, press conference, or meeting.
- Fill in the 'Meeting Overview' section with essential details like date, topic, and attendees as the meeting begins.
- Actively type or dictate notes into the 'Key Discussions & Quotes' section, capturing direct quotes and attributing them accurately.
- Utilize the 'Source Verification & Details' section to log contact info and any confidentiality agreements for each source.
- Review the 'Action Items & Follow-ups' section immediately after the meeting to assign tasks and prioritize your next steps for reporting.
Customization Tips
- Add a 'Transcription Reference' field to link directly to audio/video files for full interview transcription.
- Create a 'Visuals/Multimedia Ideas' section to brainstorm potential photos, videos, or data visualizations relevant to the story.
- Include a 'Deadline Tracker' field to note specific publication deadlines or internal review dates for each story component.