Category: Social Media

How Craigslist Finally Paid Off

My Craigslist trolling finally paid off last week in the form of a three-day conference gig. But, it gets better. Not only did I meet some great people (with some other freelancing opportunities), there’s also the opportunity to keep working for the guy that hired me in the first place.

My days were spent taking notes, writing blog posts and Tweeting—all from atop a perch on the stage. The setup was a little bizarre—as you can see to the left—but people seemed to enjoy it. It certainly started a lot of conversations with people who otherwise might not have bothered.

You can check out my coverage at Daily Deal Media, where my byline might appear quite frequently from now on.

Facebook for Journalists

I just finished reading the thought-provoking piece “Meet Facebook’s Journalist Ambassador (Yes, We Said Ambassador)” on Fast Company. The article introduces 25-year-old Vadim Lavrusik, who is now the Journalist Ambassador for Facebook. I didn’t really have high hopes for the piece—and was pleasantly surprised—but two things jumped out at me:

“Especially for us print folks, we’re used to hiding behind our byline,” he says. But now that everyone can publish, a newspaper’s brand-name alone doesn’t guarantee credibility. Savvy readers will follow up, ask questions, tweet criticism, and send updates. “The conversation that takes place after the publication is just as much a part of that process.”

I think this reader connectivity is something journalists have been wanting—at least on some level—for years. It’s tough to spend days, even weeks, on a piece to send it out into the world and hear nothing. Nothing at all. All forms of social media, including Facebook, present an easy way for readers to respond to piece. Continue reading “Facebook for Journalists” →