Start feeding your news feeds

You're on Twitter. You check Facebook several times a day.

You make sure everyone in the newsroom Tweets their best work and follows and friends their sources.

Just when you thought you had the whole Social Media thing down as a way to help promote your newsroom's Web site, along comes the idea that there will be no more Web sites.

What? Yep. The next great media company won't have a Web site.

That's according to Steve Rubel, SVP, 'Director of Insights for Edelman Digital, and the guy responsible for keeping Edelman and its clients in the vanguard. He studies global technology, media and online trends and shapes them into actionable insights and marketing communications strategies.'

Or in other words, a guy keeping tabs on what direction we are headed.

OK. Aggregation is the new Web site. Start feeding your feeds.

Finding stories in the drive-thru line at McDonald's

Social Media strategy consultant Jay Baer tells the story of an employee who exceeds expectations in today's post: Social Media Excellence and a Side of Fries

He tells the story of Mary Moss, who works at a McDonald's restaurant in Chandler, Arizona. At her drive-thru window, Mary stands out as someone who makes sincere connections. She remembers her customers and cares about their lives. As she tells it:

“I think a lot of people just expect quick service, and it surprises them when they get a certain amount of personal attention. Sometimes all it takes is a smile and a quick compliment to turn their day around.”

Mary's unique style with the headset has attracted a following.

One fan started an official Facebook page: I love Mary @ McDonalds

And she caught the attention of her local paper, The Arizona Republic:
McDonald's drive-thru worker gains online fan base

McDonald's is not local. But the way Mary Moss brings heart to her McDonald's job is certainly a good local business story.

A big lesson here is that you can find stories anywhere. Reading blogs, checking Facebook or while stopping by for a burger and fries.

We're on Facebook!

The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism is now on Facebook!
To celebrate, we’re holding a competition. The Reynolds Center is always looking for new ways to help journalists, so starting Aug. 17, the first 100 people to do the following will be eligible for a prize:

1. Become a fan of the Reynolds Center page on Facebook AND then

2. On our wall:

- Post a suggestion for a tool or resource that would help you cover business
OR
- Link to a tool or resource that you’ve found helpful in reporting on business

The first 100 new fans to post to the Reynolds Center wall will be entered into a drawing for a satchel filled with books that no business journalist’s library should be without. We’ll contact the winner through Facebook for his/her mailing information and announce the lucky winner on Facebook and Twitter.
So check out our page here, become a fan and start gaining the resources to become a better business journalist.

10 ways J-Schools teach social media

Mashable writer, Vadim Lavruski outlines 10 ways that journalism programs across the country are preparing students to use social media as a tool in their writing and reporting.

Released today, the post outlines processes that schools such as Columbia University School of Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and New York University to gage the curicculum adjustments.

Lavruski finds that professors are encouraging students to use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to build a source list, do background research and promote content.

View the article here.

Are you utilizing social media to work the biz beat? Tell us about your experiences in our comments section.