How To Find Newsroom “2.0″ Staffers
Posted by derushaj on April 11, 2008
Ask them: You probably can identify the staffers you have who would write an interesting blog, or prepare an interesting videoblog. So invite them to do it.
- Anchors Don’t Necessarily Make Good Bloggers: Just because the person is the TV face of your station, doesn’t mean they should be the online face of your station.
- Look For People With A Voice: You need someone with a sense of humor, or a skill at biting analysis.
- Specialists Are Ideal: Political reporters, sports reporters, weather people, or staffers with developed hobbies (the skiier, the singer, the gardner). Look for a niche and fill it.
- Less Is More: Resist the temptation to mandate that everyone carve out a web presence. One great blog/videoblog is better than 7 crappy ones.
- Take Advantage of Ego: I started blogging here because I saw a morning weather guy with an “I’m gonna be a daddy” blog, and thought I could do a better job. I asked if I could have a blog, and there it was. I started a videoblog when I thought of things to do in the field covering stories that would be funny or interesting. I asked, and I was given the leash. If you have a staff member who’s asking to do more, generally, it’s a good idea to let them do more.
Bob from ALAMN said
Don’t forget us Public Relations “2.0″ types — we are also important sources for news tips, interview subjects, etc., and many of us are using New Media as well.
Bob Moffitt
Communications Director
American Lung Association of Minnesota