This document provides tips for using Twitter more effectively to promote news stories and increase engagement. It recommends including photos and videos in tweets, as they receive higher engagement rates than text-only tweets. The document also discusses using hashtags like #contexthashtags to provide more context, #socialhashtags to engage audiences on current topics, and #brandinghashtags to promote the news brand. Interacting with followers by asking questions and retweeting user content is also suggested to build loyalty and start conversations.

1. Twitter
Sophia Litwin

2. Lets Make Twitter as Popular as
Facebook!
Twitter Followers: 4,724
Facebook Likes: 56,7055

3. Use Photos
● Higher engagement rates
● More retweets
● Photos carry more influence than just text,
a photo is worth a thousand words
● Grabs users attention

4. Examples:
This…..is a lot more interesting than….this

5. Best Practices:
#1: The first thing reporters do when they get to a scene is snap a picture-it only
takes half a second!
#2: When we tweet the weather, include a screenshot from the weather update
(Especially with severe weather)
#3: Use photos in the tweet from the scene of the crime, ect.
*Don’t use generic photos-only ones that relate to the story*

6. Use Video
“Videos average a 28% boost in retweets in the
news industry.” -Twitter Statistics
● This is a new feature as of January 27th,
2015
● The shorter, the better...all twitter videos
have to be under 30 seconds.
● Use for breaking news, or on scene, like a
fire.

7. Best Practices:
#1: Reporters should make a “twitter tease”
which is under 30 seconds to post on twitter.
These would be similar to the facebook teases
#2: When something is ongoing, like a fire or a
parade, take video and post to twitter.

8. #Hashtags
● Context Hashtags
● Social Hashtags
● Branding Hashtags
“Searching for a hashtag on Twitter is a quick way of finding out what’s being
said right now about a particular topic.”-lorirtaylor.com

9. #1: #Context Hashtags
#LondonderryNH police have
arrested 4 men.
instead of…
Londonderry police have
arrested 4 men.

10. #2: #Social Hashtags
Examples:
● #Blizzard2015
● #NH1Football
● #FITN
● #POTUS2016
● #Decision2016
● #HeroinNH

11. #3: #Branding Hashtags
● #NH1News
● #NH1NewsInvestigates
● #NH1PoliticalPulse
● @ReportersName

12. Interact with Followers
● Build brand/follower loyalty by engaging
with our followers.
● Retweet and favorite pictures from local
events that we cover.
● EX: “Show us your super fan photos from
the game tonight by tagging #NH1Football”
(this can be used with many social
hashtags)

13. Start a Conversation
“Respond to the posts they (your followers) tweet with a question that sparks a
discussion. This has proven to be one of the most effective ways to get an
influencer to engage with you.”-Heyo.com

14. DON’T Cut off Tweets
Re-word tweets to
make them under
100 characters,
(this will be more
visually appealing
to users. This
would mean that
people would have
to physically tweet,
no automated
twitter.)

15. LINKS
Instead of using bit.ly
(which is a hidden link
to users), just copy and
paste the link to the
article, twitter will now
automatically make it
shorter.
Link looks mysterious
Nh1.com link

16. Best Practices:
● No automated Twitter
● Have reporters tweet their stories. When
articles are uploaded to facebook, also post
the story specifically for twitter.
● http://www.nh1.com/news/watch-raw-video-
released-from-inside-lancaster-circus-tent-
collapse/

17. Quotes about Photos
“Tweets with image links get 2x the engagement rate of
those without.” -Bufferapp.com
“I recommend using photos whenever possible to get more
retweets.”-Michelle, Managing Editor of KHOU Houston
“Pictures and video carry more influence than simple text or
links.”-Story Feed.com
“If the story doesn’t have a photo, don’t use a generic one.”
-Suggestion of KGW News in Portland,OR

18. References
Bar-Joseph, Uri. "5 Brilliant Ways to Use #Hashtags in Social Media Marketing." Search Engine Watch. N.p.,
10 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
Beth Cooper, Belle. "10 Surprising New Twitter Stats to Help You Reach More Followers - - The Buffer Blog." Buffer
Social. N.p., 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
Caffeine, Team. "The Only Hashtag Guide You’ll Ever Need." Social Media Consultant Social Media Agency Social
Marketing RSS. N.p., 15 July 2013. Web. 28 July 2015.
De Beule, Sofie. "The 80/20 Rule: Why Just 20% of Your Social Media Content Should Be About Your Brand." Social
Media Today. N.p., 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 28 July 2015.
Dholakiya, Pratik. "The Ultimate Guide to Using Twitter for Influencer Outreach - Heyo Blog." Heyo Blog. N.p.,
12 July 2013. Web. 25 July 2015.
Herzog, Ari. "10 Twitter Best Practices for 2014." SteamFeed. N.p., 07 Jan. 2014. Web. 28 July 2015.
Richter, Felix. "Infographic: Not Every Social Network Doubles as a News Source." Statista Infographics. N.p.,
19 Nov. 2013. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
"TV Stations and Networks." Twitter. Twitter, n.d. Web. 28 July 2015.