Social Media Meeting of the Minds
I participated in a pretty interesting panel discussion last night about how journalists are now using social media, how it's benefiting our coverage and how we'll use it in the future. I thought I'd share some of what we talked about, and even spread the word about social media by sharing how you can follow them!
We had representatives from News 10, Fox 40, KFBK, the Sacramento Bee along with me (representing CBS13). What struck me most, was how we all are making up our social media strategy as we go along.
Two of the panelists who work in tv have used social media for quite a few years, and have now developed definite strategies. One uses it to blog, as a platform to comment on other news outlets and stories (Fox 40). The other uses it to connect with story sources and has even relied on it to add content (in this case pictures or video) for stories she writes on her station's website (News 10).
The newspaper reporter mostly uses it to send out articles but also tweets little tidbits that don't necessarily make it into the page. The radio reporter likes to tweet about sports and get a conversation going with his listeners...so they can get to know him a little better.
For those of you who follow me, you know I do a little of all of the above. I still consider myself a newbie. However, as I pointed out on the panel, because social media is still fairly new - that term is relative. I feel more like a pro than I thought I would after just one year even though I know I still have so much to learn!
Up and coming journalists will have the advantage of knowing how to use technology far better than I do.
They'll also be comfortable with less privacy. I still tend to feel a little protective or maybe even shy. However, in this day and age, the younger generation is in such a hurry to get information they sometimes miss the checks and balances. My warning to them is to learn how to check facts and sources before tweeting, Facebooking or blogging. If they do that right, the inroads they can make into all kinds of communities can reap real rewards. Just imagine what it would have been like if social media had been around during Hurricane Katrina. What kind of stories could we have delivered during that disaster? What kind of difference could that have made?
Right now, I keep my my blog, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts all open on my computer while I work. I check them regularly. All those outlets let me connect with individuals in the community, even though I'm stuck at my desk here in West Sacramento.
I pick up on breaking news and fascinating little details about what's happening out there that we often end up weaving into our newscasts. I follow all kinds of feeds, from national news outlets to contacts in various places like Stockton, Tracy, and Folsom thanks to the reach of social media.
So, what do you think journalism will become with the hep of social media? I mean everything from the blogosphere to charging for content to closing the feedback loop (having the community bring content to news outlets rather than waiting for us to push it to them)? Do you think all this helps or hurts what we do? I welcome your observations!
And in the meantime, you can follow the other panelists at these Twitter handles: @Ryan_Lillis @rob_mcallister @radiomatthew @mponto (& me @palllashupe). Also a big thank you to @SMSac for hosting the event!
