Intro to Social Media for Journalists

Journalists and Social Media Mandy Jenkins @mjenkins mjenkins@digitalfirstmedia.com LANG Extravaganza, March 2012

Dont Be This Guy

8 Rules of Social Journalism1. Respond to replies, comments and questions(especially questions) everywhere2. Be transparent in all you do3. Ask for help when you need it4. Be thankful

8 Rules of Social Journalism5. Make corrections quickly and publicly6. Address criticism without spats7. Be consistent8. Dont just push your content out, share otherlinks too

Twitter for Journalists

Not just what you had forbreakfast...● Post links w/ comment or question, not headline● Monitor the people you cover● Crowdsource stories by asking for info● Quickly find witnesses, info with search● Live report from the scene of a news event● Show your work

Its All About Who You Follow

Who you should follow● Your competitors (& bloggers too)● People on your beat● Popular people in your local Twittersphere● Those who reply to you● Those who re-tweet, share your links

Finding who to follow● By subject/location: Twellow.com, Wefollow.com● NearbyTweets.com● Muckrack.com (for finding journalists)● Look at others’ follows/followers● Spy on Twitter lists● Listorious.com

Got Tweeters Block?● Ask for info/feedback from followers on a story you wrote or are working on● Re-tweet tweets you like● Tweet what you’re reading● Jump in on other conversations

Why Use #Hashtags?•Find other sources•Expand your audience•Organize content (for feeds & contacting)

Before You Hashtag•Search for hashtag(s) already in use•If a hashtag is already in use, adopt it•If not, choose one that’s simple & unique (doquick search first)•Geographic abbreviation helps (#CAstorm)•Geographic better than branded (#CApoliticsbetter than #PTpolitics)

Go Live For Breaking News

When Live-Tweeting● Warn followers in advance● Mix play-by-play with context, background● Think value over white noise● Take questions when possible● Note long breaks

Search Tweeps & Content● Search by keywords, location, time● Search before the stream is overtaken by reaction

When You Find Leads● Connect with eyewitnesses, get contact info● Follow who you reach out to● Have them wait for a reporter on scene● Verify!

Journalists on Facebook

Profiles Pages● One place to manage ● Completely separate everything presence from profile● Control your privacy ● Completely public● Timeline design with ● Timeline design with large image large image● Could mix ● Detailed analytics to personal/professional see who visits

Going Public On Facebook●Turn on Subscriptions: Anyone can read your public posts●Set up a vanity url at facebook. com/username● Add your job history and a snappy bio to About section (and make it public)

Build Friends Lists facebook.com/bookmarks/lists

Custom Privacy Settings

Target updates

Everyone Sees It Differently

Create An Engaging Presence Take advantage of timeline with photos, milestones and videos

Whatever You Like● What would you share on Facebook?● Ask questions, feature the responses in stories● During news, you cant overpost● Photos and videos work well

Whatever You Like

Wording Matters●Posed Questions +64%●Call to read or take a closer look +37%●Personal reflections +25%●Clever, catchy tone +18%% more feedback over averageSource: Facebook

Images Matter

Google+: Do It For The SEO

Primp that Profile

Link Your Profile to GoogleNewsUnder your profile settings: ● Add the email address linked to your byline on your website ● Make sure your workplace/title are public ● Link to your blog, articles ● Link to other social accounts

Make Circles to FollowSources

Interviews, Chats by G+Hangout

FollowTrends, TrackNews

THANKS! Mandy Jenkins mjenkins@digitalfirstmedia.com @mjenkins Blog: Zombiejournalism.comThese slides & more at slideshare. net/mandyjenkins

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Intro to Social Media for Journalists

by Mandy Jenkins

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