Creative newsroom

trying, failing, cussing, growing

Posts tagged reporter

1 note &

Twitter tip for the newsroom: The importance of @mentions

Our style on The Roanoke Times Twitter account is always evolving, but I thought I’d explain my new goal:

Not only do I strive to find the (verified) Twitter account of any business/politician/etc. mentioned in the tweet, but now I’m trying to add reporters / photogs whenever possible. This gets your attention —-  and gives our 8,500 followers an opportunity to engage with – or follow – you, too.

Here’s a good example:

 

Ideally, I would have added this businessman’s Twitter handle, but alas – couldn’t find it in a quick search.

For more about WHY @mentions are so important to build your network — and TO GET YOU NOTICED, read this post on Steve Buttry’s blog.

And I try to keep our list of @roanoketimes journos as up-to-date as possible, so please let me know if you’re missing! Find our Twitter “phone book” here

Filed under twitter newsroom journalism reporter newspaper

1 note &

On the scene of a breaking news event? Don’t forget my easy, 3-step mobile reporting system

I’ve never actually caught fire before, but ever since kindergarten I know exactly what to do if that should happen.

Stop, drop and roll, right?

I played off this wise advice for our newsroom in my mobile gladiator workshops.

After analyzing our breaking news successes, I realized teamwork and clear communication was KEY to how quickly and comprehensively we could report.

My goal was to equip our journalists with the essential apps — and confidence — to help save time and maximize the mobile tools at our fingertips.

What happens if you find yourself on the scene of breaking news, with adrenaline pumping and your mind racing? What should you do first?

I advise our journalists to …

SNAP: Capture the event in photos or video — You may lose the opportunity, depending on the news event.

CALL (or text)* your team leader or online editor to alert them to the news. Make sure someone else on staff knows what’s going on, so you can focus on reporting.
*A critical part of the training was taking the time to update phone contacts, which include an email that alerts a wide group of editors, along with an email address that allows you to automatically upload video to the Roanoke Times YouTube account.

ROLL: Quickly tweet your photo/video w/ a caption (going public ASAP), which the desk-bound editors can retweet on the main account and post on the website. Roll on with your reporting, relaying to editors primarily through Twitter or over the phone, whichever method you’re most comfortable with.

As I emphasized in our training, our mobile tools are incredibly powerful, allowing us to report faster than ever before. But our *brains* are the most important weapon we have — learning to quickly communicate and improvise as the news unfolds, using these tools wisely.

Filed under journalism reporter newsroom mobile reporting breaking news newspaper

1 note &

From Poynter: How journalism educators can teach students to live-tweet campus events

My favorite lesson: “Good reporters research each assignment in advance. The same goes for live tweeting. Students should know before arriving all related hashtags and who among the event’s organizers and key participants have Twitter handles.” Roanoke Times reporting intern (and master tweeter) @JordanFifer compiled a specific Twitter list before live tweeting Barack Obama’s campaign stop in Roanoke.

Filed under journalism twitter newsroom training social media reporter newspaper

1 note &

Calendars, ready? Our schedule of *super* summer training opps for the newsroom

 
OK, journalism superheroes.
 
We all have super powers we bring to the table … and amazing things happen when we work together and learn from each other.
 
Many of us will share our expertise in discussions throughout the summer.
 
What would you like to learn? And what could you teach the rest of us?
 
Here’s my evolving list of newsroom training opportunities on my calendar … we have a webinar or discussion or workshop just about every week in June and July.
 
Raise your hand and get added to our schedule … August is wide open! 

__________________________________________________________



Webinar: Political Fact-Checking: Tips and Tricks for the 2012 Election
2 p.m. Thursday, May 31, News Conference Room
Join Bill Adair, editor of PolitiFact and the Washington Bureau Chief for the Tampa Bay Times, to learn how to be clear about what you’re checking (and what you’re not) … and how to find independent and non-partisan experts and resources.
http://www.newsu.org/political-fact-checking

__________________________________________________________

All-day, drop-in event!
The future of journalism is … TEDxPoynterInstitute
Friday, June 1, News Conference Room

From Poynter:
During this interactive one-day TEDx event, we will tap into the minds of influential thought leaders from the broadest sections of the media industry. They will all inspire us with their stories and share their visions for the future of journalism. Throughout the day, participants will collaborate with others at the event (and those following along with live streams, blogs, etc.) to complete the sentence: “The future of journalism is …”

The beauty of this event is that it’s cut into 20-minute segments, so you can drop in and out whenever you have a little time to spare. I’m planning to broadcast these live streams in the News Conference Room throughout the day for anyone who’s interested. Snacks are planned … and an (off-site) happy hour could happen, too.
 
Learn more about who’s speaking (and the schedule) here.

__________________________________________________________

The Twitter Beat: Tweet Credibility of Government Agencies
2 p.m. Thursday, June 7, News Conference Room
With Suki Dardarian, managing editor at The Seattle Times, where she oversees news, metro, features, business, sports and investigations.
http://www.newsu.org/tweet-news-credibility

__________________________________________________________


Let’s talk Storify! 
3 p.m. Thursday, June 14 , News Conference Room
What is it? And how might it fit into your reporting repertoire? Tips and discussion led by Caitlin Saniga, nightside copy / social media editor.

__________________________________________________________

 
We can all be breaking news rock stars … Are you prepared?
Tuesday, June 19
No matter what your role or beat in the newsroom, you should be prepared to cover a breaking news story. Are you ready? We’ll look at some examples of our breaking news successes — and the Top 5 things you should know to report from your phone. Bring your phone and your questions in this workshop led by engagement / social media editor Stephanie Ogilvie.
* Multiple times may be scheduled to accommodate all shifts (and a trip to NRV?)

__________________________________________________________

Community Engagement and Your News Organization
2 p.m. Thursday, June 28, News Conference Room
With Joy Mayer, Director of Community Outreach for the Columbia Missourian
 
From Poynter:
Community engagement is key to survival in a complicated news and information environment. Whether that means social media, community coffee shop hours, live chats or more robust comments depends on you. Each news organization should be able to articulate what it most values in community outreach, conversation and collaboration. This Webinar will help guide your news organization to the kind of relationship it needs with its community and the strategy to build that relationship.

https://www.newsu.org/community-engagement-your-news-organization

__________________________________________________________

Let’s talk Pinterest!
Noon Thursday, July 12 , News Conference Room
Food writer (and Pinterest addict) Lindsey Nair is spearheading our Pinterest efforts across the company. Are you following our pin boards? We’ll hear tips about this exploding new social network in a discussion led Lindsey.

__________________________________________________________

Webinar: Developing your social media voice
2 p.m. Friday, July 13, News Conference Room
James Janega of the Chicago Tribune will show you how to find the right tone and how to get the most out of it. You’ll learn the importance of being genuine and when to use your social media presence for maximum relevance.
https://www.newsu.org/developing-social-media-voice

__________________________________________________________

Let’s talk mobile video!
Thursday, July 19, News Conference Room
Tips and discussion led by multimedia journalist Ryan Loew.
 
 __________________________________________________________

How to take better photos with your phone?

2 p.m. Thursday, July 26, News Conference Room
Tips and discussion led by photo editor Natalee Waters.

Filed under journalism journos reporting reporter newsroom innovation

0 notes &

We’ve got the power: Why innovation is important (and how we can encourage more)

I invited the newsroom to chat about innovation during a brownbag session this week. While the turnout was lower than I’d hoped (five, including myself) — I was really encouraged by our conversation.

Before we started our discussion, I played “The Power” by SNAP! —- a cheesy blast from the 90s, yes —- but it helps motivate me through a rough patch in life and work. Whenever someone says, “Wouldn’t it be cool if …” or “Someone should really do this ….” …. I hear the song in my head: “I’ve got the power!”

These are the highlights I emailed to the newsroom following the brownbag:


What is innovation?  
 
I like author/innovation guru Jeff DeGraff’s definition: Any creative improvement.
 
Innovation isn’t just a huge, expensive Project (with a capital “P”) that results in a game-changing product like an iPad. We innovate every day in small ways, in minute processes that save us time and improve our journalism.
 
Example: What happens if you’re on the scene of breaking news, you want to send a photo, but your mobile phone service is spotty in rural areas? Rebecca Barnett didn’t give up — she quickly asked a bystander to borrow their phone and sent some to Natalee. Small, yes — but huge.
 

Why is innovation important?  
 
Because we have the power to help shape our community and lead with ideas. In order to preserve our values and sustain the business, we must embrace change and expertly improvise  … and stay excited and curious and joyful about our role.
 

How can we encourage innovation?
 
My Top 5 highlights from the conversation …
 
1. Don’t fear the #Fail. We talked a lot about developing a culture more tolerant of failure. You learn the most from your mistakes, right? How can we see meddlesome, embarrassing corrections as opportunities to prevent future corrections? If we see consistent copy mistakes (like spelling “judgment” wrong in every instance), why don’t we take the time to (diplomatically) tell that person — so we don’t have to correct it again? Would we embrace failure as a normal part of progress (like scientists) if we each kept a Failure Resume (as suggested by Tina Seelig)?

2. Knowledge Directory  — Jeff Sturgeon proposed this great idea, which is an evolving directory/wiki of different storytelling tools (like Facebook, Storify, Excel). We would add tips, FAQs, etc. for each tool — and list the folks in the newsroom who could be helpful teachers for each, building a community of trainers.
(Travis Williams was cited specifically as a social media star … watch out Travis, I’ll be calling.)
 
3. Another Jeff Sturgeon idea: Are you starving for honest feedback? Would you be interested in a Feedback Club that might meet every month? Jeff will send an email with more details about this idea …
 
4.  Question:  What’s the most fun part of your job? How can you do more of that? Example: If you are energized the most by being out in the community — at the scenes of crimes and “closer to the real,” as Jeff says — what tools do you need to keep you away from the office? And maybe it’s not technology — maybe it’s just taking the time to reimagine how you structure your job. And if you are consistently frustrated by something in your job, isn’t it worth the time to focus on some creative solutions?

5. Breaking news protocol? The idea of a breaking news simulation — or an experimental group project covering a real event — came up. More questions: What should be our priorities when we cover breaking news? Should there be a more defined process? We’ll be talking more about this during our June 19 brownbag, when I’ll try to answer: What does breaking news success look like? We have some great examples  — today’s coverage of the bus wreck comes immediately to mind.   
 
 
What ideas can you share?

Filed under journalism reporter journos newsroom innovation creativity reporting

0 notes &

Do I have time for innovation? Not really … but I make time

Yes, I know.
 
You’re busy.
 
In fact, I don’t think I recall I time when I was bored.
 
But I’m learning that the key to success … and my personal happiness … is the ability to set priorities and make time for what’s most important.
 
Developing a culture of learning and creativity is what I value most. Do I have time to do this? Not really. I’m too often distracted by the ding of my latest email … or breaking news … or so-and-so’s latest Facebook link … or something that needs to be fixed on roanoke.com.
 
Is creativity czar part of my job description? No — but I’m reimagining my role.
 
I’m committed to make time because I know it’s important to the success of this newsroom … and it makes me happy.
 
And that’s why I’m going to spend two hours of my weekend taking this free, self-directed Poynter course:
 
Innovation at Work: Helping New Ideas Succeed
You’ll study how your organization encourages (or holds back) innovation. And you’ll prepare to lead conversations in your newsroom about putting innovation to work for your publication.
 
I don’t expect you to take this course, but I would be thrilled to chat with anyone who does.
 
I just hope you make time for what drives you as a journalist.
 
I’m planning to discuss some of the ideas and strategies from what I learn during our brownbag on Wednesday. I hope you will join me.
Brainstorm brownbag: How can we encourage innovation in the newsroom?
Noon Wednesday, May 23, News Conference Room

Filed under newsroom journalism reporter innovation creativity journos journalist time management

0 notes &

May Mojo is coming! Weekly series of brainstorms, webinars to help inspire

Feel like you’re in a rut? Need some inspiration? 

I’ve been on an innovation kick lately, so I’ve put together a weekly series of brainstorms and webinars in May to help get those creative juices flowing. Let’s get our mojo back by the summer, shall we?

Mark your calendars …
 
__________________________________________________________

Brainstorm brownbag: How can we tell better stories?
Noon Tuesday, May 8, News Conference Room
 
I’d love to talk more about generating creative story ideas (and creative ways to tell stories) — and I think this podcast from South by Southwest is a good place to start.
 
Before we brainstorm, please have a listen … 
 
Storytelling Beyond Words: New Forms of Journalism
I was most inspired by Jim Brady, who just spoke at VPA over the weekend. In this podcast, he reminds us that we’re not just producing a newspaper — we’re producing stories.
 
It urges us to always ask: What is the best way to tell this story? It might be text, it might be photos, it might be data. The key is to ask this early in our reporting. What does the story want to be? How do people want to interact with the information?
 
Here’s a description from the SXSW program:
 
We are in the midst of a digital revolution, and yet journalistic storytelling remains trapped in the Stone Age. We have all sorts of digital tools at our disposal — video, social media, interactive graphics, etc. — and still our stories are boring. Our panel will help you think in new ways about storytelling forms. Instead of sending users to a separate link for a video, why not embed video into the story at strategic points? Instead of writing long articles analyzing the accuracy of a politician’s statements, why not invent a meter that allows the audience to quickly see that for themselves? We’ll offer examples of how journalists harness digital tools to reinvent storytelling in ways that delight audiences, elucidate complex issues, improve communities and strengthen democracy. This panel is for geeks who care about storytelling; it’s for storytellers who care about digital tools; and it’s for anyone who cares about the future of journalism.
 
Meet the panelists and listen to the podcast here: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_IAP10994
 
 
__________________________________________________________
 
Webinar: Facebook for Reporting and Storytelling
2 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, News Conference Room
You’ll learn how to use Facebook tools that can help you develop story ideas and research sources.
https://www.newsu.org/facebook-reporting
 
 
__________________________________________________________
 

Brainstorm brownbag: How can we encourage innovation in the newsroom?
Noon Wednesday, May 23, News Conference Room
 
Before our discussion, I urge you to take this free, self-directed course offered by Poynter/NewsU. It’s estimated to take about 2 (training!) hours.
 
Innovation at Work: Helping New Ideas Succeed
You’ll study how your organization encourages (or holds back) innovation. And you’ll prepare to lead conversations in your newsroom about putting innovation to work for your publication.
 
I’m planning to discuss some of the ideas and strategies from this course during our brownbag.
 
__________________________________________________________
 
Idea festival: The future of journalism is … TEDxPoynterInstitute (DTED-12)
Friday, June 1, News Conference Room
 
From Poynter:
During this interactive one-day TEDx event, we will tap into the minds of influential thought leaders from the broadest sections of the media industry. They will all inspire us with their stories and share their visions for the future of journalism.
Throughout the day, participants will collaborate with others at the event (and those following along with live streams, blogs, etc.) to complete the sentence: “The future of journalism is …”
 
Perhaps we can broadcast these live streams in the news conference room throughout the day for anyone who’s interested. Make it a theme potluck?

Filed under creative newsroom journalism reporter