Comments on: Why every journalist should be using Twitter

By: bloggingmom67

bloggingmom67 — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:13:21 +0000

Couldn’t agree more with your post, and I love the pub analogy (whoever thought of it

I’d take the analogy farther, though. Twitter isn’t just doing a “pub story” where you ask people what they think and report it.

It’s a way to establish a relationship with readers that can pay off in the future. As a journalist, I chit-chat with people on twitter, get to know them a bit, respond to their @replies or DMs … then I have a relationship of sorts with them. So if I ask them to guest post on my blog, they are more likely to say yes or they are more likely to check out my tweets of my blog posts because they know me, kind of.

I think Twitter is much of the old-fashioned “schmoozing” that the best reporter knew how to do. Ask the court clerk about her weekend, how her kids are, etc. Over time, she’ll get to like you a bit. Then you might be the one she’ll tip off when the mayor gets indicted.

By: Local news for local people « Jazamatazz

Local news for local people « Jazamatazz — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:21:06 +0000

[...] journalists to contact people live-twittering events for quotes, information and images. Gary’s post on The Chicago Tribune’s usage is a great example, as have been the recent [...]

By: Local news for local people : ShinyRed

Local news for local people : ShinyRed — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:14:39 +0000

[...] to contact people live-twittering events for quotes, information and images. Gary’s post on The Chicago Tribune’s usage is a great example, as have been the recent [...]

By: Gary Andrews

Gary Andrews — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:13:56 +0000

Jaz, I’m surprised I can remember much about that night! Good to meet you too

Jo, Twing’s great isn’t it. And surprisingly accurate with what it returns as well! Hope things are ok up in Brum-land – I’ve been reading the unfolding news today, can’t be fun being up there at the moment – my office went through something similar last month. Not enjoyable at all.

By: joannageary

joannageary — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:01:51 +0000

Hi Gary,

No problem with using the pub analogy – I have benefitted from you reccommending Twing to me!

But thanks for the mention – appreciated.

By: jazcummins

jazcummins — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:41:16 +0000

Lots I agree with here – especially the bit about being vague about what I said

Twitter’s definitely a great tool for PRs and journalists – The Chicago example is great, and day-to day as a PR I find it invaluable now.

Good to meet you the other night Gary

By: Gary Andrews

Gary Andrews — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:29:52 +0000

Not sure, to be honest. It’s fine if you’ve got a Twitter client for your phone, but not everybody has that capability. It’s the kind of thing you feel should exist, if it doesn’t already.

By: Tim Rueb

Tim Rueb — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:44:41 +0000

Is there a twitter to SMS service out there?