Sometimes I want to slap my forehead when I hear an idea so simple that I should have thought of it myself ages ago. Then I sigh and steal the idea.
At a meeting this week with Denver Post colleagues, they noted that their tweets promoting staff-written content include the staff member’s username:
https://twitter.com/#!/denverpost/status/124301806892351488
It’s a simple idea that makes great sense, and I shared it this morning with Journal Register Co. editors. Our newsroom Twitter feeds regularly share links to our staff-produced stories and videos, such as this one this morning from @TheOaklandPress:
https://twitter.com/#!/TheOaklandPress/status/124453852203323392
The Oakland Press has more than 6,000 followers on Twitter. The reporter who did that story, Diana Dillaber Murray, has 671 followers. Just including her username in the tweet would tell a much larger audience that this is someone they should follow if they’re interested in local education.
It’s a simple way to help staff members build engagement on Twitter. I should have included this in my tips for engagement through newsroom Twitter accounts. I’ll be adding it.
Update: Just thought of this point to add: You should similarly tag staff members who are using Facebook professionally when you promote their content on Facebook.
[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting their content. (I added this Oct. 13.) […]
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Steve,
In our newsroom we have a handful – six, eight? – journalists who are assiduous about tweeting: to report and to link to their stories when they’re posted. We use our main account to retweet their posts, a simple way of accomplishing the same thing.
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[…] ages ago. Then I sigh and steal the idea. At a meeting this week with Denver Post colle…Show original Share this:Like this:LikeBe the first to like this […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting their content. […]
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I love this suggestion, both as a former newspaper reporter and as a reader. I love to follow reporters whose work I really respect, so it’s great when the paper makes it easier for me to do so.
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] consider including the reporter’s handle if the account is updated regularly. Also, including the handle in their byline on web stories will help stimulate conversation and discussion and is more public […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] Include staff members’ usernames in tweets promoting your content […]
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[…] consider including the reporter’s handle if the account is updated regularly. Also, including the handle in their byline on web stories will help stimulate conversation and discussion and is more public […]
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