How to use Social Media for Journalists or their Business

How to use Social Media For Journalists or Their Business
By: Nikki Smith

Many journalists want their stories to be read right?  So what do you do to get more of a following?  You enter into the world of social media.  If you already had a Facebook account, get another one; same goes for Twitter.  If you already have one, get a new one.  Completely start over.  Once you’ve started over and wiped the plate clean, then can we begin the process in letting your journalistic voice be heard.  This can be done if you are starting a twitter of Facebook page for your job, or just for personal use, can be used either way.

First, you need to create a new fresh “you” in the social media world.  

                Facebook:

                1. Get an official account for yourself.

    2. Only post stories relevant to who you want to be viewed as on-line.

                3. Post statuses about other things, other than just about what you write about.
                        If you have other stories that you read and like, post them and help promote them.
                        (This will help other companies want to reciprocate the action)    

    Twitter:

    1. Get an official account for yourself.

    2. Tweet stories or things with the correct hash tag associated with that topic.

    3. Tag the sources in tweets that you post about them.

                4. Tweet as often as possible, but be sure to keep all tweets professional.

Now that you all have brand new, freshly created social media sites, you will need to start getting friends, fans, likes or followers to maintain that online presence.  This will be easier if you already have a personal Facebook or twitter account that you kept. 

You need to get more followers.

                Facebook:

                1. Tell all your Facebook friends (on your personal account) to go like the page.

    2. Post your professional account stuff to your personal account.

                3. Have your company’s official website have links your Facebook account.

                Twitter:               

    1. Tell all of your followers on your personal account to go follow your professional one.

    2. Use your personal account to share tweets that your professional one tweeted.

    3. Have a link of your twitter page on the company’s official website. 

Now that you have read these simple steps to help better promote yourself and get your online presence established, have fun with it!