smartocto’s Post

An unfortunate consequence of so much content online is the downfall of modern journalism. So many of the once-prominent institutions are now gutting their staff due to a lack of revenue. But what prompted this trend? Fewer people than ever trust the media. A study conducted by a new Gallup poll found that only 7% of adults have full trust in the media while 38% say they have no trust at all. What does that mean for content production? It means that, if you want to build an audience, you need to become a source of honesty. The more genuine you are, the more people will trust you, and the more customers you'll get. The only solution to growing your business, in short, is to write engaging content that is backed up by real facts and objectivity. Ready to start your own campaign? Find out how I help professionals deliver truly engaging content backed by trust. Source: https://lnkd.in/eNKzUBwP

5 Reasons Why the "User Needs Model" Wins in Audience-Centric Journalism At the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Dmitry Shishkin, the "user needs guy" and CEO of Ringier Media International, discussed how audience data can inform editorial decisions. The User Needs Model he developed is a game-changer. Here is 5 reasons Why: 1. It Goes Beyond the Story: It goes beyond what to cover, focusing on how to tailor your story to resonate with your audience's needs. 2. Drives Data-Driven Decisions: It allows you to analyze audience data to see what topics and formats perform best, guiding your editorial choices for maximum impact. 3. You Can Start Small & Scale: No information overload! Analyze data section-by-section and by topic for actionable insights. 4. The Audience Editor Combines Data with Journalism: This unique role combines journalism and data analysis, keeping the newsroom laser-focused on user needs (as championed by Shishkin himself). 5. It's Flexible: Start with basic reach metrics, then delve deeper into engagement based on your business model (subscriptions vs. ads). People consume news for a variety of reasons. The User Needs Model helps you identify those reasons and tailor your content to best serve them. How do you engage with readers and understand their needs? PS. You can subscribe to the course by email here: https://lnkd.in/dNBYsGdM. You can also reach out to Emma Löfgren The Fix Media you have questions or want to share your own audience experiments. Thanks smartocto for the graphic. #Journalism #ContentMarketing #Media #DataDriven #News #Innovaation #Needs

CP Style f*cked me up. As a former journalist, I used to eat, sleep and breath CP style (Canadian Press, for anyone wondering). This is very, very different from AP style (American Press), but not in a way that matters to anyone else but a handful of people - mostly journalists, by the way. All my emails, all my essays, even my texts contained remnants of this style. Numbers were written out from one to nine, then written numerically afterwards. Percent was never spelled as one word, always two. And God forbid you’d use the symbol %, lest you anger the revered copy editors. And then I got into marketing. Turns out, if you write percent as two words for your accounting clients, they will reconsider your understanding of the English language. What’s worse (for my journalism brain), was realizing how different each customer’s style expectations were. Some have formal rules, (Always use “such as”, never “like”), while others are more conversational (and love using % all day everyday). I will always maintain that journalism is a solid stepping stone for the marketing world, but this is one area where a journalism background acts as a fumbling block. Here’s how I bridge the style gap with my clients: -I ask what their preferred style is early on, making sure to use specific examples (ie: Do you capitalize headlines? Are numbers ever spelled out?) Bonus points if they have a style guide already. -I look through past content. This is a great way to gauge where each client stands on a number of style issues without having to grill them. -I welcome constructive criticism. Mistakes are inevitable when onboarding new clients. I learn from my customers and change up my style when necessary. -I keep style notes for every client. This is key. Keeping up with each company’s unique preferences can get complicated otherwise. Style matters. It’s a crucial part of every business’s unique brand voice. Get it right, and your content will flow better. Get it wrong, and you may start to confuse your audience. Which is never a good thing.

📰 Headlines are not just for Journalists From my days in the newspaper industry to now working as a UXR, the importance of a compelling headline remains paramount. Whether you're penning an article or crafting a presentation, the right headline can make all the difference. 🔑 Key Takeaways for Crafting the Perfect Headline: 1️⃣ Brevity is paramount. 2️⃣ Prioritize accuracy and clarity. 3️⃣ Embrace the active voice. 4️⃣ Steer clear of redundancies. 5️⃣ Value verbs and mind the tense. As UXRs, journalists, or content creators, mastering headlines ensures our content not only reaches its audience but truly resonates. Dive deeper into the art of headlines in my latest blog post. You can also access my Google slides deck on the same topic. #Headlines #UXR #ContentCreation #Engagement https://lnkd.in/gnS4jnQm

"Do more with less" - it's a very appealing mantra for 2024 Nieman Journalism Lab have published their annual predictions for 2024, and Sarah Marshall's in particular really hit home...   “With a seemingly limitless number of platforms on which to meet and engage audiences — but still a finite number of hours in the day — teams will need to develop frameworks to understand where to start, stop, and pivot.”   I certainly agree, and this applies to even the very basics - content. At The Audiencers’ Festival, our panel spoke about the importance of studying the value of each article to understand which ‘type’ of content (or user needs) are most beneficial to different business goals - such as subscription (acquisition & retention), advertising or for your journalistic mission. For example, in today's newsletter I shared the New Statesman example of how they analyzed 844 articles published over 7 weeks for 2 performance metrics (page views and conversions) to ensure that each article had a clear role for the business.    After this analysis and work with editorial and product teams on optimization efforts, they successfully managed to increase performance of content whilst decreasing the number of articles published. More info on this strategy here: https://lnkd.in/euzmsbGR And sign up to The Audiencers' newsletter to get more insights like this every other Wednesday: https://lnkd.in/eBxzE8-s

What is the 4w 1H formula ? The 4W 1H formula is a method used in journalism and storytelling to gather and present essential information about an event or story. It consists of four W's and one H: let's break down each component: Who: This question focuses on the individuals or entities involved in the event or story. It helps identify the key people or organizations that are central to the narrative. This can include both primary characters and supporting individuals or groups. What: This question addresses what happened or is happening. It involves a description or explanation of the key actions, events, or developments that took place or are currently taking place. It provides the core details of the story or event. When: This question seeks to establish the timeline or timeframe of the event or story. It helps provide context and chronological order to the narrative. Understanding the time element is crucial for readers or listeners to grasp the significance and relevance of the information being presented. Where: This question explores the specific location or setting of the event or story. It can refer to a physical place, such as a city, building, or natural environment, or it can refer to a broader geographical area. Knowing the location helps readers or listeners visualize and understand the context of the event or story. How: This question delves into the process or mechanism by which the event or story unfolded or is unfolding. It provides insight into the cause and effect relationships that led to or are leading to the event or story. Understanding the "how" helps to provide a deeper understanding of the context and impact of the event or story. By answering these five questions, journalists and storytellers can provide a comprehensive and informative account of an event or story. The 4W 1H formula ensures that all crucial details are covered, making the storytelling or reporting more complete and engaging for the audience.

🚀 Delving into the realm of SEO and journalism with Ryan Restivo on the latest episode of AImpactful revealed how the YESEO app is transforming news story visibility online. It's bridging the gap between outstanding journalism and its deserving audience. 🌟 Speaking with Ryan Restivo, the mastermind behind YESEO, provided a unique insight into the integration of SEO within newsrooms. His drive to boost digital journalism through accessible, intelligent technology is not only inspiring but also pivotal for the industry. 🔍 The discussion extended beyond the technical aspects of SEO, delving into how YESEO empowers journalists to make their stories stand out in the digital realm. Ryan's dedication to preserving the human essence within storytelling, amidst the rapid digital evolution, aligns with the future of journalism I envision. 🌟 A big thank you to Ryan Restivo for his invaluable insights and contributions to AImpactful and the wider conversation on journalism and technology. Your involvement in this crucial dialogue and your impact on digital journalism are greatly appreciated. 📰💡 🌍 For anyone intrigued by the confluence of journalism, technology, and meaningful storytelling, this episode is a must-watch. Don't miss the rich insights and inspiration it offers! 👇 Tune in to the full episode and be part of the conversation on journalism's dynamic digital landscape: https://lnkd.in/dzsy4AzW #AImpactful #SEO #DigitalJournalism #MediaInnovation #Storytelling #RyanRestivo #YESEO

If your thought leadership is anchored on LinkedIn and you want to grow, you need this for every post: A hook. Really, a hook is a trendier au courant old school journalism lede (spelled that way to differentiate from printing press lead of yore 🤓 ). Simply put: it’s a writing device to grab attention and make people continue reading. If you can't stop the scroll, you can’t create connection, start a conversation or continue to relationship-build over time. There are a ton of hook generators, lists, AI tools, forums and feedback groups. Lots of fancy ways to try to generate hooks. Many of those options lead to generic, canned-sounding copy. They help and can cut time, but my bias is that excellent copy comes from YOU, YOUR BRAIN. It’s distinguishable from the things other people are writing. To write a good hook quickly, you can do what journalists have done for decades. Start by: ❓ Asking a question 🙀 Stating a surprising fact ❎ Debunking a common misconception 😱 Making a controversial or polarizing statement There are other kinds of classic ledes (e.g. the 5Ws+1H) but the ones listed above are ideal for LinkedIn or other social media. LinkedIn is a particularly hook-thirsty place because of its short content area before the “more” prompt. If you’re looking to take your thought leadership on a new adventure, reach out.

Embracing Change in Journalism: A Necessity for Mid-Level Professionals! Reflecting on my journey in journalism, several years ago, piecing together news stories was no walk in the park. The process involved passing through various hands – from the news editor to the typist, audio studio, and film editor. Picture this: three hours for a mere two-minute news story! Fast forward to today, technology has revolutionized the landscape. The entire process that once took hours can now be accomplished in minutes. The real question is, are you evolving with the times? What new skills are you acquiring? Here are three additional tips for mid-level journalists aiming to scale up: 1. Embrace Digital Editing: Familiarize yourself with modern digital editing tools to streamline the post-writing process and enhance the overall quality of your stories. 2. Master Social Media Engagement: Develop a knack for effectively utilizing social media platforms to amplify your reach, connect with your audience, and stay ahead of emerging trends. 3. Cultivate Multimedia Skills: Enhance your storytelling by acquiring skills in multimedia production, incorporating visuals, audio, and interactive elements to captivate your audience in this digital age. The “I don’t know” mindset can have significant consequences. Love to hear from you ! #Journalism #Adaptability #SkillsUpgrade

The Impact of News received from Social Media Platforms has significantly changed the way News is covered, moving beyond the Traditional Medium of Print and Television. A Few Ways Social Media is changing the Media Landscape can be seen as follows:- 1. Real-Time Information: Social Media Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) provide Immediate Updates and Reporting of an Event taking place from any part of the Globe. 2. Live Interaction: Social Media Platforms allow for Live Interaction and Discussion through the comment section of the various platforms thus ensuring a two-way communication process. 3. Diverse Perspectives: Social Media Platforms offer an opportunity for Various Perspectives and Viewpoints to be shared. This helps to provide a more Detailed Understanding of an Event or Happening. 4. Citizen Journalism: Ordinary Citizens can Report News or Provide First-Hand Accounts of an Event unfolding. This is extremely important as it is not possible for a Media Professional to always be present when an Event takes place. 5. Personalization of Content: The Social Media Algorithms allow customisation of News Content as per the Interest of an Audience. The News is personalised as per the Topic and Genre that is of greater importance to them. Thus, Social Media Platforms play a major impact in the way News is now Absorbed. #content #socialmedia #news #impact #journalism #journo #writing #media #platform #traditional #print #printmedia #television #facebook #instagram #x #twitter #landscape #medialandscape #information #socialmediaplatforms #immediate #events #reporting #report #happening #globe #discussion #feedback #liveinteraction #comments #live #communication #mediaprofessional #citizenjournalism #citizen #audience #viewpoint #perspective #interests #algorithms #socialmediaalgorithms #diverse #topic #genre #personalize #custom #important #newscontent #writing #medium #writer #stpauls #stpaulsinstitute #SPICE #stpaulsinstituteofcommunicationeducation