Twitter will play an important part in my journey to learn how journalists use it and other social media sites to create an online identity. // photo by Katherine Burgess
While working a journalism internship in Washington, D.C., I met a host of intriguing journalists who I now follow online.
I met a fiery, conservative editor who loves her cat and social media; a hilarious political reporter who could write a book of stories about covering the campaign trail during election season; and a laid back mother who also makes a living as a thoughtful religion reporter.
Each of these people use social media, incorporating both their journalistic area of expertise and fun tidbits of their personality. How they—and other journalists—use social media impacts how the world sees them. Most of the world won’t have a chance to meet these journalists in person, but anyone can connect with them online.
As a student who is moving into the world of journalism, I know it is crucial to have a solid online identity—part of a “personal brand.”
Since I’m not entirely sure where to start with building such a brand—and since I am conveniently taking “Social Media Theory and Strategies” (COM356) this semester—I have decided to develop a “personal learning plan” in which I will study how a journalist can best use social media to create a cohesive online identity that: 1) shows the personality of the journalist, 2) clearly communicates the journalist’s area of expertise, and 3) creates interest in following the journalist’s work.
The subject is fascinating to me—and I get class credit for it! Pretty exciting, if you ask me.
In order to learn these things, I will analyze the social media (including Twitter accounts, LinkedIn profiles, etc.) of journalists who have succeeded in building a very specific brand for themselves. I’ll also read some of the great resources out there, such as those available on various blogs about personal branding and/or journalism (such as “Market Yourself Smarter” and “Journalistics”).
In doing so, I will build up my own journalistic identity on social media, focusing on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Muck Rack. Through analyzing the way other journalists use social media, I will construct a personal brand—how I want to be seen online. I will then apply what I have learned to these three social media sites, using them so that each supports the specific image I want to create. I will also create a document on what I have learned to share with other student journalists.
I cannot wait to get started. I also appreciate any help or guidance from those wiser and more versed in social media and journalism than I am. So, do you have any suggestions? Any people who I should seek out for advice? Any websites to check out?
Stay tuned to learn more about my social media journey this semester. And also be sure to follow me on Twitter for regular updates!
~Katherine
We Moved the World Online 