«Social media is such a gift to journalists»comments Linda Bernstein with a big smile from her house in New York City. Professor, writer, speaker and digital trainer, last 21stof January Bernstein has virtually ‘visited’ the editorial staff of Zeta with a lesson all dedicated to the use of social media in the field of journalism: «how we mix out use of social media with being professional journals and presenting ourselves in general».
«Journalists no longer have to run from some place to another to report a news. Thanks to social media we have a lot of tools that we can use to do this job». But every instrument has to be mastered and here’s why Professor Bernstein has provided the social media basics for journalist, especially concentrating on two main socials: Twitter and LinkedIn.
TWITTER: a microblogging to be heard
Twitter is one of the main social media that a journalist must use to be heard. It is a great listening tool. It allows to connect with celebrities, politicians, newsmakers and it is a great way to convey a message. Of course, every social has a specific way of communication: Facebook has a more informal type of conversation, like with family and friends, Instagram is a good picture and lot of hashtags: what about Twitter? This social is a microblogging. The so called ‘tweets’ are more institutional and with a maximum of 280 characters.
To be effective on Twitter use correct hashtags, no more than three, and tag people correctly. No to long and eternal lines: words are powerful also if they are few.
A little piece of advice: «no @ at the beginning of the post. It will only be seen by that person and account that follow both you and that person».
Moreover, the not written bon ton to be effective on Twitter is always reply to people who comment under your post or to tweets you are interested in. Be present and retweet a lot, but with comments.
LINKEDIN: a showcase of your skills
LinkedIn is the city of opportunities. «This social is not just for job seeker: it is a go for career management». Like with Twitter, the type of communication on LinkedIn is more institutional: you show what you do. It can be your last article, or your most recent event: «it is a showcase of your skills».
To be effective on LinkedIn, make sure to fill all the section about education and experience and connect with all the people you know or the one you would like to know.
Making your account more attractive
A good picture with high resolution and plain background and a perfect bio with a reason to follow you are the main advices to correct your social media account… that’s easier said than done. But Professor Bernstein, with just a quick look and two or three corrections can change your account in a go for business: she really is the godmother fairy of social media.
Leggi anche: “We don’t talk about Bruno”: Encanto (Disney) first thanks to TikTok
