Twitter can make you a better reporter

@ stevebuttry [email_address] Pottstown Mercury June 15, 2011 a better reporter can make you

Resources to help journo tweeps
“ Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com
“ Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog
These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry
Zombiejournalism.com

What ’s your social media strategy?

Why use Twitter?
It can save you time
It extends your reach
It’s an engaging, conversational tool
It’s great for connecting with eyewitnesses

Before the big story breaks
Follow lots of local people (NearbyTweets, replies, retweets, check followers)
Join local conversation
Master Twitter search (advanced)
Promote local #hashtag taxonomy (#okstorm)
Use Twitter routinely on your beat

Quakes, tornadoes, floods
Indonesia
Twitter HQ

When the big story breaks
Twitter Search (advanced)
Connect w/ witnesses
Crowdsource
Tweet early & often
Seek verification
Address rumors (say what you don ’t know)
Seek photos
Converse
Answer questions
Thank contributors
Promote fresh content
Link to new reports (even competitors ’)
Be human (fun where appropriate)

@statesman case study

Crowdsource

Say what you don ’t know

Converse w/ public

Link to fresh content

Routine beat coverage
Follow officials & agencies on beat
Twitter Search (advanced)
Hashtags (regular & spontaneous)
Lists (Twitter, TweetDeck, HootSuite)
Breaking news
Crowdsourcing
Liveblog (feeding in tweets)

Sports coverage
Follow athletes, coaches, teams, bloggers
Find and follow fans
Follow, promote hashtags
Crowdsource questions for interviews
Liveblog games, feeding in tweets
Feed tweets into stories

People to follow
Look for sources (find people)
Ask sources
Journalists in other communities
When someone follows you, check out to see whether you should follow back
When you follow someone, check whom they follow
Tweeps mentioned in interesting tweets

Ethical considerations
How do you identify yourself?
Ask skeptical questions
Seek verification
Ask question, don ’t repeat rumor
Correct quickly

Questions?
Ask questions now or by email ( [email_address] ) or
DM (@stevebuttry)

Twitter can make you a better reporter

by Steve Buttry

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