Using social media to cover business: Online, April 19-20

Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran at social networking, you can pick up pointers from this free, two-day, interactive Webinar. The first hour, on April 19, will be targeted at those new to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The second hour on April 20 will help you take your use of social media to the next level.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

Monday, April 19: Okay, if I must sign up for Twitter…

Your kids, your colleagues, the lady in the lunchroom .. they’ve finally convinced you that there may be value in using social media tools for work and play.

But what now? How do you get started? Should you create both a personal and a professional account on Facebook? On Twitter? Can you join LinkedIn if you aren’t looking for a job? How do you find people to follow? How do you get people to follow you? And what’s the etiquette if you want to unfollow your cousin who talks only about having pizza at lunch?

It may feel like you are late to the game of social media. It seems like everyone has been using it for months and, frankly, it’s a little embarrassing to admit you’ve never Tweeted.

Don’t worry about it. Robin J. Phillips, Web managing editor at BusinessJournalism.org, will walk you through the basics of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. She’ll explain how to get started and will help you understand why journalists should not fear social media.

Tuesday, April 20: Beyond Farmville… How social media can make you a better business journalist

So you have a LinkedIn page and have been on Facebook and Twitter since the election. What now? Phillips will show you ways to:

• turn social media tools into databases to help find local stories and sources,
• distribute your content and track whether people are reading your links,
• connect with your community,
• find out what real-time conversation is happening about issues on your beat,
• take part in that conversation, and
• use Twitter lists to help you track what people are saying.

This session will also cover ethics, standards of practice and practical tips on using sources that you find on the Web.

Robin J. Phillips became the Reynolds Center’s Web managing editor in August 2009, after working as online community manager for azcentral.com, the Web site of The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. She has also served as deputy business editor at The Republic and Newsday, as well as editor for BusinessWeek Online’s small business channel. Robin was an adjunct professor of new media at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York and has presented at various journalism organizations on the use of social media as a reporting tool. She holds a degree in journalism and political science from the University of Hawaii.

About the Program

Please do not register unless you are sincere about participating in this online seminar and can do so for each day of the designated week. Please receive approval from your editor prior to signing up for the seminar.

Those who successfully complete three regional workshops or online seminars presented by the Reynolds Center are eligible to receive a “Circle of Achievement” award certificate.

This free seminar is sponsored by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. If you have any questions about the Webinar or the center, please e-mail Executive Director Linda Austin or call 602-496-9187.