on-the-news-desk

Working to define, not be defined

Mon, 30 May 2011 19:56:00 +0100

Almost three months have passed since I last wrote and announced my decision to leave CBS4 News after 10 1/2 years On the News Desk.

I’ve been waiting for my feet to find steady ground. I’ve been finding my new place and how exactly I fit. I’ve been too exhausted at the end of the day to write.

I have composed many blogs in my mind and seriously need to start recording my thoughts so they aren’t lost!

My personal blog has been just as neglected, which is truly sad because I had planned on writing all about having a baby girl and growing step-sons. (Yes, this plays a part in being exhausted at the end of the day!)

I’ve tried to write and end up watching the cursor blink at me blandly. It’s not that I don’t have anything to write. It’s I have so much I could write. Pay special attention to “could.” That’s where I get hung up and curse the blinking cursor.

My career took a huge step into Management. I now have many more responsibilities and boundaries that I didn’t have before. It’s no longer just me pioneering and experimenting with social media as a journalist, and hoping along the way the station adopts the “best of” practice on which I stumbled.

I am now creating policy and implementing social and digital media strategies for the networks of 9NEWS (trust me, there really are several entities to make up these networks) and for individuals within 9NEWS. I’m in meetings of all sizes to discuss the big picture and the pictures within the big pictures. Sometimes I’m in so many meetings that I see my desk only to drop off and to pick up my purse.

I wonder what became of my day and wonder what my Facebook and Twitter friends have been doing. Then I see my ideas being implemented and smile with pride and excitement. In that moment I forget I haven’t checked in with my own social networks in hours.

My strategies aren’t anything that I haven’t spoken or written about before. I am a journalist who works every day to advance our industry in ways to connect to current and potential news consumers. What I do is not about me.

I’ve always hoped what I’ve done has helped another journalist use social media. Now I’m seeing it done. I don’t claim that I and my coworkers have done anything revolutionary, or even done something first. That’s not the point. The point is that we’re doing it and working together to find ways to connect with news consumers.

I may not always be at liberty now to explain the strategies and ideas beforehand or as we first try it. This is one area I must respect now as a Manager. This doesn’t mean I can never talk about it. Now when I share what’s happening, it’ll be more of an analysis of what we’ve done.

Every day I am thrilled to walk into 9NEWS as Digital Content Manager. Every day I ask, “How are we going to use social networks today?” Every day I get to define this use and to lead those efforts.

Yet, I don’t do it alone. Every day I get to collaborate with journalists who are testing their own boundaries and use of social technologies. Their excitement and accomplishments make me so very proud, and keep pushing me along when I’m working on other projects or training others.

I’m still finding my footing and am still answering, “What is it you do now?” I have found more balance lately. I have an answer: “I help make our on-air news and our web site play well together in the social media-sphere.”

This answer may surprise you. What I do is about the end product – the stories we tell. I need to get you to want to hear our voices, our stories amidst the overwhelming voices, and clutter, on the World Wide Web and on the hundreds of television stations many of us have to choose among.

We have to add our voices to the masses and must make our voices stand out so you know we’re there. We have to gain your trust so you’re willing to come see our stories. This can be accomplished in the social media-sphere.

My goal is to define our social media use, instead of letting it define us.

I signed off the news desk at CBS4 News for the last time

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:18:48 +0100

I signed off from the CBS4 News desk for the last time last night after 10 plus years as an Assignment Editor because I’ve accepted the position of Digital Content Manager at 9News. When I think of my life, channel 4 and everyone at the station is right there along with thoughts about my family. I can’t picture life away from there, but now I must.

I grew up at channel 4 on the news desk. I thought I knew everything when I started here right out of college and it turns out I knew very little. I learned so much from everyone at channel 4 that I now consider friend, even family.

Just as every family has a problem child, I readily admit I took my turn at being the problem child occasionally over the years. The challenges were met with patience and guidance. I am so grateful for every chance and opportunity I was given to learn, to grow, and to develop into the journalist I’ve become.

Saying thank you to everyone at 4 simply isn’t enough, but it’s all I’ve got and it comes from every part of my heart.

I did not come to this decision lightly. Hours, days even, were spent in conversation, meditation and prayer in deciding to move my career in a new direction at 9News. CBS4 News allowed me to become a journalist who focuses on utilizing social technologies and interactive marketing and media to connect with news consumers. 9News is embracing these journalistic efforts and will allow me to further develop new methods to reach people.

I was asked what my dream job would be. It turns out my description almost 100% matches what 9News wants to do. I am honored that I was chosen to lead, to share and to teach social outreach initiatives for 9News. It’s not often someone gets to grab onto her dream job and develop it from the beginning.

The great sadness I feel for leaving 4 is matched my excitement for this amazing opportunity. I am thrilled to be meeting new people and to be working with talented journalists. I believe our work will set industry standards.

I am committed to providing news in a way that best connects with our community. This means that I have got to be open to many new and different options, that may not make the traditional journalist comfortable. I want to hear from you on what you’d like to see happen. I can’t promise that I’ll be able to do it, but I will always discuss ideas and implement what I can.

As always: Be smart. Be safe. Don’t be the news... or at least don’t be the bad news. ;-D

10 press release etiquette tips and requests

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:47:33 +0100

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in a media round table luncheon hosted by PRSA Colorado. I was asked questions about newsroom staffing, editorial decision making, press release preferences, best newsroom contacts, best times to call, and much more.   It seems I’ve taken a lot of questions about press releases lately; or maybe it’s because the luncheon happened not long ago so it just seems like a lot more than normal.

I haven’t written much about press releases since Good-bye press release I didn’t even open. I admit I was pretty harsh in what I wrote – even though it’s the truth and I stand by every word still today. I don’t want to come across nearly as harsh in this and I definitely don’t want to imply I or other journalists know it all.

In fact I know of a reporter who recently left the industry to go into the PR field. The news desk received this person’s first press release this week and I wanted to scream. The date of the event was in the very last line of a two page press release with a link to a web page to get the rest of the information, such as time and location. I literally banged my head lightly against the desk and wondered how this former-journalist didn’t get it.

In light of the above I humbly submit the following 10 press release etiquette tips and requests:

1.       There’s a reason every journalist and PR professional is taught about Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How in class 101. This is the meat and bones of any story and press release. If it’s not at the very top, like within the first two paragraphs, the likelihood of your event being filed decreases and its chance to be trashed increases exponentially.
        Out of the famous W’s & H, the most important in releases promoting a future event is the when. Often I look for the date and time only so I can file it for future discussion. To be brutally honest I don’t care who’s going to be there or why the event is happening until the day before or the day of the event.
        I’m dealing with a dozen or so tasks at the same time that are relevant to that day, to the upcoming newscast, that are under deadline when your release shows up in my inbox. The last thing I have time for is searching for that information. If I have to search I often leave the press release in my inbox with the thought that I will get back to it later when I have time. Next thing I know I have several of these releases waiting for me at the end of the day because I haven’t had time earlier to do it. Guess what? These releases often get deleted because my mind is tired. I admit this is a fault of my own and that I should put in the extra effort to search for the simple details of time and date, but I don’t always do it.

2.       The press release needs to be in the body of the email so I’m not forced to open a document to find out the pertinent information. Attachments are great for supplemental information and to have as a second copy of the press release, but should not be how I have to access the 5 W’s & H. This doesn’t just make it easier for me, but guarantees that I receive the information. There is no guarantee that your attachment will make it through the system firewall or can be opened on my computer system.

3.    Press releases with large attachments that fill up my inbox will be deleted. I try to save and file the info but if the attachments aren’t necessary for covering the event, they won’t be saved. I know you think everything you send me is necessary to cover the event, but I’m sorry often they’re not even opened. Everything you’ve attached, I expect to be able to gather at the event. This isn’t just me being lazy. This is a matter of space. I can’t even begin to describe the amount of media that comes into a newsroom every day. There simply isn’t enough space or memory to save it all. So I save only what is needed and trash everything else.

4.    When possible use a social media press release or web based press release, such as is created through PitchEngine or Webb PR’s Media Rich Platform. (This does not mean you don’t include the basic press release, the 5 W’s & H, in the body of the email; ALWAYS include that information in every email.) Instead of sending several attachments use a system where I can access all that information, pictures, videos, background information, etc., on the web so I’m not forced to delete it or use precious space and memory in the station systems.
        The other benefit of this is that I am a firm believer in utilizing social networks at all times. When you provide information online for me, I’m more than happy to share the links through Tweets, facebook or other networks. This link can also be included in the web story that the station posts on its website. Even better is a Tweet or Facebook like button that I can easily click, share and be done.

5.    While hyperlinks are awesome and make an email press release easy to use, I also need to ask you to include the full web address, or at least a shortened link like bit.ly. The news system I use, INews, does not read hyperlinks. I don’t know of any news system that does read hyperlinks. When I copy and past information into the system the link is lost. If you want to use hyperlinks in the body of the email for a clean look, I suggest that you put all links you’ve used at the bottom of the release so when I copy and paste the addresses are saved. This way when I or others have time to look over the information we can copy the addresses and go to the web to open the information.

6.    I’m at a station where most everything needs to go through us on the assignment desk. Each station works a a litter differently, so call and ask the best way to submit a press release. If you have a reporter or producer you routinely work with, send the pitch to them, but I suggest you also send it to the desk just to make sure it’s seen.

7.    Each station is different. We look for different ways to tell stories. We have news goals and identities to guide us. Tailor your pitch to fall in line with the way the station would cover the story. If you know a station looks for the health angle in most stories, in your release point out the health angles. This extra work on your part may get your pitch on top of the pile of pitches. If you don’t know what a station wants, call and ask.

8.    Follow through with a phone call to the assignment desk, reporter or producer, to make sure your email was received and ask if any more information is needed. You can ask if we’ll cover it, but if the event isn’t that day, you’ll be told that the decision on coverage probably won’t be made until day of the event. Instead ask what time our editorial meetings are so you can call back on the day of the event to find out coverage decisions after the meeting has ended. Or call in that reminder pitch before the meeting with the understanding that even at that time you may not get an answer yet on if there will be coverage of not.

9.    Do not call within an hour of news time. We’re on several deadlines a day and are busy trying to meet those deadlines. The closer it is to deadline the less I want to talk to you. If you call close to deadline I’ll probably only be able to give you part of my attention. If things are really crazy my brain may not be able to retain anything you just told me. When you call always ask if it’s a good time to talk. Even if you’re calling hours before a newscast, there may be breaking news or just general business of the day that would make it a bad time for you to call.

10.    My newsroom coworkers may skin me alive for admitting this, but goodies sent with your release does not give your event higher status than any pitch we receive. I won’t lie food or other fancy items sent to the newsroom will probably bring attention to your release by many in the newsroom, but that still does not guarantee that you will get any coverage. So while every part of me says - send the yummies - I in good conscience cannot tell you this is a good practice.

I mentioned I participated in the PRSA media round table. I was interviewed after the event regarding today's newsroom.

Facebook page admins be wary of mind control tactics

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:11:29 +0100

If you’re a facbook page administrator like I am I bet you were ready to pull your hair out yet again at some of the recent changes to facebook pages. Some of the changes I welcomed with open arms, such as being able to post as your page. I love this as I see the increased marketing potential. One change reaffirmed my suspicion that facebook is trying to take over the world.

Facebook started deciding what was most relevant and important for each of us. MIND CONTROL.

This didn’t happen with just Pages, but also Profiles. All of a sudden I started seeing fewer posts and only posts from friends and pages with which I normally interacted. I had to manually change my feed to show me all posts. While I may not always comment or interact with a friend or a person I am always interested in what they’re doing. It’s like people watching.

Then the new changes to pages started to roll out for beta testing. I knew facebook was going to force the change in March so I decided to change immediately so I could play and learn. My blood pressure rose as I realized that chronological order to pages had disappeared. The pages own posts stayed in order, but post from everyone else were all over the page. I saw red.

As an administrator I could switch to a most recent view so I could see chronological order but that just added one more step to my already very busy day where I only have seconds to glance at the page to see what’s happening. Then I realized the way I viewed the page was completely different than how others would view the page because facebook was deciding what was most important to me for me. I felt my free will being taken away from me. I don’t want anyone or thing deciding what is most relevant to me.

Here is where I will admit the algorithm, EdgeRank, facebook developed is pretty awesome (and I so totally don’t get equations at all). I understand facebook is trying to make its platform a fuller experience for users with quality and content by eliminating spam. Yet I come back to that I am the owner of my account and will take care of anything I deem as spam or pages or friends that I decide are no longer worth my time. Also as page admin it is my responsibility to create quality content, not facebook's.

As a page administrator though I viewed this only as facebook hurting the community that had been formed. The CBS4 Denver page is very active. People will post thoughts and comments on the page. Sometimes they post about stories we’re covering. Other times they post news tips or concerns they have about a situation that affects them personally. Often these posts lead to other community members commenting and a dialogue would ensue. This is the sign of a healthy active community. Sometimes the newsroom benefits as well with the news tips or finding news resources. Other times it is all about the community doing they’re own thing.

All of a sudden I saw post after post from community members that were buried at the bottom of the stream and no one else was commenting on it. It was like the community member was speaking but no one was listening. How sad for the community. In my opinion this is a facebook disservice and tragedy as the flow of dialogue is interrupted, even halted as it's now lost to other community members. Our news page is not about us, but about our community. The community has been hurt by facebook.

Facebook heard the cry of page administrators and has now made it possible for community members to view “Top Posts”, which are the posts that facebook decides are most important to you, or to view “Most Recent, which puts the page back in chronological order. Unfortunately, “Top Posts” is the default. You have to do the switch, just like you had to do the switch in your profile to see all posts.

You have to personally take mind control away from facebook and make it yours again. My fear is that not many people truly understand all of this. They just get frustrated by the changes but eventually accept them without realizing they can take control back.

Here is where you say, “well it’s not my fault that person can’t figure it out.” Here’s where I say, “it’s up to us page administrators to keep our posts relevant with quality content and conversation.” It’s our responsibility to keep our communities healthy and active despite facebook’s global domination tactics.

Twitter note to my fellow area Journalists

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:21:06 +0100

In the last few weeks I’ve seen a surge of journalists throughout the metro area creating Twitter accounts. Some are using the accounts. Some are letting them sit stagnant. To my fellow journalists who have now decided to at least take a look at Twitter: Welcome. This post is not meant to be a lecture, but more of a friendly, “here are some tips.”

I don’t know why the sudden surge from several media outlets from newspaper to TV (broadcast, public and cable), to radio, has been happening. For some it seems as if maybe you’ve wanted to try for a while, maybe even created your account months ago, but you are just now starting to use Twitter. For others it seems like a company mandate has come down, or not as harsh at least a push, to start Twitter.

Whatever your reason, please know this: what you do on Twitter will brand yourself and your organization. Always be aware of this. Think of Twitter, or any other social network, as tools you are using. These tools are for marketing and journalistic resource efforts.

Just as every marketing campaign has a plan, you need to have a plan for how you are going to use Twitter or other social media. I hope your organization has a plan, or at least goals for using social media. If so, fall in line with that plan (while being willing to push boundaries and experiment.) If not, I implore you, please come up with your own goals and plans. I promise if you do, you will have success in ways that you won’t if you just go willy-nilly.

I know that you may view me as your competition, but more than competition I am a journalist who works every day to advance our industry in ways to connect to current and potential news consumers. What I do is not about me. If you’re willing, check out some of what I’ve written about my experiences On the News Desk and with Journalism in a Social Media World. I would rather help my competition then see our industry lag behind or hear you ridiculed among the social media circles in the metro area.

The metro area is alive and full with news consumers going first to social networks. They watch, critique and discuss what we do. I have open relationships, virtual and in person, with many of our area social media influencers. I hear about it when I, our news organizations, other journalists, or you succeed or fail. I want us all to succeed.

I hope when you figure out something that works for you that you would be willing to share it with me and other journalists for the exact same reason: future of news.

I must now do a little schooling about Twitter. Some of you have blocked me from following you. You haven’t stopped me. There are many ways around the block. I am following you, just as you should follow me and every other journalist in our area.

For competition alone you should be following all you can. Someday another favorite C word may come into play, Collaboration, which I believe is an important part of our industry’s future. I don’t mean pool situations. I don’t mean we give each other everything so we all have the same newscast. This is one of my radical, disruptive, ideas that I’ll save for another post.

Unless you have a private account, I have gotten around your block and am following what you are doing on Twitter. If you have a private account I implore you to change to a public account. Unless you are using Twitter for personal reasons only and do not associate yourself as a journalist or with a news organization, you need to have a public account. A private account makes you look like you’re doing your own censoring, makes others wonder what you’re up to that requires you to be private, and overall is a big #FAIL.

Ways to get around the block, which I admit are flaws in Twitter:

If you are listed, I can follow that list and in turn follow you. What! You exclaim! This isn’t supposed to happen, but more often than not I check lists and am able to see the tweets of someone who has blocked me. Sometimes the block works and your tweets in that list don’t show up.

In case Twitter is working properly and I can’t see you in a list, I am following you through a one of my many personalities. Your tweets show up in that feed, which I in turn monitor all the time through applications like Hootsuite, Tweetdeck or Seesmic. You and I may have even tweeted each other and you’ve not known it’s me.

If I think you may get suspicious of my alter ego I use yet another identity to list you in a private list. You don’t even know you’re in this list, which again I’m streaming at all times.

Finally, even though I’m blocked again Twitter occasionally lets me outright view your stream by simply checking out your profile. Yes, this is another Twitter #Fail.

There is truly much more to Twitter. Even if you think I’m being pompous in writing this note, I hope you at least keep these C words in mind when using Twitter, all important and in no particular order:
• Competition
• Collaboration
• Conversation
• Content
• Chat
• Creative
• Consistent
• Community
• Character
• Commitment

Take steps beyond Twitter and Facebook

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:24:04 +0100

In the past three weeks I’ve found myself giving social media 101 lessons to coworkers. Two thoughts simultaneously crashed in my mind. “Aren’t we beyond 101?” SLAMS into “W00t! We’re here!” Working with social media has become such a part of my daily life and work, that I forget that others are still testing the waters.

This is something I can’t forget. As a journalist working to progressively move news beyond the traditional I can’t move forward independently while others are taking their first steps. I can’t because it’s not all about me. I’m not working just for me. I am working to keep journalistic efforts relevant in many places. This work may get me places but it won’t get the masses there without me and without other like me running back and forth to spread the good news.

I believe I and others need to push boundaries that make others shake in their boots. Sure these boot shakers may be proven right in the end, but we may just end up finding the equivalent of the next great thing to peanut butter and jelly in this world of news we journalists love. It’s sort of like every thinker and inventor who pushed to make even the smallest change that bettered our future.

Thomas Edison didn’t back down from perfecting the electric light bulb. He built upon what was already out there, he went through thousands of tests, and eventually lighted the world. He of course knew what he had achieved but then he took the time to explain it and show it. (Yes, I’ve been watching America The Story of Us.)

I still believe the beginning for any person, company, or organization looking at using social media, the beginning is answering the question of Why. Once you know why you want to use these networks, then you can make goals and plans. (BTW social media is much more than Facebook and Twitter.)

At this point I ask myself as a journalist, “What’s next? And, how can I be a part of getting the news there?” Is the answer in the delivery of the news, in the marketing of the news, or in collaboration of the news? Yes to each of these.

Next I ask, “Is what I am doing relevant to the story? Am I adding or detracting to the story?” I gage my actions on these answers. Social media only works in TV news when it adds value, gives the story context, for all viewers, but especially the viewer who doesn’t use social media.

For most TV news stations the beginning use of social media was showing Tweets and Facebook postings from viewers in relation to stories. This practice continues and sometimes it adds to the story, sometimes it detracts. TV producers have got to get past this practice alone be progressive in reaching current and potential viewers.

I have a couple of next steps producers can take:

Maps are used all the time in telling stories. Take this one step further to use an interactive map (not just the cool traffic report graphics and maps stations use.) During a large scale breaking news or developing news situation, always check to see if Project EPIC has a map started. I sat and watched in amazement during the Four Mile Fire in Boulder as the map developed and grew. It became a living tool that allowed everyone to contribute information.

Or start your own Google map where anyone can add to it. A couple of months ago I created a Colorado Snow Report map. During snow storms I add information I receive on the news desk to the map, which includes information and pictures.   I build up the map and encourage others to add their own content as well. This map at any time can be shown during a newscast to help people visualize the storm beyond their own homes and beyond the live news crews reporting from the field.

View Colorado Snow Report in a larger map

Maps usually aren’t scary because they are controlled by the news department. An interactive, collaborative map takes that control out of our hands.   Take a breath and realize this really is no different than taking witness sound during breaking news. A reporter can’t confirm a witness report during that situation.
When I run the interactive map I take the time and do the work necessary to confirm what others are posting on the map. I also do what I can to keep the map clean by deleting posts that are no longer relevant, like a report of an accident after it is cleaned up.

Another step is to provide a play list of news because people want on-demand, buffet style news. There are so many different online streams of news now, your story can get lost. You can specialize the buffet by using an application or site like Storify to create one place for all your stories and information to be found.   Embed, post and share your buffet of news.

Then use all of your resources (newscast, newspaper, social media accounts, etc.) to send people to your website to check out all you've been able to incorporate into the story. Our journalism industry was built on the written word, then radio, then TV and now Internet. Internet brings it all together. Mobile technology is growing as fast as the TV makers did. Apps for our websites are truly a necessity now, but if an App doesn’t exist, use existing outside Apps that can take your news mobile.

I can’t stress enough how much conversation and collaboration are necessary to be seen and heard out of all that exists online. You must be willing to be unconventional and to work in ways you probably haven’t done before. The online world is a monster that changes and evolves. You can either be happy doing what others are doing, or you can be a part of the evolution.

Twitter and Facebook can power a revolution. We journalists can power our own revolution. Just remember, it's not just about you. Take the time to share and to teach what you know.

What do you know? What have you tried lately - fail or success?

I am an assignment editor

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:05:29 +0100

I can't resist posting this xtra normal episode by spexorama: I Am An Assignment Editor. It so nicely describes what I do on the news desk. The frustration I sometimes feel when I try to explain my job shows eloquently. Of course I know how important the position of the assignment editor is in the newsroom, and in trying to explain/show that importance, I admit a tiny bit of embellishment may be added. There are certainly days where I feel like a glorified telephone operator, or intern!

The meaning of the Toy Drive

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:56:24 +0100

I remember at least one Christmas as a child where my family was helped by the kindness and generosity of others. Due to these people I will never know, my brothers, sister and I got presents under the tree. We were able to have a special breakfast with Santa. We were taken on a shopping trip where we each got to spend a certain amount of money. The kind woman that was with just us kids made sure we bought presents for mom and dad too.

I don’t remember how old I was, but I was old enough to understand. We were getting Christmas because of others. By then I already knew presents weren’t the reason for Christmas, but I remember feeling happy that I’d be able to tell my friends and classmates what I got. That first day back to school was always filled with tales of presents, showing off new loot, and sharing fun stories.

I felt relief. I’d be able to answer these questions without feeling bad; without feeling poor. I think this was so much more important than the actual toys and clothes I receive.

For my younger siblings, they got so much joy out of the presents and entire experience. I don’t know how much they understood what was happening and why. To them it was a great adventure that made us each feel special. Only certain kids were invited to that breakfast with Santa you know. To get this invite must certainly mean we had been the best-est kids E V E R!

A few years later I convinced my 4-H club to adopt a family for Christmas. I knew how important and meaningful this was for those kids, that I’d once been like. Every year since then I have adopted a kid, or a family, or donated presents. In part this is my way of saying thank you to those that had helped us so long ago while also paying it forward.

When I started dating my husband, the reason for donating took on a deeper meaning. My husband lost his first child, his baby girl, to SIDS. Now we adopt a little girl that is the same age as his Angel would be now. We do it in honor and memory of her.

My stepsons help us pick out gifts. We explain to them why we do it. We explain how we need to help other kids get gifts like they’re going to get. Now that they’re 9 and 10 they understand a little better the importance of what we’re doing.
I share all of this with you because over the last several days the station has received several press releases from organizations whose donations are severely down. Some have had to turn families away after telling them they could help them. The numbers of people asking for assistance has increased for all these organizations.

I look at the news stories and economic reports that say the economy has turned around, but right now, I don’t see it this way. Even two years ago when the reports were blasting how horrible it was and that we needed to prepare for the long haul, people still donated. I don’t know if the reports are so far off and reality is the economy for the majority is worse, or if people haven’t felt this economic turn-around yet and can’t donate, or if people sacrificed in the past and are now treating themselves, or if spirit and morale is so low that the Grinch is more prevalent in our character.

At the same time I see people responding to the need and going above and beyond to reach out with helping hands. Once again CBS Denver has partnered with King Soopers for a Toy Drive for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver. The donations have been amazing, but the numbers are significantly lower than years past. I don’t know if the numbers are this way because the number of kids has increased dramatically, or if donations are way down, or a combination of both.

The station is going to have an Emergency Toy Drive Tuesday, Dec. 21st to try to gather as many gifts as possible for these kids. If you are at all able to give even one small gift, I ask you to do so. Even if you don’t help with the station’s toy drive, there are many organizations accepting donations of food, clothing and toys.

I know you hear it all the time, “it’s for the kids.” I assure you, it really is all for the kids. I can also imagine how my parents felt when we received help. It’s for the entire family. While Christmas isn’t about gifts, it is about love, kindness and family.

A Social Media Outline for any Journalist

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:26:07 +0100

It’s really been quite hard for me to maintain a train of thought these last few months of pregnancy. That’s obvious by my lack of blogging, and the fact that I’ve mentioned this before! To handle family, home, work and the rest of life I didn’t force myself to write other than necessary tasks. I did, however, need to write out the below Social Media Outline for any Journalist.

This need was for myself as I needed to formalize a basic goal plan of what I want to achieve in my own career. I’m headed for maternity leave and have already worked my last day on the news desk before leave actually starts. I want to expand what I’m currently doing as a journalist who uses social media when I return. So I wrote it out as simple and as basic as possible.

It’s broken down into sections. I separated out the Social Media and Interactive Journalist from the Social Media and Interactive Producer. It must be noted that these two positions combined into one can define the MultiMedia Journalist that many newsrooms are now using.

I did the outline this way for the journalist that uses social networks, but doesn’t also work on the website. The Producer section is intended for the station looking to actually create a lead position to oversee social media and web efforts. The entire outline, which also separates out uses and goals for certain social networks and the web, can be used in any broadcast or print media outlet and even be implemented in any business.

A Social Media Outline For Any Journalist

*Interaction means two-way communication. A one way communicator is a bad brand. One way communication is when all that is shared are headlines and links without commentary of any. Only true interaction and being a participating member of a community will create brand awareness within that community.

Simple truths about social media:
    •    Social Media is branding. However social media is used a brand is created; therefore, any actions taken with social media must work with any existing company brand.
    •    As with any brand awareness campaign, the goal is to keep and to attract new consumers. Social media is a brand awareness campaign. Use social media tools to communicate and to interact* with several different online communities. This will share the brand with existing and new consumers.
    •    Social media is a resource made up of many different non-traditional communication tools.
    •    Social media does not replace the value of the end product – the newscast and the website – it enhances it.
    •    Good, fair, balanced, complete, ethical journalism is still needed and desired by the public.
    •    Social media creates fragmented information.
    •    Journalists are needed to pull that fragmented information together to tell a complete and whole story.
    •    Social media is not a newsroom tool. It is a station tool that must be used in the same manner with the same brand voice through all station efforts: newsroom, community affairs, marketing, etc.

The Social Networking and Interactive Journalist:
    •    Believes in utilizing non-traditional content delivery systems, which includes but is not limited to, all aspects of the company website, blogs, podcasts, vlogs, mobile technology, and social media communities like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, YouTube, Ustream, to connect with and to reach consumers, which are the readers and viewers
    •    Understands that first and foremost any efforts on these platforms are marketing/branding of him/herself, as well as the company
    •    Has goals to connect with and to reach these consumers through true interaction*
    •    Has a flexible strategy to reach these goals
    •    Has a distinctive voice that reflects the journalist as well as the company
    •    Does not push out content only, but truly interacts* with consumers by responding to comments, chatting with followers/friends, and being an actual participating member of the social media community
    •    Maintains journalistic ethics and standards
    •    Understands the Internet landscape, mobile technology and the fundamentals of how communication methods are ever changing, therefore; any strategy must be flexible to keep up with new advances and changes
    •    Works within the boundaries of any existing company social media policy, but is willing to discuss new ideas and push for advances beyond what the policy entails

Interactive and Social Networking Producer:
    •    Is different than the Interactive and Social Networking Journalist
    •    Follows all the same guidelines as the Journalist
    •    Main objective is the overall voice and brand of the company, not just an individual voice
    •    Assists in creating individual strategies or voices for Journalists
    •    Set goals to be achieved by the use of social media
    •    Assists in creating plans and strategies in using social media for all aspects of the station from day to day news, special projects, events, community affairs and marketing
    •    Works to accomplish the set plans with the flexibility to alter them as needed to make them more effective
    •    Works independently and as part of the team to accomplish set strategies and to achieve desired goals
    •    Participate in planning meetings, managerial meetings, web meetings, and any other meeting where a social media strategy can be used
    •    Oversees day to day use of social networks
    •    Monitor the station social media brand using a variety of available web tools
    •    Assist with website – update stories, post breaking news alerts, send texts, etc.,
    •    Monitor, and when appropriate responds, to comments posted on website and social networks
    •    Generate news tips, resources and story ideas
    •    Follow existing and new social network trends and adapt usage of social networks as needed

Objectives for a news station:
    •    Create and publish a Comments Policy specifically for facebook and the website (There may be an existing comment policy for the website, either corporate or for us, but I can’t find it. If it exists, it needs to be published in an accessible area of the website.)
    •    Create a strategy for Community Affairs projects and events
    •    Generate content – written stories, video and pictures – to be used specifically for the website and social networks
    •    Assist in setting up Interactive HelpCenters by submitting topics, arranging live guests, setting up panels
    •    Continue to search for news stories for both on air and web distribution
    •    Work with Social Media Team (hope interns one day too) to be consistent with content
    •    Maintain and expand efforts on existing social networks being used by the station
    •    Use social networks for all areas of the station: news, community affairs, marketing/branding

Facebook
    •    Create and publish a comment and posting policy (posting meaning fans of the site who post directly on the page)
    •    Move away from uploading videos directly to Facebook for upload only on YouTube, which is linked with the Facebook page (reasons: looks better and builds two social networks at once)
    •    Use Notes or Discussions more to create more conversation about stories and issues
    •    Monitor all use of the page

Twitter
    •    Go through the list of those being followed and eliminate any accounts that may not be appropriate to follow, like spam accounts
    •    Share headlines, generate conversation, find news tips, etc.
    •    Use heavily during breaking news to keep community updated, as well as find witnesses, video, and pictures that we can also use
    •    Use during developing/continuing stories to keep topic top of mind,
    •    First place for updates or new developments to be shared
    •    Direct followers to website for complete story
    •    Create relevant Twitter chats to promote stories, market our brand
    •    Ask reporters to be involved in Twitter chats
    •    Find appropriate events to Tweet live
    •    Monitor replies and Direct Messages
    •    Participate in conversation

YouTube
    •    Build the community
    •    Produce more YouTube videos (remember these will auto link with Facebook)
    •    Publish web exclusives on YouTube as well as on station website
    •    Headline and tag each video appropriately
    •    Geotag when able
    •    Monitor comments

UStream and/or live video Webcasts
    •    Benefit of using UStream over a web chat is the ability to integrate Facebook and Twitter in the chat portion of UStream ALSO all UStream videos can be archived and linked to YouTube, which in turn links to Facebook
    •    Set up UStream discussion panels for promotion and to raise awareness of stories
    •    Build the community
    •    Monitor comments

Website
    •    Find existing comment policy and post it somewhere on the site where it’s accessible for all
    •    Create comment policy if one doesn’t exist
    •    Monitor comments
    •    Use social networks to promote website
    •    Assist in any interactive aspects of the website – chats, casts, etc.
    •    Update developing stories as often as possible
    •    Write/produce stories/content exclusively for the website that aren’t for the newscasts

Interactive efforts that could be expanded or implemented
    •    Foursquare – value in having reporters check-in at certain story locations?
    •    Podcasts – a weekly sports or weather podcast?
    •    Blogs – any others who would like to maintain a blog?
    •    Mobile technology – what should we be looking at? What can we look at, or is that all up to Network?
    •    Always look for what’s new or making a comeback, like will GoogleWave ever be a good tool?

Alien abductee email news tip

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:53:02 +0100

“John Doe

Denver
555-555-55555
Granting an on air t.v. interview about alien abductions. An abductee requesting an interview. How does this work? Can someone contact me to explain the process. 555-555-5555 and ask for John Doe over at No Name Modeling & Talent Agency”

Yes, the above is indeed a news tip/request that the station received last week via email. To protect the identity of the tipster, I changed the name and a few other details. All of my changes are in italics.

Every once in a while we receive alien abduction tips, but by no means are these the craziest we’ve ever received. Much like the consistency of the phone calls, we can also rely on the wacky to the absurd email news tip.

Oh, and we can’t rule out the random faxes, nor the written letters!

Please share your craziest news tip or customer experience!