“So what we’re seeing is that tweets that contain media get 3-4 times the amount of engagement of a regular tweet…So if you have visual information feel free to share it because that’s the kind of information people are looking for.” — Mark Luckie, Twitter Director of News and Information (& author of “The Digital Journalist“)
Note: On November 28th, 2012 The Digital Canopy stepped into Twitter’s NYC office to sit down with Mark as part of our five-week digital media training for visiting Mideast journalists at the United Nations.
Top five tweeting tips (that we snagged from Mark Luckie):
1. Twitter can break news minutes and hours before the big agencies get the scoop. Spikes from on-the-ground tweets alert journalists to news as it happens. How can you effectively find these tweets? You’re ready for tip #2.
2. Use data mining to pinpoint action, enrich stories, research good sources and build new contacts. Third party products like Topsy.com allows journalists to search tweets by place, region, people — get the scoop thru accurate trending.
3. No Internet, no worries. Don’t let a hurricane or other network blackout get in the way. Text in your tweet to 40404. Learn how. You will need to verify your account before beginning to phone in tweets.
4. Safety in the Twitter Universe — it really does take a village. Following and being followed is critical in knowing where to report, how to report and alert others about any concerns. It is absolutely critical that you build followers NOW, so that later, if you ever find yourself in a dangerous reporting situation or a natural disaster, your digital @$$ is covered.
5. Sensitive reporting? Create a private twitter account. Build a following of close contacts and sources while keeping info confidential.
Mark Luckie has a few more tips up his sleeve, so follow him @marksluckie
Digital Canopy Media 