We started week three by discussing our homework, analyzing three days worth of LAObserved. Perhaps students' most-uniform observation was that they felt like outsiders -- that the blog was written for an specific audience to which they did not belong and that it had a narrative that they felt they were parachuting into.
That's okay. That's what a niche blog is -- a diary of a community that speaks mainly to that community. I suggested that students join that community and read LAO everyday, as it's the virtual water cooler of Los Angeles journalism that serves as a cheat sheet for assignment editors.
Others noted that its navigational features were weak or useless. I commented that that's the case for most publications. Search features at most outlets are almost useless, and I recommended using Google.
Finally some of you noted the vertical design of LAObserved -- classic blog. What's hot is on top.
I mentioned that this is a labor of love from a top-flight local journalist, yet it is almost wholly aggregated, respectfully so.
WHERE TO FIND NEWS?
I talked a little about where you would find news if you ended up setting up your own niche, online outlet. You'd have to find your own LAObserved, blogs with spheres of interest that cross into yours.
At LA Weekly we look at LAObserved, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, LAist, Curbed LA, Eastsider LA, the LAPD and other local sites daily. I emphasized the importance and convenience of Twitter where, if you follow L.A. news sources and reporters, will send you headlines that will flow like water. There will be many ideas to choose from. Follow people who are movers and shakers in the community you want to cover.
I also noted how, if you have interesting Facebook friends, you'll get story ideas from them. They'll post stuff that you'll want to pick up on. Friend up with journalists. They'll post their own stuff to promote it.
WHERE DO I FIND PHOTOS AND VIDEO?
I talked about how Wikipedia photos are good to use if you're in a bind, but that you can find great shots at photo sharing sites like Flickr, where many users will let you post their work. I suggested filtering your searches for "Creative Commons" pictures and then giving credit when you post a shot. Finally, if you're in a bind you can use slogans on t-shirts and other items for sale so long as you credit the e-commerce site they came from. You're giving them free advertising. Still, if anyone who owns an image objects to it being on your site, your best bet is to take it down immediately.
You can also find photos, often of breaking news, by searching Twitter for "Twitpic" and "Yfrog" uploads.
YouTube, of course, is going to be your main source for embedding video. If the embed function is available, you're free to use it unless a copyright holder objects (then take it down). Every TV news station in town also posts video and usually enables embedding.
Searching YouTube is not as effective as using Google in my experience. Also, using Google's "news" search function and entering video as one of your search terms will increase your chances of getting the latest news video. AP often posts video.
Finally, of course, you can take your own shots using a smartphone. I showed you some examples of shots and video I've taken. If you're taking video to post online, I suggest you keep it short. If you don't you'll have editing to do later. I also suggested that, during a regular interview, you whip out your smart phone and ask a subject to repeat a soundbite that's interesting to you. You can use that later. Post it to YouTube then embed it to your story.
HEADLINES
I reiterated that good headline these days doesn't usually tease -- unless you have a built-in audience like Gawker does. You're going to get Google traffic by packing keyword-rich words into your headlines. That usually starts with someone's name, if an identified person is involved in a story. Even if they're unknown, you'll pick up traffic from people Googling that name if you use it at the beginning of a headline. Don't be shy about putting other key terms in your headline. "Man shot in park" doesn't do it. "Joe Smith: Man Dies in Fatal Shooting at Main Street Park in Los Angeles" will help get you more eyeballs.
REPORTING
What is reporting? It's what separates the journalist from the bedroom blogger. While many of us aggregate, if you want to take it a step forward and get your own story, you have to pick up the phone, call experts, get to the bottom of things. The research and interviews -- that's reporting.
We recommend getting familiar with local authorities, city officials and professors to find good sources.
But today you can also "crowdsource" information via Twitter. If a big story breaks, from the recent Seal Beach shooting to last year's 7.2 Baja earthquake, you can find info from people at the scene by searching hashtag topics (#SealBeach, for example) and using Twitter's search function.
Facebook can also be a source of info if a story's huge or a cultural phenomenon. Look for special pages dedicated to an event or movement such as Occupy L.A.
DEADLINE REPORTING AND WRITING
I encouraged you to learn how to take notes by typing. It saves tons of time. If you're using a notepad, you have to flip through your notes, find what you're looking for, and then enter it into the story you're working on. If you used a digital recorder, you have to transcribe your notes, which doubles and triples your work time.
I encouraged you to learn how to take notes by typing. It saves tons of time. If you're using a notepad, you have to flip through your notes, find what you're looking for, and then enter it into the story you're working on. If you used a digital recorder, you have to transcribe your notes, which doubles and triples your work time.
Sometimes there are instances where you want audio and even video recordings of interviews with celebrities and dignitaries.
But usually typing your notes will be most effective, especially because ...
... You'll be able to copy and paste quotes, facts and significant passages directly into your post for quick writing and editing when you're on deadline.
I've developed a system that carries over from print: When I'm on deadline I make a call to someone who might want to weigh in on a story. If they don't call back immediately I go with the story and say in it that I called so-and-so for comment. Often they'll call after realizing their name is out there in a story where they haven't reacted but should have.
Sometimes I'll get a story from a particular side of an issue. I'll go with it. The other side will get mad and weigh in. I'll let it have its own post dedicated to its side of the story too. Or I'll update the original post.
UPDATING
I like to update a post at the bottom. That way people get a sense for what the story's about at the top. If you update it with the latest at the top, the story loses context, and people have to dig through the piece to figure out what it is you're updating. You might lose readers that way.
However, I will tease an update in bold, time stamp the story to the current time, and let people know what time it was originally posted: Updated at the bottom with comments from the city councilman. First posted at 8 a.m.
LA Weekly likes us to update often instead of staring a whole new post when a story develops. Why drag a story through time like that? Readers. Page views. A hot story will become a lightning rod for readers. You don't want to break that up if you can help it.
ONLINE INTERVIEWS
I don't recommend email interviews. Why? It's hard to ask follow-up questions and pin someone down on an issue. It's too easy for sources to brush a question off. Skype and IM are a little better in terms of follow-up questions, but using the phone is the best. I'll do an email Q&A for an entertainment story, though.
FINDING INFO ON PEOPLE ONLINE
We briefly went through some sources of information on people online, from Facebook to ZabaSearch. It's scary how much information is out there. My colleague Simone Wilson is a master at finding background about people, including photos, through Facebook and Twitter.
If someone, including a celebrity, has been arrested in L.A. County the booking information will likely be on the Sheriff's Inmate Information page.
HOMEWORK: USING TWITTER, YOUTUBE, AND YOUR PHOTOS IN A POST
We discussed my coverage of the so-called Hollywood rave riot this year. In my post I found YouTube video to post and I used my own iPhone photos and video as well. I followed the events on Twitter, and tweeted out what was happening from the scene as well.
I asked you to rewrite the post in about five paragraphs using original YouTube video, Twitter infomation and Creative Commons or other usable photos where possible.
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