These are my slides for a class on writing for social media

1. Writing for Social Media
@stevebuttry
Media Writing
October 20, 2016

2. Today’s quiz
Which these does not follow correct AP style:
A. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first
female president.
B. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first
woman president.
C. If she wins, she would be the first woman
elected president.
Email your answer to brouzan94@gmail.com.
with “MC2010 quiz” as the subject line.

3. Today’s presentations
• John Frugé, Victoria Cleveland, Mary
Robinson
• Tuesday: Shaina Grace, Khoury Ieyoub,
Mary Lebourgeois

4. Final features
• Lots of good ideas
• Lots of questions (from me and in your
emails)
• Let’s talk; email me good time
• After class or Friday morning this week
• Monday & Tuesday morning next week
• Next Thursday

5. 4th assignment
A story based mostly on an interview. Can’t
be a one-source story, but 2nd interview is
not required. Other source(s) can be
interview(s), online sources, records, etc.
Story is due Thursday, Oct. 27

6. Tweet during class
• At least 3 tweets #manship2010
• Use your account & post if you want
• Write in email to me & don’t post if you
prefer
• No more than 140 characters
• You decide content: quote, commentary,
question, photo, observation, etc.

8. Whatever your platform …
• Get to the point quickly
• Keep it brief (even if not limited)
• Consider images & make writing fit w/
photo or video
• Consider tone (what will make people
want to RT, share, engage?)
• Rewrite

9. Opinions in social media
• Opinions aren’t inherently bad
journalism (editorials, columns, cartoons,
commentary, etc.)
• Opinions can be troublesome for some
journalists in some positions or orgs
• Know whether opinions are appropriate
for your media role

10. Today’s quiz
Which these does not follow correct AP style:
A. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first
female president.
B. If Clinton wins, she would be the nation’s first
woman president.
C. If she wins, she would be the first woman
elected president.
Email your answer to brouzan94@gmail.com.
with “MC2010 quiz” as the subject line.

38. therealverge
on Snapchat

39. Tanya Sichynsky,
USA Today

42. Social media = journo tool
• Monitored competition
• Found neighbor who tweeted at TV
station
• Checked neighbor’s Facebook page
• Found post w/ neighbor’s email
• Reporter tracked down neighbor, got
story & more photos

46. Social media as a source
• How do you know a source is genuine?
• How does the source know?
• Check photos, location, timeline for
context, clues
• Ask to call you or connect in person
• Grab screenshots

47. • Posting too often
annoys friends, fans
• No 140 limit but
short is best
• Good questions start
conversations
• Engage, don’t
intrude
• Make a point in 140
• Story can unfold in
multiple tweets
• Hashtags help more
w/ search,
conversation
• Engagement not as
intrusive

59. Breaking news on Twitter
• Tell unfolding story
• Capture the moment
• Tweet verified facts
• Say what you don’t know
• Crowdsource
• Use hashtag

65. #Hashtag tips
• Use existing hashtag if there is one
• Search before launching hashtag (avoid
duplication)
• Look for secondary hashtagsHashtags
help find sources
• Use regular hashtags: #GeauxTigers
#TakeTheCrown

76. Crowdsource

77. Crowdsource

82. Writing benefits of Twitter
• Paste lead into tweet box. If it’s >140,
challenge whether it’s too long
• 140 characters gives great practice at
getting to the point

83. Even in longer writing …
Whether you’re writing a long
story for a newspaper or magazine,
or a political speech or a book,
whatever you write, consider
boiling the essence down to a
single tweet.

84. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
@FDR
We have nothing to fear but fear
itself. #NewDeal

85. Anne Frank
@AnnesDiary
Despite everything, I believe that
people are really good at heart.
#DiaryofaYoungGirl

86. President John F. Kennedy
@JFK
Ask not what your country can do
for you – ask what you can do for
your country. #NewFrontier

87. Rachel Carson
@RachelCarson
In nature nothing exists alone.
#SilentSpring

88. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
@MLKing
I have a dream today! #Freeatlast

89. Ronald Reagan
@TheGipper
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this
wall! #Freedom

91. Let’s see (and hear)
your tweets