Using

@stevebuttryOnline Media Campus

May 20, 2010

in breaking newsto rule

Resources to help journo tweeps

• “Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• “Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog

• These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry

• Webinar archived, Online Media Campus

Let’s ask the tweeps for their tips on using Twitter

for breaking news

What’s your social media strategy?

Quakes show Twitter’s value• Indonesia• Twitter HQ• Lists• Location search• Term or #hashtag search

Before the big story breaks

• Follow lots of local people• Join local conversation• Attend tweetups• Master Twitter search• Promote local #hashtag taxonomy

(#okstorm)• Read my “breaking news” blog posts,

especially @statesman case study

When the big story breaks• Connect w/ witnesses• Crowdsource• Tweet early & often• Seek verification• Address rumors (say

what you don’t know)• Seek photos• Converse w/ public

• Answer questions• Thank contributors• Promote fresh

content• Link to new reports

(even competitors’)• Be human (fun where

appropriate)

@statesman case study

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

Say what you don’t know

Converse w/ public

Link to fresh content

Link to fresh content

Verify, verify, verify

Verify, verify, verify

People to follow

• Look for sources (find people)• Ask sources• Journalists in other communities• When someone follows you, check out to

see whether you should follow back• When you follow someone, check whom

they follow• Tweeps mentioned in interesting tweets

@davidreevely, Ottawa Citizen

Examples from one day in Iowa

• Click trends• Search hashtag #iagaymarriage• @tdorman from Supreme Court, press

conference• @DM_in_the_PM from rally• @dianeheldt from court

When the big story breaks• Connect w/ witnesses• Crowdsource• Tweet early & often• Seek verification• Correct rumors• Seek photos• Converse w/ public

• Answer questions• Thank contributors• Promote fresh

content• Link to new reports

(even competitors’)• Be human (fun where

appropriate)

Ethical considerations

• How do you identify yourself?• Ask skeptical questions• Seek verification• Ask question, don’t repeat rumor• Correct quickly

Let’s check advice from the tweeps

Questions?

Ask questions now or by email (sbuttry@tbd.com) or DM (@stevebuttry)

Wrapping up• These slides at

slideshare.net/stevebuttry• Follow me on Twitter: @stevebuttry• @statesman case study, other breaking

news examples, Twitter tips, links to journalists & helpful resources on Twitter on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• Webinar archive: Online Media Campus• Send me your breaking news examples