Mobile-First Perspective: How Two Journalists Are Going Social
Newsrooms today are taking steps in order to become "mobile-first." This means journalists are now producing and distributing content meant for digital platforms. This includes creating a layout that is mobile-friendly, using visuals, and more.
Katie Kramer, social media editor for NYUp.com, and Christine Loman, social media editor for syracuse.com, have both made the transition into digital-first journalism the last few years.
Kramer said she started in broadcast and then moved to media, where she first worked for syracuse.com. Two years ago, she moved from syracuse.com and joined the social media team at NYUp.com, which aims to connect all upstate regions in New York. She said the point of the online publication is to tap into those different communities and report on what's happening there, because upstate NY doesn't get a lot of media attention.
Loman was hired by Kramer and she has been part of the social media team at syracuse.com for three years. Her job as social media editor consists of posting to accounts and figuring out how to engage with the audience give reporters ideas of what to report on. Since being a part of syracuse.com, she said the mindset of the newsroom has changed.
"We don’t really think about the newspaper so much," Loman said. "We rarely think about how this is going to look in a newspaper."
Loman believes the news is happening now, and newsrooms need to adapt to the mindset of getting content up as quickly and as accurately as they can. So with that being said, here are some tips Krames and Loman have for those thinking of or currently going through the traditional to digital journalism shift:
1. Being right is number one. It's important to be clear, concise, but fast.
2. In regards to a journalist's presence on social media
"No one wants to go viral for the wrong reasons."
3. Photo is really important, you only have a little space for someone to click on the post.
4. For upcoming journalists: Think before you post.
"I don’t post anything political...I would never want to be in a position where I was going to limit myself based on tweets I post."
5. Follow social media news accounts.
"If you’re interested in a career in social, I think that is a place where you can dig in and talk about more what you think because it shows you have expertise in the field."
