Advanced twitter for journos

@stevebuttrysbuttry@journalregister.com

New Haven RegisterOct. 6, 2011

for journosAdvanced

Resources to help journo tweeps• “Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of

Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• “Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog

• These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry

• Zombiejournalism.com

What’s your social media strategy?

Twitter techniquesNews coverage:•Advanced search•Hashtags•Vetting & verifying•Live-tweeting•Crowdsourcing•Curating

Engagement: •Building a following•Being conversational

Bookmark this tool

Advanced Twitter Searchhttps://twitter.com/#!/search-advanced

Why use hashtags?• Find other sources• Expand your audience• Organize content (for feeds &

contacting)

Hashtag tips• Search for hashtag(s) already in use • If a hashtag is already in use, adopt it• If not, choose one that’s simple & unique

(do quick search first)• Geographic abbreviation helps (#ctirene)• Geographic better than branded

(#ctpolitics better than #nhrpolitics)

Possible routine local hashtags

#ctnews#ctbreakingnews#ctsports#ctpreps#uconnsports#uconn#uconnbasketball

#ctstorm#ctweather#yalenews#ctgovnews#nhnews#newhavenct#branfordct (etc.)

Vetting & verifying• Track back RTs, etc.

to source • Look for clusters • Location enabled? • Evaluate the

network• Evaluate the history

• Links, photos? • Take it old school• Disclose, hedge,

repeat • Be brave only in

correction

Tips from Craig Silverman, Regret the Error

Evaluating tweeps• How long have they been tweeting?• Check previous tweets, interaction• Check bio, links• Check Klout score• Google name and scam, spammer• Contact & interview

Tips from Mandy Jenkins, Zombie Journalism

Say what you don’t know

Live-tweeting prep• Get names (confirm spelling), titles in

advance (ask, get program, etc.)• Set scene, saying what you’re covering &

that you’re live-tweeting• Describe your circumstances, vantage

point: at event, watching on TV, curating tweets (Andy Carvin)

Live-tweeting tips• Don’t transcribe; observe & report• In sports, mix play-by-play & commentary• Use hashtag (& check to respond)• OK to pause for checking facts, names• Note significant pause (halftime, lunch)• Fun interludes, exchanges, anecdotes• Check facts before you hit “tweet”

Live-tweeting situations• Trials• Meetings• Sporting events (curate w/ public tweets:

Friday Night Tweets)• Festivals• Breaking stories• Remember to feed live-tweets into site

Why crowdsource?• It saves time• Connecting with sources has always been

one of a journalist’s most important jobs• You bring more voices to your news

reports• You engage the community

Set the stage• Build engaged community (follow

people, converse with them)• Use multiple platforms (Twitter,

Facebook, website, blog, newspaper, IRL)• Do the groundwork (don’t expect the

public to do your job; invite them to tell their stories)

Crowdsourcing tips• Say what you know• Say what you want to know• Say what you don’t know• Say what you need to know• Don’t spread rumors• Vet sources & information

Throughout the process• Seek story ideas & tips• Ask questions as you gather info• Share data with community• Ask public to continue the conversation• Sometimes crowd will be quiet; don’t get

discouraged

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

NPR’s Andy Carvin

“I think curation has always been a part of journalism; we just didn't call it that.” – quoted in The Atlantic by Phoebe Connelly

What is curation?Museum curator:•Studies topic•Chooses relevant content (other sources & museum collection)•Authenticates•Groups related items•Provides context•Presents exhibit

Journalism curator:•Studies topic•Chooses relevant content (social media, blogs, staff)•Authenticates•Groups related items•Provides context•Presents collected content

Routine beat coverage• Follow officials & agencies on beat• Twitter Search (advanced)• Hashtags (regular & spontaneous)• Lists (Twitter, TweetDeck, HootSuite)• Breaking news• Crowdsourcing• Liveblog (feeding in tweets)

Connecting w/ community• Use Advanced Twitter Search or Nearby

Tweets to find & check local tweeps• Search terms & location to find people

tweeting about your beat• Check followers of @nhregister• See who tweeps are conversing with• Who follows agencies, people on beat?

Twitter’s a conversation• Post links w/ comment or question, not

headline• Post other links, not just yours• Show your personality (you can do it w/o

opinion)• Give more than you ask for• Please and thank you

Converse w/ public

People to follow

• Look for sources (find people)• Ask sources• Journalists in other communities• When someone follows you, check out to

see whether you should follow back• When you follow someone, check whom

they follow• Tweeps mentioned in interesting tweets

Resources to help journo tweeps• “Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of

Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• “Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog

• These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry

• Zombiejournalism.com