Short But Sweet
Social Media Marketing
This class taught me a lot about journalism and effectively using the tools available to journalists to help them progress in their careers. I am not a journalist and I am not pursuing a degree in journalism, but I now realize that is a challenging field. There are a lot of different components to digital journalism, such as social networking, blogging, newsgathering, and reporting the news.
First, I was not aware of how difficult it is to go out and gather a news story, photograph it, and then report it. This class taught me that I could investigate on a topic and then publish the story for the world to read. I can also just write about my hobbies and interests and post it in a blog.
I never knew the true meaning of blogging until I took this class. I used to think it was just random people that could not make it as a journalist discussing topics and stating what they believe to be facts. I now realize that this is not the case. There are a lot of professional journalists that use blogging to get their content out to the world
Not only does this class teach you about blogging, it teaches you how to successfully run your own blog. I enjoyed using WordPress throughout the semester because it is user-friendly and simple. I learned how to write blog posts, upload photographs and images to the post and adding widgets within the blogging website. I also enjoyed how this class seamlessly joined journalism and social networking.
I have always been a fan of social networking and I try to branch out and use the most current services. I learned a lot this semester on how to utilize widgets correctly within a webpage. I also found a few resources that allow journalists to gather and report news by using social networking websites, such as Twitter and their Twitter for Newsrooms website.
I enjoyed reading everyone’s blog posts and learning about digital journalism. My only regret this semester was that I never enrolled in the fall semester. I would have enjoyed this class and what it has to offer over an entire 16 weeks.
Not Your Typical #Newsroom
Twitter Test Screen
Twitter started out as a microblogging platform for people to send short messages to each other. It is now one of the latest and most sought after ways for people to get their news. People have started to use Twitter because they can get the news in a quick, short format.
In my blog post, “Journalists, Meet Twitter,” I discussed how important it is for journalists to utilize Twitter to help them report the news and brand themselves as well as their organizations. Twitter recognizes that they are an emerging source for news and they are on a quest to facilitate journalists in reporting the news.
On June 27, 2011, Twitter released a new webpage called, Twitter for Newsrooms (#TfN), which is its newest resource dedicated to enlightening journalists and news organizations on how to use Twitter for gathering and reporting the news.
Twitter for Newsrooms contains four different sections: #Report, #Engage, #Publish, and #Extra. Each section is dedicated to assist journalists and news organizations with their Tweets.
The #Report section contains search information for gathering and reporting the news. It also contains a link to Topsy, which is a website designed to help you find older tweets that have been archived. The #Report section also contains tips for mobile devices as well as finding sources.
#Engage is helpful for any journalist as well as a typical Twitter user. #Engage includes the Twitter Glossary and tips on effective tweeting and branding. This section also includes examples of journalists who utilize Twitter in an effective way.
#Publish is the most important section for journalists and news organizations because it contains information on Web Intents, which allows users to Tweet specific stories without leaving the webpage they are on. #Publish also contains the official display guidelines for Tweets, usernames, and hashtags on air. These same guidelines should be used in print media as well.
Lastly, they introduced #Extra, which houses all the information for Twitter support as well as the Twitter Blogs. The #Extra section also includes material on Twitter’s ecosystem partners
Twitter is a quick, effective source for news. Journalists must adapt and understand that Twitter is not just another social networking site, but a useful resource. Twitter for Newsrooms is a tool that can assist them in performing their job and promoting their news organization.
Tips and Techniques To Maximize Twitter Experience
Twitter is an active social networking website that has been growing in new users since 2006. There were actually 572,000 accounts added on March 12, 2011 alone, which means the website is growing faster than Facebook did during its fifth year.
Most people know what Twitter is, but don’t understand how to use it. There are several websites, such as Mashable.com, which created The Twitter Guide Book. Some of these guides are very simple with help sections such as, “How to send a tweet.”
Last week in my blog post, “Journalists, Meet Twitter,” I discussed how important it is for journalists to utilize Twitter to help them in the professional lives. It is equally important for all businesses and professionals to utilize Twitter.
If you use Twitter as a professional, then I suggest that you use the service to its maximum capability. Twitter can be a powerful marketing tool and help to successfully reach your target market as well as new customers and followers.
While searching through Twitter, I wanted to follow certain companies that I frequently use for different services. However, I noticed a few of these companies were not utilizing Twitter to its advantage. For example, one company had over 6,000 followers, however they still have not sent out one Tweet. Companies such as this should learn more advanced functions, use marketing trend tools and promote its Twitter page as a customer service resource.
In my new video, “Quick Twitter Tutorial” on YouTube, I highlight a few important functions in Twitter. These include, mentions, deleting Tweets, retweets, and customizing your Twitter page, as all of these are important for interacting with other users.
One of the keys to making the most of Twitter is the use of external tools. Websites such as FriendorFollow.com allow you to view all of the Twitter accounts that you follow and it will show you who does not follow back. This is one of the most useful tools because it allows you to unfollow people that aren’t following you.
There is also UnTweeps.com, which allows you to search for Twitter accounts that you follow and have not tweeted in a certain amount of time. I found this tool useful because I do not like to follow people that have let their Twitter account sit idle for a long period of time.
The last tool I highlighted in my video is Unfollower, which sends you a direct message or email notifying you of all of the accounts that unfollow you. All of these websites can help you improve your Twitter experience.
Twitter is one of the most popular social networking services to date and with more people signing up daily, it is becoming an important communication tool. For a better understanding of how to use Twitter, as well as unique tools and tips – check out my new video on YouTube.
Cashing in for the love of the game
Pinball machines from the 1970's
You could go to a casino or you could go down to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but most people would not think to go to the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Located at 1610 E. Tropicana Blvd, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a fully functional and interactive “game room” as well as non-profit business
Tim Arnold, who started collecting pinball machines in 1972, established the Pinball Hall of Fame. In 1990, Arnold moved to Las Vegas from Michigan with a goal of wanting to combine his love for pinball and charity into one business.
When I first walked into the Pinball Hall of Fame, I noticed rows upon rows of pinball machines. I started playing on the pinball machines before I started taking pictures or reading the information cards on the various machines.
After playing for over an hour I decided to pull out my camera and I started to take photos because there is a lot to capture in the 10,000 square foot building. The building currently houses over 152 pinball machines. In addition to pinball machines there is air hockey and arcade games such as the original Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.
The Pinball Hall of Fame has pinball machines that date back to 1947 and appear to be in great condition after 60 years of use. The collection also has games that were built as recently as 2009. The best part of the Hall of Fame is that the pinball machines are functioning and you can pay to play them for 25 cents to 75 cents per play.
The Pinball Hall of Fame also serves as a charity. The Pinball Hall of Fame uses the change from the machines to cover operating expenses and then donates all excess revenue to non-denominational charities, such as The Salvation Army.
The Pinball Hall of Fame is a great place to take your children or even go hang out for a few hours. For more information, go to the Pinball Hall of Fame website and make sure to check out my photos from the game room on Flickr.
Journalists, Meet Twitter
Image courtesy of Spencer E Holtaway
When I first started using Twitter I was confused about how the social media site worked. Within a few hours I was beginning to grasp and enjoy the website for its ease and usability. I started to follow all of my interests including, graphic designers, sports news and breaking news.
Everyone from artists, writers, charities, celebrities and companies are tweeting. Twitter is one of the most popular social networking tools and it continues to grow every day. Some people believe that journalists do not have a use for Twitter, however I believe journalists actually need Twitter. It can help them with gathering news, promoting themselves and bouncing ideas off of each other.
Journalists can follow other news organizations such as USAToday and the New York Times, which will allow them to gather breaking news stories and then write about them. They can also tweet about breaking news they have discovered and include a link to their own website
In the article The Journalist’s Guide to Twitter by Leah Betancourt, she discusses a man by the name of Jason DeRusha, who uses Twitter to gather ideas and angles to write his news stories. This is one of the most creative uses for Twitter that every journalist should take advantage of. Not only will it build your reader base, which is another form of self-promotion, it will also make you appear personal and in touch with your readers.
Journalists can also use their Twitter account to promote themselves and tweet about stories they recently wrote. They can promote the companies or websites they write for. Twitter allows them to self promote because you only need 140 characters to write about your recent story or blog post.
In an article written by Marshall Kirkpatrick on ReadWriteWeb he discusses the journalistic uses for Twitter, which included the most unique reason I have heard thus far, conducting interviews. In addition to conducting interviews, I have seen Twitter be a vehicle for Q&A sessions between companies or other tweeters.
There are tools, external and internal, that journalists can use to help them with their Twitter account and their writing. One of the greatest tools is the website Muck Rack, which allows people to track the Twitter accounts and tweets of journalists and news organizations. There is also a tool built in to Twitter called Who To Follow, which incudes a News category filled with news organizations and journalists.
Twitter is a great tool for everyone to use including journalists. If you are looking to try Twitter then go here to signup for an account. If you want some great tips on Twitter, check out one of my favorite websites, Mashable.com, which has built The Twitter Guide Book.
Thought Through Design
Image courtesy of Dan Saffer
"Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated" - Paul Rand
There are many principles to take into consideration when designing a blog or website. Initially I wanted to create my own theme because I am skilled in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver. Then I realized I only had a few weeks to create it, which was a setback, as I like to analyze all my design options and create something unique.
I wanted to create a layout that successfully communicates to my readers. I was so anxious to look at the themes available that I started browsing even before having a blog name in mind. I soon realized functionality and usability within my blog should be my primary focus before deciding on a design or name.
I used a fixed background apposed to scrolling because tiled backgrounds tend to look disorganized if each frame does not blend. I attempted to add multiple columns to my blog, but it was not aesthetically pleasing and it started to overwhelm the blog. I also wanted to include widgets on the sidebar that were similar to my interests. Therefore, Twitter and Mashable made the most sense because I love using Twitter and technology.
I often use Adobe Kuler, a database of color themes designed to help graphic designers in creating a consistent message through the use of color. For my blog, I used a teal background with silver headings as these two colors successfully compliment one another. I believe that these two colors represent a professional yet exciting tone, which describes my personality. I also wanted colors that could blend well with the RSS logo because this could not be customized in my pre-packaged theme.
I might make a few changes to improve functionality and usability, however I will keep my design throughout the semester because I believe blogs should have a consistent visual experience.
Out with the old, in with the new.
Image courtesy of upload.wikimedia.org
Most of us lead fast-paced lives and we do not have time to sit down and read a newspaper. I have never been the type of person that enjoys reading a newspaper. I tend to get my news from many popular news outlets such as television, the Internet, and Twitter. I am a theorist that believes traditional print media is slowly coming to its death. With the death of print media includes the death of the traditional journalist.
Many journalists have not been successful with the current technological transition. Some of them believe that they should not have to convert to digital journalism because it they need to be focused on gathering and reporting news. The Online Journalism Review has an article written by Robert Niles, which contains a different viewpoint on why traditional journalists must embrace new technology. He states that newspaper columnists should be the perfect bloggers. This is a true statement, but I do not think a newspaper columnist should not necessarily have to blog as much as they should start using newer technological outlets.
The ability to attract readers is actually a skill that journalists must posses to remain viable in a demanding and restructured job market. Journalists must embrace the new technologies available for two reasons. First, if they don’t do it then someone else will. Second, digital journalism is on the rise and there is no reason to be left behind. Luckily, there are many journalists who are starting to use social media to develop, verify and source their stories according to the 2011 Digital Journalism Study.
The Internet and Web 2.0 are both the wave of the future and anyone that wants to be successful must learn to utilize the social media tools available. Journalists must step outside of their comfort zone and start using Facebook, Twitter, and blogging. The reason for branching out is not just to get your story out in the open, it’s to brand yourself as a journalist and help promote the company you write for. For every death there is a birth, so farewell traditional print media.
Recent Posts
- Short But Sweet
- Not Your Typical #Newsroom
- Tips and Techniques To Maximize Twitter Experience
- Cashing in for the love of the game
- Journalists, Meet Twitter
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