Making Sure I'm Not A Dinosaur Journalist
I've spent the the past week on the road. First was an industry conference in Boston, then I wrapped up at the 3rd annual BlogOrlando unconference. Social media guru Josh Hallett puts on this free conference every September. It is a must-attend event for those who either want to get more involved in social media or those who are already immersed and want to sharpen their skills.You also get to meet people in other industries - movies, gaming, hospitality, etc. - and see what they're doing and how you can apply it to your own work.
I got to lead a seminar to show "old school" journalists how they can use social media tools to enhance and promote their work. I went over all the stuff I'm doing, including blogging, podcasting, video, LinkedIn, Facebook, Flickr and my newest toy, Twitter. I decided to use Twitter at my earlier conference to microblog about what was going on. I liked how it worked out, so I'll continue to use it.
But I digress. The main message for my group was that we have to do all this to keep our jobs. I used to need a pen and notebook, and I was on my merry way. Not anymore. The print industry has changed drastically, and it's adapt or find a new career.
I was at a session led by Paula Berg, Southwest Airlines' manager of emerging media, on how it is using social media, and as I went to the Nuts About Southwest blog, one of my Flickr photos of their jet was featured on the front page. Cool!
Again, I digressed. I hear so many of my colleagues complain about having to do more with less. I've heard them say they are too old to learn this stuff. I am old enough to have used an electric typewriter in my first job, and this old dog is learning these new tricks.
I've found I really enjoy doing all this stuff. But I also keep it real - I have a baby to feed. I also know that things will get tougher before they get better in my job and in my industry. So I'm making it as hard as I can for my employer to put me on a potential buyout/layoff list.
I carry a Victorinox Multimedia backpack that holds my laptop, my Fujufilm S800 digital camera (I want Josh's Nikon D90 when I grow up), my Olympus digital recorder, my new Flip video camera, my portable tripod, my iPod, more AA and AAA batteries than 1 person should carry, along with notebooks and pens, just in case.
I do podcasts and use my own photos (all on Flickr) to support my blog and online web stories. I shot 3 videos (bad, but I'm learning) to highlight some vendor profiles I'm doing.
Much of this self-taught, but it's also going to things like BlogOrlando (and they have these in cities worldwide), Podcamp and Barcamp. There are also resources like the Knight Digital Media Center, the Poynter Institute and the Online News Association. Most are free or low cost, so there's no excuse.
I feel like it's my responsibility to pass along the gospel to my fellow reporters (yes, that means you, K.A.) to get these skills - quickly. My goal is to be like my friend and colleague Sean M., the community manager for our Defense channel. He has married the old school and nu skool tools and skills in a job I'd like to have myself one day, hopefully in my current company.
I've also become an admirer of NABJ Digital Task Force member and BlogOrlando attendee. Michelle Ferrier. Michelle is the managing editor of MyTopiaCafe.com, sponsored by the Daytona Beach News-Journal. She's a sista that's carved out a nice niche - hyperlocal community building, which many see as the future path for newspapers.
And if I ever decide to go back into PR, (not likely, but never say never), I want Paula Berg's job - doing emerging media for a company like Southwest that gets it from the top down and fully embraces it. I can't wait to get back to work and start putting all this stuff to practical use. Keep an eye out, and let me know how I'm doing!
And remember - there will be no weight update again until October 9.
posted by Benet @ 1:07 PM
1 Comments:
if you ever take on my job description, say in the commercial channel, i'm going to be massively shown up! nowhere near the knowledge and drive of Ms Benet.
so, i think you should set your sights a little higher than my lowly estate ;-)
(but thanks :-)
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