A writer is conducting a survey about how reporters use social media for work. The survey asks questions about use of Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and Pinterest for finding story ideas, sources, and posting about articles. It also asks what social media platforms reporters anticipate using in the future and what public information officers could do on social media to help reporters. The responses will be anonymous and aggregated to help land-grant university communicators better utilize social media in their work.

1. Dear,
I'm a writer with the communications office in the College of Food, Agricultural, and
Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, and I am hoping you can answer a
few questions to help with a research project on social media.
The Association for Communication Excellence is trying to help communicators at land-
grant universities figure out how to use social media in our efforts to help reporters like
you.
We will be reporting the results to other communicators from land-grant universities
(like Ohio State) and related organizations across the country. Your answers will not be
tied to you or your news organization, but will be reported in the aggregate.
I hope you have the time to respond. You can do it by email -- the survey is below. For
the multiple-choice questions, just put an X next to your response, or delete unsuitable
answers and leave behind the pertinent response -- whatever works for you is fine with
me.
Or, if you prefer to talk, let me know the most convenient time to call you. My schedule
is relatively flexible in the next week with a few exceptions. Just call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx
so we can get something on our calendars.
I'm hoping to get your survey response by next Thursday, Oct. 10.
Thank you for your consideration,
Xxx Xxxxx.
1. First, about Twitter: Do you use Twitter for professional purposes? Yes No
If yes:
Do you use Twitter to post about stories you've written?
Yes, almost all the time Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you get story ideas from reading posts on Twitter?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you find sources on Twitter?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you regularly follow hashtags on Twitter? Yes No

2. If yes: Could you share a few of them with me?
______ ________ _________
What time of day are you normally on Twitter?
____________________
2. Now, what about Facebook? Are you on Facebook for professional
purposes? Yes No
If yes:
Do you post about stories you've written?
Yes, almost all the time Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you get story ideas from Facebook?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you find sources on Facebook?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
What groups/organizations do you follow?
____________________
____________________
____________________
What time of day are you normally on Facebook?
____________________
3. Do you read any blogs for professional purposes? Yes No
If yes:
Do you get story ideas from blogs?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you find sources from blogs?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Can you tell me which blogs you find most useful and why?
________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. Are you on Pinterest for professional purposes? Yes No
If yes:
Do you post items on Pinterest to link followers to stories you've written?
Yes, almost all the time Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you get story ideas from looking at others' Pinterest pages?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
Do you find sources from Pinterest?
Yes, quite a few Sometimes No, hardly ever
What organizational Pinterest pages are most helpful for you?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
5. Are there other social media outlets you use or anticipate using in the future for
professional purposes?
6. As a public information officer, are there things I could be doing on social media that
would be helpful for you?
7. Are there other reporters or others in the media you think we should talk to as we
gather this information?
8. Finally, is there anything else about using social media professionally that you'd like to
mention that we haven't already discussed?
Thank you for responding. I really appreciate it.