June 2014
Private social media, one of the digital trends journalists should follow this year, has emerged as a new way of connecting with the audience and an opportunity to pull in more readers, viewers and listeners.
We’ve put together a list of five ways journalists have been using private social networks recently to show what can be done.
Social media has changed the way news organisations deliver their stories to the reader, but with networks like Twitter and Facebook an article must compete with the growing buzz of digital conversation.
As a result, the Oxford Mail has set up a new service through WhatsApp, the private messaging smartphone application, to deliver the most important news straight to the reader’s pocket.
“It’s much more direct in turning around saying ‘come and read our story’,” Jason Collie, assistant editor of the Mail told Journalism.co.uk.
“Instead of hoping that yours is the one out of six or seven potential competitors that will be picked up by the readers.”
The WhatsApp service has been running for three weeks, since 2 June, and has amassed over 200 followers since.
We are now pleased to announce the agenda for the next news:rewired digital journalism conference, to take place in London on Wednesday 23 July.
The event, organised by Journalism.co.uk, aims to showcase the latest developments in the field and offer journalists a range of practical sessions and workshops.
For the first time, there will also be a range of optional sessions over an extended lunch period, where delegates can get some focussed guidance on a number of topics, or use the extra time to network and enjoy their lunch.
We can now provide details on the choice of sessions available on the day. You can also see the plan for the full agenda here.
We’re pleased to announce Parse.ly, the web analytics experts, as the latest sponsor of the next news:rewired digital journalism conference.
The conference will take place on Wednesday 23 July at MSN UK’s headquarters in London, where leading online journalists will share their work and advice in making the most of online tools and opportunities.
Parse.ly’s Clare Carr will lead a post-lunch workshop demonstrating how audience insights can be useful to offer more relevant and engaging content as part of a wider editorial strategy, with the aim of improving metrics such as unique visitors, time-on-site and return visits.
Other news:rewired sessions announced so far include a discussion on the use of private social network in journalisms, a workshop on finding documents, data and social media content to support stories, spreadsheet skills for journalists and key social media tools.
Shorthand are the latest sponsor of news:rewired
We are pleased to announce David Ho, editor for mobile, tablets and emerging technology at The Wall Street Journal, as the keynote speaker for our news:rewired conference on Wednesday 23 July.
Ho will focus on “how news outlets and reporters can embrace the mobile revolution”, as well as considering “what comes beyond mobile and how emerging technologies will affect news and storytelling”.
In an additional workshop, later in the day at news:rewired, Ho will also highlight useful tools and apps for journalists interested in expanding their mobile toolbox.
The digital journalism conference will be held at MSN UK’s offices in Victoria, London, and will offer a range of sessions, including workshops and topical discussions, for those interested in the latest developments in digital journalism.
For more detail see the agenda information online, and book tickets here for just £130 +VAT, which includes lunch, refreshments and after-event networking drinks.
You can also book a news:rewired+ ticket to attend both the conference on 23 July, and a one-day training course the following day (Thursday 24 July).
