Social Weaver ran Twitter training for over 100 editorial staff from Independent Newspapers countrywide in August and September 2015. The aim was to familiarise staff with the increasing value of Twitter in an increasingly challenging news environment. Journalists, photographers, sub-editors and editors got stuck into learning more about the mechanics of Twitter, how to ‘filter the noise’ using hashtags and lists, and how to get their content in front of and shared by bigger audiences.
Here’s a list of the publications we visited – thanks for having us!
- Durban: The Mercury, Post, Independent on Saturday, iSolezwe (Zulu), Daily News, Sunday Tribune
- East London: iSolezwe (isiXhosa)
- Johannesburg: The Star, Saturday Star, Sunday Independent, IOL Motoring, IOL Tonight, Business Report
- Pretoria: Pretoria News
- Kimberley: Diamond Fields Advertiser
- Cape Town: Cape Argus, Cape Times, Daily Voice, Weekend Argus, Personal Finance, House & Garden, GQ, GLAMOUR, Mojo IOL, Cape Community Newspapers.
If content is king, community is its kingdom
Twitter, like all forms of social media, is most effective when you engage in two-way conversations. Think about it: if you’re at a conference or party, you’re probably going to have a better time by actively conversing with people. That means not just sitting in a corner by yourself, and also not just blowing your own trumpet without taking the time to listen to what other people have to say.
Similarly, for journalists and media organisations, it’s important not to just use Twitter as a link-dumping machine, but to use it to acknowledge, listen to and interact with your audiences. This results in better journalism (because good journalism is all about knowing what your community cares about), a bigger and more loyal following, enhanced brand awareness and hey, maybe even increased sales, subscriptions and/or advertising revenue!
Our training focused on practical ways to achieve the above, and also introduced participants to a variety of free online tools that can be used to monitor, measure and manage one’s efforts on Twitter – all of which are key parts of a successful Twitter strategy.
Participants quickly took to using the #indytwittertraining hashtag to share their thoughts about and post photos of the training – here are a few examples:
Day 2 of #indytwittertraining by @verashni @lipika777 awesome! @GraesonHaw @TasneemHassan @MikaNiketaW11 @lilliamos pic.twitter.com/uRO5ERQ1hG
— Kaylynn Palm (@kaylynnpalm) September 3, 2015
Slaying Twitter #indytwittertraining @kaylynnpalm pic.twitter.com/dVanA7pOzy — Mika Nikita Williams (@MikaNiketaW11) September 3, 2015
Seems I must stop lurking. So here it is… my first tweet after #indytwittertraining @kaylynnpalm @verashni https://t.co/Sg8PWtJ25T
— Graeson Haw (@GraesonHaw) September 2, 2015
Learning so much at #indytwittertraining Indy charging into digital realm in leaps and bounds! — Simoneh de Bruin (@SimonehDB) September 2, 2015
Learning so much at #indytwittertraining Indy charging into digital realm in leaps and bounds!
— Simoneh de Bruin (@SimonehDB) September 2, 2015
@pretorianews you’re never too old to learn. #tweetdeck thank you Steven and Michael #indytwittertraining — elaine ash (@elaine_ash) August 27, 2015
Twitter seems less overwhelming now that #indytwittertraining is complete. Thanks @saltwag @SteveKrom @socialweaverZA Twitter here I come!
— Gabi Falanga (@Gabi_Falanga) August 25, 2015
“The #role of editors and #journalist curate and facilitate conversation.” – @saltwag #indytwittertraining #TheStar — Ilanit Chernick (@LanC_02) August 25, 2015
Becoming clever twits in today’s #indytwittertraining with @saltwag @SteveKrom @socialweaverZA Woohoo! pic.twitter.com/CnMSAd35VH
— Gabi Falanga (@Gabi_Falanga) August 25, 2015
If you’re interested in social media training for your newsroom or company, please get in touch.