using twitter for research

@stevebuttrystephenbuttry@gmail.com

Newspapers Canada Nov. 15, 2011

for researchUsing

Resources to help journo tweeps• “Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of

Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• “Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog

• These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry

• Zombiejournalism.com

What’s your social media strategy?

Twitter techniquesNews coverage:• Advanced search• Hashtags• Vetting & verifying• Live-tweeting• Crowdsourcing• Curating

Engagement: • Building a following• Being conversational

Lurking isn’t enough• Crowdsourcing is more effective with

more followers & strong engagement• You can direct-message people who

follow you• Using Twitter to engage builds comfort &

skill that help w/ research

Before the big story breaks• Follow lots of local people

(NearbyTweets, replies, retweets, check followers)

• Join local conversation• Master Twitter search (advanced)• Promote local #hashtag taxonomy

(#okstorm)• Use Twitter routinely on your beat

Bookmark this tool

Advanced Twitter Searchhttps://twitter.com/#!/search-advanced

Breaking news research• Twitter Search (advanced)• Connect w/ witnesses• Crowdsource• Seek verification• Address rumors (say what you don’t know)• Seek photos

Why use hashtags?• Find other sources• Expand your audience• Organize content (for feeds & contacting)

Hashtag tips• Search for hashtag(s) already in use • If a hashtag is already in use, adopt it• If not, choose one that’s simple & unique

(do quick search first)• Geographic abbreviation helps• Geographic better than branded

Vetting & verifying• Track back RTs, etc.

to source • Look for clusters • Location enabled? • Evaluate the network• Evaluate the history

• Links, photos? • Take it old school• Disclose, hedge,

repeat • Be brave only in

correction

Tips from Craig Silverman, Regret the Error

Evaluating tweeps• How long have they been tweeting?• Check previous tweets, interaction• Check bio, links• Check Klout score• Google name and scam, spammer• Contact & interview

Tips from Mandy Jenkins, Zombie Journalism

Say what you don’t know

Why crowdsource?• It saves time• Connecting with sources has always been

one of a journalist’s most important jobs• You bring more voices to your news

reports• You engage the community

Set the stage• Build engaged community (follow

people, converse with them)• Use multiple platforms (Twitter,

Facebook, website, blog, newspaper, IRL)• Do the groundwork (don’t expect the

public to do your job; invite them to tell their stories)

Crowdsourcing tips• Say what you know• Say what you want to know• Say what you don’t know• Say what you need to know• Don’t spread rumors• Vet sources & information

Throughout the process• Seek story ideas & tips• Ask questions as you gather info• Share data with community• Ask public to continue the conversation• Sometimes crowd will be quiet; don’t get

discouraged

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

NPR’s Andy Carvin

“I think curation has always been a part of journalism; we just didn't call it that.” – quoted in The Atlantic by Phoebe Connelly

What is curation?Museum curator:• Studies topic• Chooses relevant

content (other sources & museum collection)

• Authenticates• Groups related items• Provides context• Presents exhibit

Journalism curator:• Studies topic• Chooses relevant

content (social media, blogs, staff)

• Authenticates• Groups related items• Provides context• Presents collected

content

People to follow

• Look for sources (find people)• Ask sources• Journalists in other communities• When someone follows you, check out to

see whether you should follow back• When you follow someone, check whom

they follow• Tweeps mentioned in interesting tweets

Resources to help journo tweeps• “Twitter tips for journalists” & a listing of

Twitter resources for journos on my blog: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

• “Breaking news” and “Twitter” categories on my blog

• These slides (and other Twitter slideshows) at slideshare.net/stevebuttry

• Zombiejournalism.com