Social Media: A Journalist’s (Not So) Secret Weapon
Photo by Magnus Mueller on Pexels.
In the non-stop world of news, social media has become the Swiss Army knife for journalists — an indispensable, multi-purpose tool that provides game-changing advantages. Each platform offers unique capabilities that, when wielded strategically, empower journalists to take their work to new heights.
According to Cision’s 2023 State of the Media Report, a whopping 96% of journalists now use social media for their work. And they aren’t just posting cat videos — social platforms continue to be trusted weapons in the journalistic arsenal.
Source: PRNewsfoto/Cision Ltd.
Which platforms are they using? According to the report, LinkedIn is gaining popularity this year as 20% of journalists plan to increase their usage of the platform. However, some are reconsidering Twitter, with 21% intending to decrease time there. And TikTok shows potential, with 10% expecting to use it more despite looming bans. For aspiring journalists, adeptly navigating these fluid networks is key.
Let’s explore some of social media’s most valuable capabilities:
Harness the Wisdom of the Crowd
Need a key statistic or timely quote to bolster your reporting? Post a request on Twitter or LinkedIn and watch the fast and furious response pour in from experts and eyewitnesses around the world. 66% of journalists told us they have used social media tools for sourcing information.
Social media platforms enable journalists to uncover diverse perspectives perfect for enhancing stories, especially when under a tight deadline. Utilizing specialized monitoring tools such as BuzzSumo allows journalists to accelerate discoveries across platforms and hashtags to find the information they need faster than ever.
Real-Time Fact-Checking
In today’s murky online waters, social media has become a real-time fact-checking lifeline. Savvy journalists can verify claims and debunk misinformation in an instant by digging into a source’s social history and activity.
The collective hive mind of the journalistic community mobilizes across networks to identify false narratives and caution each other about misleading posts as they spread. It is crowdsourced truth-seeking in action.
Build Connections, Land Exclusives
The relationships cultivated through consistent social media engagement can lead journalists to insider tips, potential hires, and even exclusive scoops. Multi-platform networking expands access to prominent sources and niche experts relevant to a journalist’s beat.
Social media opens up doors across oceans and beyond borders like never before allowing journalists to build connections that wouldn’t be possible without the platforms.
Promote and Monitor Your Work
Social media delivers unrivaled reach for distributing your best work and gathering instant audience feedback.
Share articles across your social channels and leverage relevant hashtags to extend your reach to those most interested in the topic. Keep a close eye on metrics like clicks, engagement, and sentiment in comments to gain valuable real-time insight into how your reporting is resonating.
This data derived from built-in and third-party analytics tools can inform content improvements, story angles, and emerging opportunities. The promotion and monitoring capabilities make social media indispensable for efficiently distributing content, tracking performance, and ultimately creating better journalism.
Interactive Storytelling and Engagement
Bring your stories to life and generate more audience involvement by using social media for interactive storytelling.
Some ideas for engaging interactive elements include:
- Twitter polls to survey readers on their opinions about story topics
- Instagram takeovers featuring guest posters like experts or people featured in your stories
- Reddit AMAs where readers can directly ask questions to key figures involved in breaking news
- Live-tweeting press conferences, political events, sports games, etc. to provide real-time coverage
- Facebook and Instagram Live for interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and Q&As
- TikTok for short videos using trending audio, effects, and hashtags
- Instagram Reels for “making of” footage and bite-sized news explainers
- User-generated content campaigns in which audiences submit visuals
Getting creative with interactive social storytelling forms deeper connections with your readers and community. It provides a two-way conversation that helps tailor coverage to what resonates. Mastering these engaging multimedia skills is especially valuable for up-and-coming journalists in the digital age.
While social media presents some challenges, its multifaceted capabilities make adoption essential for today’s journalists. Each platform in this versatile toolkit offers unique functionalities – from harnessing collective wisdom to real-time verification and interactive engagement. Used strategically, social media empowers journalists at all levels to reach new heights in distributing stories, connecting with audiences, and ultimately furthering their mission of impactful reporting.
The future looks bright for those who take the time to skillfully master these ever-evolving, game-changing tools of the trade.
Subscribe to Beyond Bylines to get media trends, journalist interviews, blogger profiles, and more sent right to your inbox.
Sarah McGrew
Sarah is a Training Consultant for PR professionals specializing in media monitoring and social media monitoring software. She's passionate about developing effective strategies for teams in a variety of different markets and developing efficient workflows for comms teams. When she's not circling the globe on her next adventure, you can find her on the kickball field, down on the beach, or exploring with her two pups.
