Twitter can make you a better reporter

@stevebuttrysbuttry@journalregister.com

Pottstown MercuryJune 15, 2011

a better reportercan make you

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?

Why use Twitter?• It can save you time• It extends your reach• It’s an engaging, conversational tool• It’s great for connecting with

eyewitnesses

Before the big story breaks

• Follow lots of local people (NearbyTweets, replies, retweets, check followers)

• Join local conversation• Master Twitter search (advanced)• Promote local #hashtag taxonomy

(#okstorm)• Use Twitter routinely on your beat

Quakes, tornadoes, floods• Indonesia• Twitter HQ

When the big story breaks• Twitter Search

(advanced)• Connect w/ witnesses• Crowdsource• Tweet early & often• Seek verification• Address rumors (say

what you don’t know)• Seek photos

• Converse• Answer questions• Thank contributors• Promote fresh content• Link to new reports

(even competitors’)• Be human (fun where

appropriate)

@statesman case study

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

Say what you don’t know

Converse w/ public

Link to fresh content

Link to fresh 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)

Sports coverage• Follow athletes, coaches, teams,

bloggers• Find and follow fans• Follow, promote hashtags • Crowdsource questions for interviews• Liveblog games, feeding in tweets• Feed tweets into stories

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

Ethical considerations

• How do you identify yourself?• Ask skeptical questions• Seek verification• Ask question, don’t repeat rumor• Correct quickly

Questions?

Ask questions now or by email (sbuttry@journalregister.com) or

DM (@stevebuttry)