Do you think you're finished when you file your story for print? Your readers don’t. We offer some suggestions on prioritizing your busy days and tips on how to dip your toe into the churning waters of the never-ending news cycle. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
4. Anatomy of a multi-platform story Planning -- for ALL facets of story Equipment – laptop, Flip video camera, recorder Flexibility – computer crashed Collaborate – handed off some pieces Practice – started playing around in January Commitment– easy to say not enough time 4
5. What works best at S-T.com Local, local, local Breaking news, especially cops On-the-scene raw video, photos Columns, analysis, opinion Investigative, presented properly (not just long text) Texas and local politics Sports breaking news and analysis 5
6. Most popular stories (April) Charean Williams’ Mock Draft Charean Williams’ Mock Draft Driver complaints lead to tollway action Watauga man dies in motorcycle crash Teen with heart condition dies in fight 6
7. Most popular stories (April) If Texas won’t act on payday loans … Fracking signs cause stir in Southlake Heavy rain drenches North Texas Death Row inmate denied clemency Fort Worth HS student dead after fight 7
8. Most popular blogs (2011) SB ticketholders furious over lost seats (SB blog) Sky Talk blog Robots, guns, horses highlight SB security demo Crime Time blog Super Bowl blog 8
9. Most popular blogs (2011) Foul Territory (Rangers) blog Cowboys blog Barnett Shale blog Texas’ search for new DB coach (Colleges) Man kept wife in basement for 16 years (Crime) 9
10. Most popular galleries (2011) Arl officer Jillian Smith funeral Fiery tanker crash on I-30 Winter storm hits North Texas CowtownMarathon TCU band at Rose Bowl parade 10
11. Most-watched videos (2010) Texas Stadium implosion Josh Hamilton celebration FW assault suspect caught on tape Amon Carter Stadium implosion FW armed robbery caught on tape 11
12. Most-watched videos (2010) Video in FW excessive force case Blackhawk lands on Commerce St. Suicidal man stops traffic Galloway & Hate: Cuban’s Alamo? The Last Tailgate Party: Tx Stadium 12
13. The 24/7 news cycle Around 5 a.m. 7 days a week (print) 7 a.m. through noon weekdays (website) 8 p.m. through midnight, 7 days a week (mobile) Saturdays and Sundays (tablets) 13
14. The 24/7 news cycle Speed and freshness often best “platforms” Update when you get key info Exs: Weather, traffic, breaking crime Be ready to update print story as needed Sign up for alerts, watch wires, watch Twitter 14
22. Learning new skills What will you use it for? How well does it fit with your other skills? Above all, is it a skill that’s going to be relevant for a long time? 16
23. Learning new skills Reporters: Good audio and social media Editors: Which storytelling platforms to use Photographers: Audio slide shows, video Copy editors: Compelling, searchable headlines Graphic artists: Flash, APIs (Google) Page designers: Mobile platforms, HTML 5 17
24. Time-saving tips Use automation when possible Start with easiest tech One new thing at a time Collaborate! Use RSS, Twitter, Google alerts wisely Don’t worry about perfect! 18