10 Ways Journalists Can (and Should) Use Twitter
It’s not just for posting pictures of your ahi appetizers or finding out about Britney Spears’ rainbow hair extensions. Twitter has emerged as a useful tool for journalists all over the world. In fact, it’s largely due to major news stories that Twitter grew in its early stages. For example, the L.A. fires, Iraq protests, and the World Cup all contributed to spikes in Twitter users. The Arab Spring, Tsunami in Japan and Occupy Wall Street recently revealed led that Twitter continues to be a power tool for journalists.
Users turn to Twitter during times of crisis for updates that come far faster and much closer to the action than more traditional channels. It’s essential that new media journalists not only know how Twitter works, but also build followers and attach to communities that will benefit from their reporting. It doesn’t matter if you’re reporting on weddings, weather or war; Twitter needs to be in the toolkit of an effective journalist.
1. Report breaking news. It’s been proven time and again that Twitter can be the fastest conduit to emerging news stories.
2. Identify trending, newsworthy topics.
3. Test story ideas. Many journalists use Twitter to float ideas out to readers. A landslide of response can mean a topic is worth pursuing.
4. Connect directly with newsmakers. Sometimes a Tweet or Direct Message through Twitter is the easiest way to contact people making news.
5. Readers can follow the progress of a story if a journalist Tweets updates along the way. It builds interest in the story and lets readers tell reporters what they’d like to know.
6. Connect with other journalists.
7. Elicit quotes from followers on a subject. Adding “via Twitter” has become commonplace in new stories.
8. Build a following, personality and, most importantly, credibility as a journalist through Twitter. It takes an investment of time to interact with readers directly and become a trusted news source, but once a reporter is established on Twitter, he or she will be the place readers turn to during a crisis or to get the real story.
9. Share a competed story.
10. Receive direct feedback from readers.
[...] can check out her website here and get more information about her work. You can also check out her article in OC Metro and read about the 10 Ways Journalists Can (and should) Use [...]
[...] Suzanne Broughton is a busy woman! She tweets everyday and is involved in every social network you can think of. You can find her blog right here: http://blogs.ocmetro.com/10-ways-journalists-can-and-should-use-twitter/ [...]
[...] should always use feedback from readers to help improve their writings. To find the full article on 10 way Journalists Can and Should use Twitter click on the [...]
[...] Broughton, esteemed OC blogger and VP of Churm Media, visited the classrooms of Biola University students today. Suzanne [...]
[...] shared an article with our class that she wrote regarding the benefits of Twitter for journalists. In OC Metro she wrote 10 ways Journalists can and should use Twitter. While I am a devout user of Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, I have always been against creating [...]
[...] her recent post in OCMetro, Suzanne talked about the ten ways to use [...]
[...] The time it takes for a story to reach the people is not the only thing that has changed. In the realm of social media, the audience can began reacting to the story when the journalists announces on Twitter or Facebook what they have been assigned. The reporter can begin asking questions on Twitter, or sometimes followers will react to a simple statement such as, “My kids are the most disorganized children ever!” Instagram hashtags begin trending, YouTube videos gain hundred of views, and – ultimately – the audience is engaged before the final story is published! More information on how to use Twitter as a journalist (from the lady herself) can be found at http://blogs.ocmetro.com/10-ways-journalists-can-and-should-use-twitter/ [...]
[...] How should a journalist use Twitter to the best advantage? [...]
[...] and Twitter are 2 very important [...]
[...] LINKS: Suzanne Broughton as Columnist, Ten Ways Journalist Can and Should Use Twitter [...]
[...] as a journalist and you find your own niche.” As she explained how she used her Twitter and wrote some of her tips on her blog OC Metro , my heart tugged on me and began to say to me, “Get a Twitter or at least a [...]
[...] One important thing however when updating sites on the news, is grammar, spelling and fact checking. Just because it is a “casual site” per say, does not mean that it is still not important and professional. Many of Suzanne’s amazing tips on updating social sites can be found here at her blog. [...]
[...] helpful blog post on how journalists can use Twitter to its fullest potential. (Find her blog post here). I found tips #5 and #8 to be the most helpful. When asked how she keeps her personal life and her [...]
[...] future journalism and PR professionals. In her most recent article for OC Metro’s blog, (Find here) Broughton details ten ways in which journalists, both student and expert level, can (and should) [...]
[...] For details on the amazing usefulness of the Twitter, Broughton has put together a list of benefits here. [...]
[...] Broughton outlines several more ways to utilize Twitter to your advantage as a journalist working with new media and exemplifies it in [...]
[...] Suzanne Broughton. Her insightful and inspiring presentation as well as her blog on how journalists can use social media, especially Twitter, changed my entire perspective on the [...]
[...] an interview and land a job.” For ten tips on how to effectively use twitter, check out her post for OC [...]
[...] trying to show a group of college kids the importance of journalism in the twittosphere. Heres a link to her article about “10 Ways Journslists Can (and Should) Use [...]