Live Blogging: Press Release 2.0 – News Releases in the Social Media Era

Matt Herzberger’s (@mherzber) Session @ #stamats08

*Watch the Presentation Video*

Goals & Research

• migrate old posts, move to WordPress, ability to add multimedia, social media linkage, easy for writers

Research

• evaluate what’s out there (both .edu & .com) – <3’s NYTimes.com
• talk to writers – what are their needs
• themes/designs/templates (SocialMediaRelease.org) – SMPR template

Goal: Make news sexy!!

RSS = plumbing (if only you could see the photo to go with this slide – classic!): You may not know it, but you’re consuming RSS

Problems

• writers: put it in play to see what works
• comments: convince to enable, monitor
• consistency
• add multimedia: writers tend not to care

Measurement

• tools
  • Pay: Vocus, CustomScoop, Trackur
  • Free: Google Alerts, Technorati, Blog Pulse, Compete, del.icio.us

Future: What’s next

• Do reporters in your area want RSS feeds instead of e-mails, faxes, paper press releases?

Examples:

• Check out Texas A&M Engineering News site
• MizzouWire
• University of Illinois, Springfield
• BU Today
• Stanley Cup Winner JS Giguere Tackles…
• WebEx launches the Green Guide to your Office
• Doritos

How to practically start w/ limited resources:

• use WordPress – known for 5 min install
• redeploy writers – they’re already writing, just change where they’re putting it
• they’re already taking photos – use them here
• find creative ways to add sound & video – try SlideShowPro. Beauty of YouTube – they don’t have to be polished. Flip & Kodak video cameras.

Social Media News Release
[youtube cD_mYKc20OY]

MNR on MNR
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