Scan the Trending Topics for Story Ideas
If you're stumped for a news story idea, check out the trending topics section on a social media site. This gives you an idea about which content is grabbing attention and has people talking. Now that social media platforms have expanded beyond young users and techies, you have a broad demographic base as a research tool.
Trending topics aren't just for journalists who can produce instant stories. Even if you work for a monthly magazine, you can spot a trend and have time to investigate beyond the day's headline into what the story really means for your readers.
Journalists who work for local publications or broadcast outlets can also use trending topics as a way to take a national or international story and bring it home to your audience by adding local perspective or reaction. If you see that pop singer Katy Perry is a top topic, you could come up with a local story on whether her clothes and behavior provide a good role model for the girls in your town.
Dig for Sources or Interview Subjects
Using social media sure beats pulling out the phone book to find people for your story. You have millions of people, from experts to everyday folks, ready to become news sources if you ask.
If you're doing a story on World War II veterans, post a call for help. You may be amazed at the response you get from veterans and their families. Of course, you would have to verify that "JoeBob1942" is indeed the vet that he claims to be, but you would have to do that even if you made phone calls.
This can be especially useful in breaking news situations. If a tornado touches down, you can quickly get the scope of the disaster before you arrive on the scene by asking questions about damage.
But make sure you don't spread misinformation through your social media sources. As was learned in the case of the Virginia Tech shooting massacre, misinformed or panicked users can create a false sense of what is going on. Remember, they aren't journalists, you are.
Get Quotes from Social Media Users
Once you have confirmed that a social media news source is legitimate, get quotes, photos or video clips from that person for your story. The interview that would normally have been conducted in person or over the telephone is much more efficient online.
That efficiency can put more people into your stories. If you're working in the city and are doing a story on the problems facing corn growers outside the city limits, you could quickly get quotes from several farmers without taking the time to drive from farm to farm or to make several long telephone calls. A story with one farmer can be expanded to include several.
Take an Informal Poll of Your Users
Before you type the first word of your story, poll your users to see what they're thinking. You might be ready to write a story on how higher gas prices are keeping people at home. But a poll might show you that everyone's still driving as much as ever, contrary to your story peg.
These polls are unscientific. Beware of asking questions that bring out opinions that may not be representative of your audience.
A question like, "Do you think President Obama is doing a good job?" might have the same two or three people posting 50 comments each, which could misguide your story on the pulse of the people. A better question would be, "What priorities should President Obama set for Congress?" so that your users think first, then type more accurate answers.
Promote Your News Stories
After you finish writing your story, remember that social media sites are an excellent way to publicize them. You can also generate additional content through readers' responses.
If you have used a social media site as part of your story, an informal post that says thanks for everyone's help can bring you a more loyal following. A personal thank you, like "I just finished my piece on 'How to Get Children to Eat Vegetables'. Thanks to Molly0467 and LadyD955 for their great advice and photos" would let your users know that you think they are more than just an audience, that you rely on them for interaction.
But it doesn't stop there. If other users post comments on how your article got their children to eat vegetables, their stories could make for a great follow-up piece. Even by simply posting their raw comments, you are strengthening your news brand by involving your users.
If your news gathering is still stuck in the days of telephone booths and typewriters, social networking is an easy tool to generate stories faster. These days, that's what many editors and news directors demand.
