Creating multi-platform stories allows reporters to promote themselves and their stories, explained journalist Victoria Lim on Monday.
“Read me, watch me, surf me,” Lim said at the RTDNA/SPJ Conference in New Orleans, La.
Lim is a sports reporter and anchor for Bright House Sports Network. She spent over 10 years reporting in Tampa, Fla. While in Tampa, Lim worked as an investigative and consumer reporter for both television and print, producing content for the web, as well.
Lim was at the RTDNA/SPJ Conference as part of the 2011 Excellence in Journalism Conference. About 65 people attended Lim’s session.
In her session, Lim encouraged journalists to report across media platforms. Lim encouraged recognizing the strengths of different reporting platforms.
“Just because you do a story one way, doesn’t mean you have to do a story the same way each time,” Lim said.
In her session on multiplatform reporting on Monday, Lim encouraged journalists to capitalize on the strength of each reporting medium, master the role of multi-tasking and use social media as a tool for reporting.
On capitalizing on the strength of each reporting medium, Lim said it is important to realize the function each outlet serves. “The video story was about the nuts and bolts,” Lim said. “I wanted the text story to be about the science."
• Use video for visuals, audio and personal interviews
• Use audio for natural sound, personal interviews
• Use print for longer, deeper analysis of stories
• Use online for the immediacy factor, links, interactivity
On multi-tasking, Lim emphasized the importance of staying focused while on assignment.
Lim said journalists should keep these tips in mind when multi-tasking:
• Using audio and video recorders as a second notebook
• Take pictures and upload immediately
• Write and edit on the go
On using social media as a tool, Lim said it is important to utilize these tools while reporting in the field. “We cannot ignore the rise in social media and the use for that tool,” said Lim.
Lim gave this advice for journalists using social media:
• Use social media sites as a resource to distribute information
• Direct followers/friends back to your coverage and stories
• Use social media sites to keep your audience updated
Creating multi-platform stories allows reporters to promote themselves and their stories, explained journalist Victoria Lim on Monday.
