Journalists Use Social Media To Find Stories

Posted on | May 8, 2010 | No Comments

Since reporters are using social media to get sources for their stories, businesses that want to get noticed have an obvious incentive to start adding blogs, Twitter and the rest of it to their existing communications strategy. That was the message from Lisa Johnson of the CBC and Kirk LaPointe of the Vancouver Sun at Northern Voice (as recorded by Vancouver blog fave Miss604):

“A big part of our job is to find out what’s happening,” she noted. By reaching out through online channels journalists in a newsroom aren’t just asking each other “do you know someone who…?” they can ask social networks. She said she’s found people for stories such as accountants, residents of Tsawwassen, business owners etc. just by searching Twitter or asking questions online.

Lisa added that Twitter is “a social scanner, like a police scanner.” You can find news and immediate information about an event, region, or issue. Chances are you can also find someone on the scene or taking Twitpics, immediately documenting the situation.

As usual, I would add a cautionary note: don’t just dive into social media. As with any part of your communications strategy, come up with a plan including specific goals and target audience, get a qualified professional to write the content, consider syndication and think about how you’re going to sustain the effort long-term.

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