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How Social Media is Reshaping Journalism

January 24, 2018 by Zoetica Media

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We invited Joey Guerra, Music Critic and Pop Culture Writer, Houston Chronicle; Scylla Lopez, Social Media Producer, KTRK-TV; and, Natalie Harms, Associate Editor Houston Business Journal, and blogger at “It's Not Hou It's Me” to share with us how social media has changed journalism.

The speakers for #smbhou @ScyllaLopez @joeyguerra and @HBJNatalie. pic.twitter.com/fEy9oWb0c2

— Cheval John (@chevd80) November 10, 2017

Social Media Helps Keep Journalists On Trend

Social Media helps reporters keep close to the community, keep a finger on the trends that they need to cover and help them get news leads faster. One story that rides the trends for Joey Guerra is the RuPaul Drag Race series. You can read everything about the RuPaul Drag Race here.

The line between types of media is blurred even further will bloggers. As a result, journalists must bring new skills to the job. And understanding pop culture and what is viral is one of the skills that journalists also have to consider.
Organizations trying to get media attention also need to learn these lessons and provide content in a variety of formats.

OMG: @joeyguerra just mentioned how his @RuPaulsDragRace tweets go crazy! 🎉🦄🌈👑🏆⭐️ I am constantly clicking and RT! #srsly #SMBHOU pic.twitter.com/ffBsDyQqjT

— Brandon de Hoyos (@brandonabc13) November 10, 2017

If you're not scouring social media for what people are talking about and what's trending, you're not doing your job at this point #smbhou #journalism

— Ambika (@AmbikaKashi) November 10, 2017

.@joeyguerra uses social to get info, sources. He scours social for stories + trends. #SMBHou

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) November 10, 2017

Media constantly scours social media for stories and news @joeyguerra @HBJNatalie uses social media to find subscribers #smbhou

— Suzy Hartgrove (@kitdog) November 10, 2017

Social Media Helps Reporters Get Stories That Connect

When reporters are connected with the community, they are more likely to get the “story behind the story.” This allows them to tell the human side of the story and makes their work more interesting. A great example of this was when Joey Guerra saw a girl crying into her Snapchat account at an Ed Sheeran concert that became one of his most popular stories.

@joeyguerra writing stories people want to read- like the girl crying at Ed Sheehan concert #smbhou pic.twitter.com/CPsWCPQB3X

— Sophie Newman (@hellonewman8) November 10, 2017

@ScyllaLopez at #smbhou: people are more open & willing to share their stories on social media. Great place for journalists to find compelling human-interest stories.

— WardCC Houston (@WardCC) November 10, 2017

“It’s about the emotions,” @ScyllaLopez on mining social media for story ideas. #SMBHOU pic.twitter.com/psHv6z9oVh

— Brandon de Hoyos (@brandonabc13) November 10, 2017

Social Media is a Lifeline to Journalists in Crisis Situations

The panel talked about how they connected with the community in Houston during Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. One of the best sources for journalists after the storm were topical Facebook groups that sprung up for neighbors to help neighbors. The lines between telling the story and being a part of it were a bit blurred as news organizations sprung into action to meet needs by using the bully pulpit to connect people with needs to those who could help them.

A great example of finding compelling stories via social media during Harvey was this story that Scylla Lopez at Channel 13 helped to uncover about a man who was helping with rescues in the Port Arthur area. A woman who saw his selfie posted online, dubbing him the #RescueBae. Her post went viral, and channel 13 reached to get the story behind the #RescueBae selfie.

RescueBae Selfie Goes Viral

 

During Harvey, Facebook groups were a very important source for @ScyllaLopez. They were stuck at the station, social allowed them to get emotional stories. #SMBHou pic.twitter.com/7mJ8TxclpS

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) November 10, 2017

News Outlets are Multimedia and Require More Visual Connections

Newspaper and even radio new outlets now must deliver their stories via video. Conversely, television has to be quick to digital as well and must deliver written content. The lines have blurred and now all media have to be skilled at multiplatoform reporting.

The Chronicle stopped being just a newspaper a long time ago to me, says @joeyguerra. It’s a digital media property. #smbhou pic.twitter.com/zebbRd6yMN

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) November 10, 2017

During #Harvey, the @HoustonChron moved beyond print reporting via social media through premium multi-level platforms and TV quality video said @JoeyGuerra, Chron Music Critic.#SMBHOU

— Anna Núñez (@nunez_anna) November 10, 2017

@joeyguerra utilizes social media to live steam local events and stories for news stories. YES! 👐 Connect to your audience where they want to connect! #smbhou pic.twitter.com/CfjJYyxH0i

— PRKRISTYNA (@PR_Kristyna) November 10, 2017

Look to Unconventional Platforms for News

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram might be the main channels where many people focus their activities on social media. But don't forget more niche platforms like NextDoor, which is a social network for communities, or LinkedIn, which is usually centered on more B2B topics and job searching. Both of these platforms are a rich place to find and share newsworthy content. These reporters use all of these platforms to keep their finger on the pulse of the community.

Media scours Facebook groups, Nextdoor, other social media seeking news to report –@abc13houston’s @ScyllaLopez #smbhou pic.twitter.com/YFfwHfnxag

— Adriana Villarreal (@AdrianaV_DW) November 10, 2017

Journalists Build Their Brand on Social Media

Many journalists are judged by how many people read the digital version of their stories. A great way to build better relationships with journalists is to share anything they write about your company on social media to drive more traffic. Also, journalists are expected to build a popular personal brand as well as a professional reputation. Knowing this will help you have better relationships with journalists.

“For me, it’s been about building a brand,” @joeyguerra on why he’s meshed his @HoustonChron work with his personal Twitter account. #SMBHOU

— Brandon de Hoyos (@brandonabc13) November 10, 2017

People will read your social media because it comes from YOU even if they aren’t interested in the subject you are talking about. @joeyguerra #smbhou

— Rebecca Councill☕️ (@RebCouncill) November 10, 2017

Is Snapchat Dead for Reporters?

Joey Guerra says “no.” He uses it to tell stories and link followers to the bigger published piece. Snapchat allows you to add an outside link to your stories. Here is a quick guide about how to do it.

.@joeyguerra says links on @Snapchat has been a game changer for his coverage of events and interviews #smbhou

— Aimee Bertrand (@AimeeLizA) November 10, 2017

#smbhou @joeyguerra’s niece showed him Snapchat. And I think he was one of the first Houston journalists on it! #chatsnap @HoustonChron pic.twitter.com/geZXwP8jTq

— Kristy Gillentine (@KrisGillentine) November 10, 2017

#smbhou @joeyguerra – many people do not get Snapchat but if you cover events, it's THE app to use. Being able to add links to Snaps makes a big difference and expands the reach.

— WardCC Houston (@WardCC) November 10, 2017

How Can you Pitch a Reporter in Social Media?

The panel was mixed on this question. They say that reporters are open to online pitches, but only if they are pitch perfect, but many still might prefer email. Natalie said she is okay, and even welcomes, a follow up to any pitch. So, go ahead and pitch a perfect story, but make sure you do your homework first to see if it will land on interested ears, or eyes. One tip is to create a Twitter list and follow and interact with reporters before you need them.

Reporters are open to you pitching them online. Research and send it. #smbhou

— Vannessa Wade (@PROCKSTAR) November 10, 2017

“Don’t tag me in a flyer on Facebook… it’s better to just message me the flyer on Facebook,” @joeyguerra, on how to get a journo’s attention. Make sure the pitch is specific and targeted. #SMBHOU

— Brandon de Hoyos (@brandonabc13) November 10, 2017

Each reporter is different and prefers certain platforms over others, but sometimes great stories can come from a private (and personal!) social media message #smbhou #journalism

— Ambika (@AmbikaKashi) November 10, 2017

#smbhou @joeyguerra – social media or not, tell me why I should write about you or your event and not someone else.

— WardCC Houston (@WardCC) November 10, 2017

If your Twitter account has the same tweet to 25 different people, it doesn't show why that reporter should care about covering your story. Personalize it for their audience. @joeyguerra #smbhou

— PRKRISTYNA (@PR_Kristyna) November 10, 2017

Houston Social Media Breakfast talking how the media uses social media. #smbhou pic.twitter.com/dBMC6uqTv6

— mike mcguff (@mikemcguff) November 10, 2017

Social Media Management Tools Used in Journalism

Journalists also have to use tools to tame the social media firehose. Here are a few social media management tools that they recommend might be helpful for you. They include SproutSocial, Hootsuite, Buffer, Tweetdeck and Google Analytics.

Tools to track engagement from the #smbhou panel: @SproutSocial, @hootsuite, @buffer, @googleanalytics

— Aimee Bertrand (@AimeeLizA) November 10, 2017

TweetDeck is a good, free, entry-level way to check tweet demographics, @ItsNotHouItsMe says. #SMBHOU

— Brandon de Hoyos (@brandonabc13) November 10, 2017

Watch the Journalism Panel

Watch the whole event here. We do eventually adjust the framing, so be patient.

Filed Under: #SMBHOU, Featured, Industry Trends Tagged With: Journalism, Management, News, Reporters, social media

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Zoetica Swish SmallWelcome to Zoetica! We are an experienced team of communicators led by Kami Huyse who are dedicated to teaching you how to bring your communication to life with sound strategy, community building and solid success measures. Check out our blog, Zoetica Talks, browse our Resources, and check out our Sevices.We can't wait to get to know you better.

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