Correct! These are all good ways to get your foot in the door and connect with factory workers.

Correct! Just because someone is quoted frequently does not mean they are a true expert – they may just be one of the easiest people to talk to. Do your part to find the real experts.

Correct! Manufacturing is a beat where the inner circle may not speak to you, and you have to rely on outlying sources, so when in doubt about the validity of the information, err on the side of caution until you have an additional source or more information to go on.

Correct!

Correct! The roots of a company often determine its corporate culture and its manufacturing processes. Don’t be afraid to ask sources for recommendations of where to look for additional information.

Correct! Factories exist throughout the country in small and large cities alike. In fact, some areas are so dominated by their manufacturers that they become company towns – a place where practically all stores and housing are owned by a single company that is also the main employer.

Correct! All of these can help you learn more and follow the money while covering the manufacturing beat.

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Correct! Especially when writing manufacturing stories, resist siding with one point of view over another. Do your best to stay neutral, otherwise you may be met with difficulty when covering future stories, as the side that feels alienated could refuse to speak with you.