Journalists, members of Digital First Media and pretty much everyone else who wants to - are going to be taking part on the weekly Twitter chat at noon, Eastern Time.
Today we are talking the best ways to tweet as a journalist and how to avoid problems. What are the social media guidelines for journalists, beyond 'stay professional' or 'don't be stupid'? Should all journalists in a newsroom be on Twitter? How do you balance encouraging people to add personality with risking getting into trouble?
Bring your #realtalk.
You can check out past chats over here. If you use Tweetchat you don't have to type the hashtag.
If you want to chime in, post a comment in the container or a tweet with the hashtag "#dfmchat" so it can automatically appear below.
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Should news stories be more 'bloggy'?
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| You probably wouldn't use this image in a news story. OR WOULD YOU? |
Today we are talking articles, but also blogs. Should news stories be more 'bloggy'? Should blogs from news organizations be absorbed by the main site's own coverage in articles? Is the blog itself as a form undergoing a crisis? How should one measure a blog's success or failure? Bring in your realtalk!
You can check out past chats over here. If you use Tweetchat you don't have to type the hashtag.
If you want to chime in, post a comment in the container or a tweet with the hashtag "#dfmchat" so it can automatically appear below.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
How to blog, tweet and OMG! CATS!
I had the pleasure of hosting Rosemary Armao's journalism class at SUNY Albany this morning.
You might recognized Armao's voice as one of the hosts of WAMC's "The Media Project", which also hosts Freeman Publisher Ira Fusfeld.
I spoke about some of the Freeman's digital initiatives, some tools, and how they help improve journalism. Some of those initiatives are showcased below:
I was asked to give tips on blogging and Twitter, and I was probably incomprehensible as I tried to cram too much information into a lecture. I think I said something about cats. Repeatedly.
Still, I want to offer the prospective journalists a quick cheat-sheet on how to blog and how to use Twitter. There are others that are way better than me at this. But you're stuck with me, so here it goes.
Quick tips for blogging:
* What to blog. Do you have a passion? Then you have a blog.Write about what you talk about and about what interests you, your beat, etc. Have fun.
* Don't make the post too long. Yes, sometimes you want to write long pieces, but generally speaking, a short post will do better (this is where your training as a concise writer comes in handy).
* Have a voice. If you are just starting, this is the best way to develop your voice. Be personal (though you don't have to if you don't want to). Be yourself. So, yes, add an image and at least a bio.
* Watch out for typos. This might be the copy editor in me, but typos, even in blogs, are not coolsies, unless you're doing it on purposies.
* Add an image. Humans are visual people (Pinterest, anyone?) and people respond better to posts with images than those without. It's not my fault, so don't blame me. It's just more attractive to read. If you don't have an image that fits your particular post, include a stock art image (I actually said "post pictures of cats!" during the lecture, but the point holds, as the image above wonderfully illustrates with cuteness).
Quick tips for Twitter use.
* GET ON TWITTER. Now. I'll wait. (here's an explainer I wrote a while back)
* Are you in. Great! Update an image of yourself (or a cat). Add a bio (link to your blog!), contact info, etc. Don't make your account private. That beats the purpose of the whole thing.
* So what now? I'd give you a Top-10 list if uber media man Craig Kanalley hadn't written a most excellent one already,, for making the most of Twitter. And yes, as Sree Sreenivasan wrote, "make your tweets blue."
There's obviously, a lot more to this. But this should be enough to get you started.
You're welcomsies.
You might recognized Armao's voice as one of the hosts of WAMC's "The Media Project", which also hosts Freeman Publisher Ira Fusfeld.
I spoke about some of the Freeman's digital initiatives, some tools, and how they help improve journalism. Some of those initiatives are showcased below:
I was asked to give tips on blogging and Twitter, and I was probably incomprehensible as I tried to cram too much information into a lecture. I think I said something about cats. Repeatedly.
Still, I want to offer the prospective journalists a quick cheat-sheet on how to blog and how to use Twitter. There are others that are way better than me at this. But you're stuck with me, so here it goes.
Quick tips for blogging:
* Don't make the post too long. Yes, sometimes you want to write long pieces, but generally speaking, a short post will do better (this is where your training as a concise writer comes in handy).
* Have a voice. If you are just starting, this is the best way to develop your voice. Be personal (though you don't have to if you don't want to). Be yourself. So, yes, add an image and at least a bio.
* Watch out for typos. This might be the copy editor in me, but typos, even in blogs, are not coolsies, unless you're doing it on purposies.
* Add an image. Humans are visual people (Pinterest, anyone?) and people respond better to posts with images than those without. It's not my fault, so don't blame me. It's just more attractive to read. If you don't have an image that fits your particular post, include a stock art image (I actually said "post pictures of cats!" during the lecture, but the point holds, as the image above wonderfully illustrates with cuteness).
Quick tips for Twitter use.
* GET ON TWITTER. Now. I'll wait. (here's an explainer I wrote a while back)
* Are you in. Great! Update an image of yourself (or a cat). Add a bio (link to your blog!), contact info, etc. Don't make your account private. That beats the purpose of the whole thing.
* So what now? I'd give you a Top-10 list if uber media man Craig Kanalley hadn't written a most excellent one already,, for making the most of Twitter. And yes, as Sree Sreenivasan wrote, "make your tweets blue."
There's obviously, a lot more to this. But this should be enough to get you started.
You're welcomsies.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
How to cover events live and have users participate while news happens
If you are a regular Freeman user, you might have noticed that we've been venturing in new, um, ventures this year.
We're finally getting the hang of livestreaming important events, such as the Mayor's Message; a city council meeting, the state comptroller's press conference and the state of the County address, and assorted highlights after the fact.
We've encountered some successes as we learn and we're expanding upon this, with live tweets and user comments. We're also working out some kinks, like figuring out how to get my awful face out of the thumbnail in the livestreams.
Ugh!
We've found that the most successful way to do this it to livestream an event, while a reporter files live tweets from the field while, at the same time, users can comment and ask questions, such as "why is the camera on the floor?" (That was a real question from the state of the County address).
Those who miss the live events have a chance to revisit the videos later and post their comments and questions then.
We're also starting what we hope will be a regular feature in ourpages site: Livestreaming with the Mayor.
On Wednesday at 11 a.m., we'll sit down with city of Kingston Mayor James Sottile in a live interview that will be broadcast to the public. What's neat, aside from the live part of it, is that you'll get to ask the questions.
Seriously, try it. Send us your questions, in a comment in this post, or in a tweet or in a Facebook message and we'll ask the mayor, who said is eager to answer your queries. Better yet, come by DailyFreeman.com on Wednesday at 11 a.m. and ask your question live. We're giving more weight to people who use their real names, but if you feel uncomfortable asking your question identifying yourself, that's fine too.
Also, we've been regularly posting your photos and insights into happenings in the Hudson Valley, be it snow storms, gas episodes, award shows and whatever you want and need to know. As users have become producers of content, our 'competitors' are not the traditional media. IT'S YOU!
That's why we're trying to provide you with a better and much, much more engaging Freeman. And that's why we've partnered with SeeClickFix and have a growing roster of area bloggers to provide you with what you want and need.
Yes, we have ways to go. And we know this tenfold. But we can't do this alone, so I'm asking you to share your thoughts with us and tell us what can we do to improve upon this. And believe me, we know that we're not giving you all you want and need. That's our challenge. We're trying to do our best with what we have, and we will focus resources into what's needed.
I can only give you this: The best part is yet to come.
We're finally getting the hang of livestreaming important events, such as the Mayor's Message; a city council meeting, the state comptroller's press conference and the state of the County address, and assorted highlights after the fact.
We've encountered some successes as we learn and we're expanding upon this, with live tweets and user comments. We're also working out some kinks, like figuring out how to get my awful face out of the thumbnail in the livestreams.
We've found that the most successful way to do this it to livestream an event, while a reporter files live tweets from the field while, at the same time, users can comment and ask questions, such as "why is the camera on the floor?" (That was a real question from the state of the County address).
Those who miss the live events have a chance to revisit the videos later and post their comments and questions then.
We're also starting what we hope will be a regular feature in our
On Wednesday at 11 a.m., we'll sit down with city of Kingston Mayor James Sottile in a live interview that will be broadcast to the public. What's neat, aside from the live part of it, is that you'll get to ask the questions.
Seriously, try it. Send us your questions, in a comment in this post, or in a tweet or in a Facebook message and we'll ask the mayor, who said is eager to answer your queries. Better yet, come by DailyFreeman.com on Wednesday at 11 a.m. and ask your question live. We're giving more weight to people who use their real names, but if you feel uncomfortable asking your question identifying yourself, that's fine too.
Also, we've been regularly posting your photos and insights into happenings in the Hudson Valley, be it snow storms, gas episodes, award shows and whatever you want and need to know. As users have become producers of content, our 'competitors' are not the traditional media. IT'S YOU!
That's why we're trying to provide you with a better and much, much more engaging Freeman. And that's why we've partnered with SeeClickFix and have a growing roster of area bloggers to provide you with what you want and need.
Yes, we have ways to go. And we know this tenfold. But we can't do this alone, so I'm asking you to share your thoughts with us and tell us what can we do to improve upon this. And believe me, we know that we're not giving you all you want and need. That's our challenge. We're trying to do our best with what we have, and we will focus resources into what's needed.
I can only give you this: The best part is yet to come.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
New blogs!
We've added some new blogs at The Daily Freeman:
* Mountain Top Natural Pets, which is based out of Greene and Ulster counties, and where Alicia Schaefer blogs about natural dog care and feeding, dog news such as puppy mill busts, adoptable animals, local canine happenings and more.
* Hudson Valley Good Stuff, where Vanessa Geneva Ahern shows you where to eat, play, and recharge your spirit in the Hudson Valley.
The door is still open, and we've got more coming. Send me a line at ilajara@freemanonline.com for consideration
* Mountain Top Natural Pets, which is based out of Greene and Ulster counties, and where Alicia Schaefer blogs about natural dog care and feeding, dog news such as puppy mill busts, adoptable animals, local canine happenings and more.
* Hudson Valley Good Stuff, where Vanessa Geneva Ahern shows you where to eat, play, and recharge your spirit in the Hudson Valley.
The door is still open, and we've got more coming. Send me a line at ilajara@freemanonline.com for consideration
Thursday, June 24, 2010
This week in blogs
A horrible misconstruction of blogs featured at the Daily Freeman:
* City of Kingston Alderman Bill Reynolds goes gangsta with a post about bullets and 420.
* The Frankenstein people at the Ulster County Development Corp. want you to know that the county is ALIVE!
* KingstonCitizens wants you to know there's stuff happening — in Detroit.
* The folks of At The Farmers' Market have found a way to do things with dead fish other than wrapping them in newspapers. Who knew?
* Over at Hudson Valley Good Stuff, rain at a Renegades game is not good stuff.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Blog bits around the valley
* Freeman publisher Ira Fusfeld laments that news organizations peppered their tables at the White House Correspondents Dinner (aka #nerdprom) with celebrities. Not mentioned in the post is that one of those celebrities was Saugerties High School grad Jimmy Fallon.
* Ulster County Legislator Michael Madsen bravely doesn't comment on the controversy over organ donations by posting a news video about presumed consent for organ donations.
* Kingston Alderman Bill Reynolds has found the Kingston Waterfront. Spoiler alert: There's water.
* KingstonCitizens.org excitingly reads the Freeman's classified section and finds a legal notice.
* Porn?
* Food.
* Say cheese!
* Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach posts something someone else wrote.
* The Kingston Digital Corridor unveils its awesome map of Hot Spots in Kingston, showcasing only two sites with Wi-Fi. Off the top of my head I know at least 10. Not to worry, the corridor folks say, "Have one to add? Let us know, and we’ll get ‘em a HotSpot sticker!" What they don't say is how to let them know.
* Over at DragonSearch, Google sucks.
* Like, the folks at 90MilesNorth like to talk about Facebook changes like the 'like' button. Like, because Facebook sucks.
* Which reminds me, I have 100 fans who like me on Facebook.
* Ulster County Legislator Michael Madsen bravely doesn't comment on the controversy over organ donations by posting a news video about presumed consent for organ donations.
* Kingston Alderman Bill Reynolds has found the Kingston Waterfront. Spoiler alert: There's water.
* KingstonCitizens.org excitingly reads the Freeman's classified section and finds a legal notice.
* Porn?
* Food.
* Say cheese!
* Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach posts something someone else wrote.
* The Kingston Digital Corridor unveils its awesome map of Hot Spots in Kingston, showcasing only two sites with Wi-Fi. Off the top of my head I know at least 10. Not to worry, the corridor folks say, "Have one to add? Let us know, and we’ll get ‘em a HotSpot sticker!" What they don't say is how to let them know.
* Over at DragonSearch, Google sucks.
* Like, the folks at 90MilesNorth like to talk about Facebook changes like the 'like' button. Like, because Facebook sucks.
* Which reminds me, I have 100 fans who like me on Facebook.
Monday, April 26, 2010
On today's bloggosphere: YouTube videos, 'known' people, golden opportunities - and your photos suck
* Ulster County Legislator Michael Madsen, D-Kingston, has a new post with a YouTube video posted more than a year ago.
* The Ulster County Development Corp. announces that "an exciting group of nationally known travel and tourism experts" will speak at an upcoming tourism conference. I'm excited to say I don't know any of the "nationally known" speakers.
* KingstonCitizens.org touts "A Golden Opportunity For the City Of Kingston’s Youth." I checked. Sorry, kids, there's no gold.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba gives out some great photo tips after coming to the shocking conclusion that your photos suck.
* Cheyl Paff of At the Farmers Market talks about the Woodstock Farm Festival featuring a cool YouTube video that will give you the munchies.
* The Ulster County Development Corp. announces that "an exciting group of nationally known travel and tourism experts" will speak at an upcoming tourism conference. I'm excited to say I don't know any of the "nationally known" speakers.
* KingstonCitizens.org touts "A Golden Opportunity For the City Of Kingston’s Youth." I checked. Sorry, kids, there's no gold.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba gives out some great photo tips after coming to the shocking conclusion that your photos suck.
* Cheyl Paff of At the Farmers Market talks about the Woodstock Farm Festival featuring a cool YouTube video that will give you the munchies.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
On today's bloggosphere: houses, hipsters and other things that don't start with 'H'
* City Editor Jeremy Schiffres talks about "silly censorship." It's a (EXPLETIVE) eye-opener.
* Ulster County Comptroller Elliot Auerbach talks about all the sold houses I can't afford.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba grapples with being a modern woman in a world of hipsters who wear things like a native-style head dress from Urban Outfitters. I'm afraid to show her this link.
* Leslie Coons talks about deers vs. plants (deers win, by the way); Batiks (not to be confused with batpeople); remembering an influential gardener whose name I can't remember; and making jelly with dandelions (I rather have chicken).
* Andrew Hickey of 90MilesNorth talks about Search engine optimization companies in the Hudson Valley not being clear enough with their clients and other things that are not clear to me.
* The folks at Dragon Search create content about creating content and uses this one place to talk about having "a presence in a LOT of places."
* Ulster County Comptroller Elliot Auerbach talks about all the sold houses I can't afford.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba grapples with being a modern woman in a world of hipsters who wear things like a native-style head dress from Urban Outfitters. I'm afraid to show her this link.
* Leslie Coons talks about deers vs. plants (deers win, by the way); Batiks (not to be confused with batpeople); remembering an influential gardener whose name I can't remember; and making jelly with dandelions (I rather have chicken).
* Andrew Hickey of 90MilesNorth talks about Search engine optimization companies in the Hudson Valley not being clear enough with their clients and other things that are not clear to me.
* The folks at Dragon Search create content about creating content and uses this one place to talk about having "a presence in a LOT of places."
Monday, April 19, 2010
Hudson Valley bloggosphere
Shamelessly selected from the Featured Blogs roster at http://www.dailyfreeman.com/blogs:
* Alderman Bill Reynolds, D-Ward 7, updates "on the BAR info session sponsored by KURA for Tuesday" without saying what BAR or KURA stand for.
The acronyms stand for Board of Assessment review and Kingston Uptown Citizens Alliance - or, possibly, Big-Ass Revolution and Kingston Ukulele Rebels' Algorithm. Who knows?
* The Ulster County Development Corp. mirrors (in UCDC fashion) today's news that close to 200 jobs are coming to TechCity.
* Kingston Main Street Manager Nancy Donskoj highlights businesses that are "Clean and Green." Imaginary restaurant Jimmy's Brown and Dirty Crabhouse didn't make the cut.
* KingstonCitizens.org advances Earth Day events in the city. The Earth will son turn 40 years old, if my math is correct, or something like that.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba showcases how to photographs pin-ups "using stuff from your closet." I would try, but I don't see how dead spiders would help.
* Alderman Bill Reynolds, D-Ward 7, updates "on the BAR info session sponsored by KURA for Tuesday" without saying what BAR or KURA stand for.
The acronyms stand for Board of Assessment review and Kingston Uptown Citizens Alliance - or, possibly, Big-Ass Revolution and Kingston Ukulele Rebels' Algorithm. Who knows?
* The Ulster County Development Corp. mirrors (in UCDC fashion) today's news that close to 200 jobs are coming to TechCity.
* Kingston Main Street Manager Nancy Donskoj highlights businesses that are "Clean and Green." Imaginary restaurant Jimmy's Brown and Dirty Crabhouse didn't make the cut.
* KingstonCitizens.org advances Earth Day events in the city. The Earth will son turn 40 years old, if my math is correct, or something like that.
* Photographer Jen Kiaba showcases how to photographs pin-ups "using stuff from your closet." I would try, but I don't see how dead spiders would help.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
We've got more blogs!
By now you've probably noticed that our roster of featured blogs at http://www.dailyfreeman.com/blogs/ has somewhat gotten bigger.Reaction has been mainly positive. We're listening to your suggestions, so expect improvements and additions in the near future.
Also, the imaginary lawyer breathing fire next to me tells me that "the Daily Freeman is not responsible for posts and comments written by non-staff members."
Caveat emptor.
So without further ado, here they are:
"This blog is one of many methods of getting information out to the masses. I hope to inform as many people as possible with my random posts. This will also give the public a peek into the many interests I may have and where I lean on issues. Additionally I have a way to disseminate incoming news from outside sources looking for another forum in which to vent."
The mission of the Ulster County Comptroller's Office is to serve as an independent agency of the people and to protect the public interest by monitoring County government and to assess and report on the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and its financial condition sound.
A place to exchange thoughts and ideas relating to our community and how we can all be better neighbors. Let this also be a place to discuss local politics without partisanship in hopes we can just move forward and make this a better place to live.
Seventh Ward Alderman Bill Reynolds, the Majority Leader of the Kingston Common Council, was first elected to the Council in 1993. Now in his 9th two-year term as Alderman, Reynolds is in his 14th consecutive year as the Council's Majority Leader.
Britany Turner is a radical ultra-feminine feminist and third-party activist blogging in the Hudson Valley, NY and NOT Sacramento, CA.
Official blog for the agency. Its mission is to promote quality jobs and business in Ulster County.
Official blog of the WFF. Each year film and music lovers from around the world gather for an innovative variety of films, first-class concerts, workshops, celebrity-led panels, an awards ceremony, and fantastic parties.
Official blog of Nancy Donskoj, Kingston Main Street Manager.
The purpose of Neighborhood Watch Groups of Kingston, New York, Inc. is to promote the education of residents and businesses in areas of crime prevention and quality of life and to assist in the safeguarding of the community, its residents and their properties through voluntary activities including the building of a network of neighbors for the reporting of suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities in order to establish and maintain a safe and enjoyable neighborhood for all Kingston residents.
Claudia Corrigan D'Arcy joined the adoption arena in 1987 when, at the age of 19, she faced the proverbial rock and a hard place and "chose" to have her first born son, Max, adopted at birth. After almost 14 years of attempting to live in a self imposed void, she wandered online over 7 years ago, and began to understand the truth behind the adoption mythology that she embraced for survival. Since "waking up" Claudia has devoted much of her time working on adoption education and reform.
Local photographer Jen Kiaba blogs about art, photography and all of the shiny things that happen to catch her attention.
Mary Anne and Chef Richard Erickson talk about all things food in their blog.
Culinary Institute of America's Culinary Intelligence reveals the secrets of the Hyde Park college's world-renowned chefs, who offer their favorite recipes and culinary advice, complete with video demonstrations.
Leslie Coons reveals the region's food, farms, flora and fauna.
Cheryl Paff's journal about what she finds at the farmers' market each week and what she's inspired to cook with it.
Andrew Hickey of 90MilesNorth builds web marketing campaigns for local businesses using social media, search engine marketing, viral video and, most importantly, talent.
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