Writing for Social Media

@stevebuttryMedia Writing

October 20, 2016

Today’s quizWhich these does not follow correct AP style:A. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first

female president.B. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first

woman president.C. If she wins, she would be the first woman

elected president.Email your answer to brouzan94@gmail.com. with “MC2010 quiz” as the subject line.

Today’s presentations• John Frugé, Victoria Cleveland, Mary

Robinson • Tuesday: Shaina Grace, Khoury Ieyoub,

Mary Lebourgeois

Final features• Lots of good ideas• Lots of questions (from me and in your

emails)• Let’s talk; email me good time• After class or Friday morning this week• Monday & Tuesday morning next week• Next Thursday

4th assignmentA story based mostly on an interview. Can’t be a one-source story, but 2nd interview is not required. Other source(s) can be interview(s), online sources, records, etc.

Story is due Thursday, Oct. 27

Tweet during class• At least 3 tweets #manship2010• Use your account & post if you want• Write in email to me & don’t post if you

prefer• No more than 140 characters• You decide content: quote, commentary,

question, photo, observation, etc.

Whatever your platform …• Get to the point quickly• Keep it brief (even if not limited)• Consider images & make writing fit w/

photo or video• Consider tone (what will make people

want to RT, share, engage?)• Rewrite

Opinions in social media• Opinions aren’t inherently bad

journalism (editorials, columns, cartoons, commentary, etc.)

• Opinions can be troublesome for some journalists in some positions or orgs

• Know whether opinions are appropriate for your media role

Today’s quizWhich these does not follow correct AP style:A. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first

female president.B. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first

woman president.C. If she wins, she would be the first woman

elected president.Email your answer to brouzan94@gmail.com. with “MC2010 quiz” as the subject line.

therealvergeon Snapchat

Tanya Sichynsky,USA Today

Social media = journo tool• Monitored competition• Found neighbor who tweeted at TV

station• Checked neighbor’s Facebook page• Found post w/ neighbor’s email• Reporter tracked down neighbor, got

story & more photos

Social media as a source• How do you know a source is genuine?• How does the source know?• Check photos, location, timeline for

context, clues• Ask to call you or connect in person• Grab screenshots

• Posting too often annoys friends, fans

• No 140 limit but short is best

• Good questions start conversations

• Engage, don’t intrude

• Make a point in 140• Story can unfold in

multiple tweets• Hashtags help more

w/ search, conversation

• Engagement not as intrusive

Breaking news on Twitter• Tell unfolding story• Capture the moment• Tweet verified facts• Say what you don’t know• Crowdsource• Use hashtag

#Hashtag tips• Use existing hashtag if there is one• Search before launching hashtag (avoid

duplication)• Look for secondary hashtagsHashtags

help find sources• Use regular hashtags: #GeauxTigers

#TakeTheCrown

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

Writing benefits of Twitter• Paste lead into tweet box. If it’s >140,

challenge whether it’s too long• 140 characters gives great practice at

getting to the point

Even in longer writing …Whether you’re writing a long

story for a newspaper or magazine, or a political speech or a book, whatever you write, consider boiling the essence down to a

single tweet.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt@FDR

We have nothing to fear but fear itself. #NewDeal

Anne Frank@AnnesDiary

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart. #DiaryofaYoungGirl

President John F. Kennedy@JFK

Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. #NewFrontier

Rachel Carson@RachelCarson

In nature nothing exists alone. #SilentSpring

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.@MLKing

I have a dream today! #Freeatlast

Ronald Reagan@TheGipper

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! #Freedom

Let’s see (and hear)your tweets