Austin American-Statesman / Online Journalism
Newsroom Training
Better Blogging
(Thursday noon) So you already have a blog -- how's it doing? Are you happy with the traffic and the comments, or are you looking for ways to build your audience and attract better feedback? There are a variety of recognized techniques for achieving those goals! We'll discuss how to improve your SEO (search engine optimization), how to manage and respond to comments, and how to manage links to get the maximum benefit from including them. Also: Have you considered a vlog (video blog)?
- Blogs have changed how I do my job, for the better: A column by an Albuquerque Tribune reporter
- Use of Google Analytics enhances your understanding of your blog's audience
- How to be an Authority Maven: 21 Tips for Keeping Up to Date in Your Niche
- Using RSS feeds makes you a better blogger
- Here is a good how-to you can use to get started
- I use Google Reader for all the feeds to which I subscribe
- Copyblogger offers lots of tips for how to be a better blogger (see the SEO tips)
- 10 tips for integrating your del.icio.us links into your blog
- Sign up for a free del.icio.us account
- See Mindy's del.icio.us bookmarks
- How to video blog (a 3-min. 40 sec. video by Al Tompkins of Poynter)
- What Is Vlogging (and How to Get Started)
Multimedia: Next Steps
(Thursday 3 p.m.) So, the newsroom has embraced the Web. Now what? How can people work smarter to improve what’s appearing online? Smart newsrooms around the country are figuring out how to move toward a “Web first” workflow. How are they doing it? When does multimedia make sense? What can you do with it?
Do you understand it? Are EPA coal emission standards strict enough? Las Vegas Sun
Action: Fuel truck explosion in northeast Spokane, Spokesman-Review
Emotion: Free and Uneasy: The First Year Out, New York Times
Explanation (information graphics): Virginia Tech Shootings, New York Times
Data (interface): D.C. Schools Scorecard, Washington Post
VIDEO for Newspaper Reporters
Better video shooting (9 a.m.): How to shoot in sequences; how to frame the shot; when to move the camera; how to think when you are using a video camera.
- Basic example of a sequence
- Sequencing: The foundation of video storytelling
- Proof that it's how you shoot (not the camera you use) that makes the video good
- Editing assignments (including links to Windows Movie Maker tutorials)
How to interview for audio OR video (10:30 a.m.): Techniques and tips for getting better results.
- OnBeing, Washington Post (every Wednesday, a new interview)
- How to shoot video interviews
Video stories (noon): Examples from newspapers; how to structure a story; how to think about a 2-min. story so you can go ahead and tell one.
- Mexican Wrestling (shot with a small point-and-shoot still camera; edited in Final Cut)
- Cheney High School's P.E. Competition, Spokesman-Review
- Touching Evil, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Scriptwriting (2 p.m.): Writing a script can actually save time in editing video; easy script template; strategies.
- Timing for a broadcast script (tips)
- Template for a script (MS Word doc, 33 KB)
- Abbreviations for shots
(label every shot in your script); examples
- XCU or ECU: extreme close-up, as in giant lips! Or a very tight shot of somebody's hands. You will never have enough of these! Shoot more of them!
- CU: close-up, as in very big face, or head and neck with a bit of shoulders.
- MS: medium shot, very open to interpretation. Could be a person from head to toe, or could be a person seen from the waist up.
- LS or WS: long shot or wide shot, far away from the people (tiny people)
- Example video: A Bronx School Revives, New York Times
Video stories (4 p.m.): Examples from newspapers; how to structure a story; how to think about a 2-min. story so you can go ahead and tell one. (This is a repeat of the noon session.)