This has been a summer of celebrity deaths (find a few of them here) – and has it become an opportunity for celebrity gossip Web site TMZ to build its credibility?
In late June, TMZ was the first to report Michael Jackson died, and last night I noticed it again with DJ AM’s passing. What’s important about that? The site was right both times.
It’s interesting because so many main-stream media won’t report it until the news is confirmed (via the AP, or another major news source), and that doesn’t include TMZ. I don’t blame these media, considering I work for one of them, as credibility is of utmost importance and TMZ doesn’t carry the best reputation.
But what happens when the gossip site is the first to report major stories correctly – thereby improving its credibility? And how is this happening?
The day after Michael Jackson died, the Los Angeles times wrote about this same issue – how TMZ reported the scoop far earlier than any other media. (What’s interesting is that the managing editor of TMZ said “We were getting calls from everyone under the sun, established news operations, asking, ‘Are you sure?’ That’s such an odd question. We would not have published it if it were not true.”) And its happened again, granted on a smaller scale.
So how is this possible? What is main-stream media missing? Do we not have enough contacts who know people who know people? Or is there something more to it?
What do you think? How do you feel about this? What are your thoughts on TMZ – and do you think the site is building its credibility, or is it just lucky?
Too often I hear that folks don’t use Twitter because they don’t have time. Well my experience today proves, if nothing else, that Twitter saves time.
Around 4 p.m. I had received a heart-breaking e-mail from my mother, a kindergarten teacher. It has only been a few days since the kids had returned to school, and she was already exhausted because her shoes were hurting her feet. She asked me for any recommendations I could offer because she wanted to get new shoes as soon as possible.
I had no idea where to start, so I went to Twitter:
Within an hour I had received no fewer than 15 fantastic suggestions, some with links to specific shoes:
I had no idea where to start helping my mom – but my Twitter friends did. Instead of wasting time trying on shoes at a store or searching for online reviews I can trust, they came to me with recommendations and experiences. Twitter *saved* me time.
The best part is that it’s not always about shoes or restaurant recommendations – or whatever you decide to ask your followers. Twitter friends are always bringing you news and recommendations. If you take the time to learn how to use the site properly, it really does become a useful tool.
So thank you, Twitter. I’ll let you know how our shopping trip goes!
When I started this blog, I was quite excited to get some thoughts, news events and tips written down in one place. While I’ll always view my blog as a work in progress, I know there are a number of things I can do to make the site more user-friendly (and let’s face it, acmaurer-friendly too).
One of those things is the use of categories and tags. Brent Payne once explained it to me, but I think I was too excited about starting my own blog to really listen. Well, now I think it’d be a great weekend project – I just need to get my ducks in a row.
Today I was invited to become a member of the Society of Professional Journalists 2009-2010 Digital Media Committee. Hilary Fosdal, who I met at the Chicago Media Future Conference, contacted me and told me about her plans and goals for the committee – and I must say, I’m quite excited!
I’m very much looking forward to working with the entire team and developing a blog that others may use as a resource as well as learning about the other projects.
So here’s to new ventures, friendships and fighting the good fight!
**A work in progress – Feel free to suggest your favorite basic (or advanced) Twitter app/service by leaving it in a comment. Thanks!**
Tweetdeck – A Twitter client that organizes your direct messages, mentions and stream into separate columns. You can set up additional columns that follow certain friends or search terms. I’ve had trouble with Tweetdeck not keeping track of all of my friends, but that problem sounds pretty rare.
Tweetlater – Have a lot to say, but not always around to say it? Try Tweetlater – the perfect way to schedule Tweets throughout the day.
How to find folks to follow:
Twitter Search – Click on “Advanced Search” and you’ll find a number of fields you can search by. Search for people chatting about a certain event or topic, or find friends who live in your area.
Twellow – The so-called Twitter Yellow Pages – a great way to find friends by interest.
So sorry I’ve been absent from the blogging world lately. I’m back now.
There have been a number of crises in the social media world lately: The Amazon.com GLBTQ-book rating problem, CNN and its @CNNBrk account-ownership issue and, of course, the viral video of Domino’s employees. ( Read more about them here.) Of course that doesn’t include the countless others that go on every day.
These problems are bound to happen. Sometimes you can expect them, and other times you can’t. This is why I’m a firm believer in having a game plan and knowing how to execute it properly when the time comes. Need help finding out how to do this? I’ve read dozens of blog posts that chat about surviving these times and how to come out on top. You can find two here: How to weather a Twitterstorm and How to: Survive a social media revolt.
One reoccurring theme is that if you’re going to have a presence in social media, you need to be there all the time: when people are singing your praises and when they’re calling for your head. Too often companies run from this criticism, and stick their metaphorical heads in the sand.
But you can’t run and hide when you’re involved with social media. In fact, social media should make that communication that much easier. It allows companies to listen to the conversation and the buzz surrounding them.
Social media allows for better communication between a company and its customers. When a crisis hits, it’s an ideal way to communicate with the public quickly, which is something companies need to do. If you have a problem and people are talking about it – an official statement needs to be released even if it only acknowledges the problem. Why? Because it shows your customers that you’re listening and that you care — about them.
Sometimes this can be more easily said than done. And I completely acknowledge that. That’s why it’s so important to have all members of your company on board so there aren’t any hold-ups when the crisis hits.
Your customers will always be chatting and sharing on social sites (sometimes about you). So where will you be?
What are your thoughts? How do you think Amazon.com, CNN and Domino’s fared their storms? Any other examples?
I’ve seen something like this before, but I’m glad to see someone updated it. It explains the statistics of what the world would be like if it consisted of only 100 people. It really puts things into perspective.
If you’re not a fan of Tweetdeck or Twirl and are looking for another Twitter client, check this out: TwitterGadget. This client allows you to submit status updates via iGoogle or Gmail. I won’t lie – this client looks pretty perky – and offers several nice features (the option to turn on/off thumbnails, timestamps, additional info about the user by hovering over the user’s icon, etc.).
However, I don’t think I’ll be using it. Why? I think it’s because 1) I’m stuck in my ways since I’ve found a method that works well for me, and 2) I’d still want to have several searches open (my own name, so I know what people are talking about in real time and other major news sources in the area), which means I may as well have several Twitter tabs open in a window anyway. -Why not use Tweetdeck then? Unfortunately for me, Tweetdeck doesn’t keep track of all of my friends. Lame.
But if you have a chance to play with TwitterGadget, please let me know what you think! I’m always looking for ways to be more efficient!
Tired of having random cats wander through their cat door and eat their pets’ food, these folks decided to take a stand. Their two cats each have a RFID tag in their collars. When they come close to the cat door, it unlocks, allowing them in. AND every time the cats go in or out, a photo is taken and a Tweet is made.
If you want to follow the cats’ Twitter account, you can do so here: GusAndPenny.
The past year has brought about many changes -- one, I'm no longer at the Chicago Tribune. After a great two years there, I've moved on to Creative Director at Consumer Media Network. I'm also no longer "acmaurer" technically, since I married my best friend in June '11. I'm now Amanda Woodhead, but between you, me and the Internet, I'll always be acmaurer. So thanks again for stopping by, and here's to some great conversations.
Want to find me on the Web? I'm acmaurer on most social news and networking sites.
PS, I doubt I have to say this, but this is my personal blog and doesn't reflect the opinion of my employer.
