This document provides guidance on writing for social media. It recommends tweeting during class at least 3 times using hashtags to discuss the topic. When tweeting, keep messages brief under 140 characters and consider images. Opinions are acceptable for some roles but know your organization's policies. Social media can be used as a reporting tool to find sources and verify information. When breaking news, share verified facts and what is unknown. Hashtags help with search and conversation. Crowdsourcing from social media also benefits reporting. Practice condensing ideas into tweets to improve concise writing. Famous speeches and sayings are shown condensed into tweets.

1. Writing for Social Media
@stevebuttry
LSU Media Writing Class
November 2, 2015

2. Tweet during class
• At least 3 tweets #manship2010
• Use your account & post if you want
• Write on laptop or notebook & don’t
post if you prefer
• No more than 140 characters
• You decide content: quote, commentary,
question, photo, observation, etc.

4. Whatever your platform …
• Get to the point quickly
• Keep it brief (even if not limited)
• Consider images & make writing fit w/
photo or video
• Consider tone (what will make people
want to RT, share, engage?)
• Rewrite

5. Opinions in social media
• Opinions aren’t inherently bad
journalism (editorials, columns, cartoons,
commentary, etc.)
• Opinions can be troublesome for some
journalists in some positions or orgs
• Know whether opinions are appropriate
for your media role

25. therealverge
on Snapchat

26. Tanya Sichynsky,
USA Today

29. Social media = journo tool
• Monitored competition
• Found neighbor who tweeted at TV
station
• Checked neighbor’s Facebook page
• Found post w/ neighbor’s email
• Reporter tracked down neighbor, got
story & more photos

33. Social media as a source
• How do you know a source is genuine?
• How does the source know?
• Check photos, location, timeline for
context, clues
• Ask to call you or connect in person
• Grab screenshots

34. • Posting too often
annoys friends, fans
• No 140 limit but
short is best
• Good questions start
conversations
• Engage, don’t
intrude
• Make a point in 140
• Story can unfold in
multiple tweets
• Hashtags help more
w/ search,
conversation
• Engagement not as
intrusive

42. Breaking news on Twitter
• Tell unfolding story
• Capture the moment
• Tweet verified facts
• Say what you don’t know
• Crowdsource
• Use hashtag

48. #Hashtag tips
• Use existing hashtag if there is one
• Search before launching hashtag (avoid
duplication)
• Look for secondary hashtagsHashtags
help find sources
• Use regular hashtags: #GeauxTigers
#TakeTheCrown

59. Crowdsource

60. Crowdsource

65. Writing benefits of Twitter
• Paste lead into tweet box. If it’s >140,
challenge whether it’s too long
• 140 characters gives great practice at
getting to the point

66. Even in longer writing …
Whether you’re writing a long
story for a newspaper or magazine,
or a political speech or a book,
whatever you write, consider
boiling the essence down to a
single tweet.

67. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
@FDR
We have nothing to fear but fear
itself. #NewDeal

68. Anne Frank
@AnnesDiary
Despite everything, I believe that
people are really good at heart.
#DiaryofaYoungGirl

69. President John F. Kennedy
@JFK
Ask not what your country can do
for you – ask what you can do for
your country. #NewFrontier

70. Rachel Carson
@RachelCarson
In nature nothing exists alone.
#SilentSpring

71. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
@MLKing
I have a dream today! #Freeatlast

72. Ronald Reagan
@TheGipper
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this
wall! #Freedom

74. Let’s see (and hear)
your tweets