Lessons to be Learned from TBD

Building an Online Community

Lessons from a Washington D.C. news startupMandy Jenkins

Zombiejournalism.com

What is TBD?A social media-driven local news website and

cable TV station covering the Washington, D.C. area

Launched August 9, 2010Started by former Washington Post.com Editor

Jim BradyOwned by Allbritton Communications

The Setup14 reporters4 editors3 news aggregators5 community engagement staff membersMore than 200 local blogsMore than 5 million residents in the coverage

area

Lesson #1: Do what you do best and link to the rest

Aggregation The news everyone else

is reporting Link off to other sites Competitors and partners Be a hub for all local

news

Report original newsPhone robberies on MetroIn-depth on a rash of homicides in JanuaryFact-checking politiciansLists of the day

Lesson #2:Don’t go it alone

Blog Network222 blogs and more. Featuring:News, features, sportsNeighborhood-level newsIn-depth watchdog reporting

Sharing readers both ways

Lesson #3:Capitalize on Social Media

How TBD used social media

Broadcasting Breaking news on Twitter Sharing news from others

by re-tweeting Live-tweeting events and

press conferences

Listening Watch Twitter feeds of

other media and reporters Watch local trends on

Twitter Get tips from readers Watch keywords for news Search for info Be responsive to followers

Using tipsGet further contact infoAsk follow-up questionsVerify the tip info with trusted sourcesThank and acknowledge public tipsters

TipsFiresCrimesCar accidentsWeatherEvents

Why? Because they trust us & we respect them

Search tweets for newsSearch.Twitter.ComSearch by keywords, location, timeFind what happened, witnesses, photos

Lesson #4:Interact with readers

On social channelsRespond to questions on Twitter and FacebookAddress criticism from outsideShare good responses with everyoneAsk for help when you need itBe open about corrections and mistakesNo arguing!

On the webInteract as a staff member in comments on your

site and sites where TBD is discussedAnswer questions, criticism Get ideas for follow-up storiesBut stay out of the way of discussionRemember: No arguing!

In personRegular reader meetups at local barsRegular meetups with blog network membersReporters holding open office hours in public

placesNewsroom café (Journal Register Co.)Allows readers a way to meet staff and one

another face-to-face

Lesson #5:Get readers involved in

stories

Complete this story

Asks readers for missing or more info in an ongoing story.

Reader-made map: Valentine’s Day

Maps.google.com

Reader-made map: Metro problems

Crowdmap.com

Suggestion box: Best hamburgers

allourideas.org/

More projectsNew Metro station names – gathered on Twitter

and mapped.Placing readers’ tweets and photos into stories

using Storify.comReaders suggest stories to cover

What didn’t work

TBD pitfallsNot enough involvement with WJLA, partner TV

station, led to unproductive relationshipTV advertising sales force couldn’t sell online adsBlog network advertising arrangement fell

throughHigh costs for a startup

Questions?

Thank You!Mandy Jenkins

Twitter: @mjenkinshttp://zombiejournalism.com