1. Journalists use social media as a Source
Why must you follow them?

2. Case Study
When Lisa Eckelbecker first signed up for Facebook she wasn't sure what to make of it. But as a reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper, she soon started getting friend requests from readers and people she had interviewed for stories.
After attending a seminar at Columbia University on how to use social networking tools, Eckelbecker chose the latter option.

3. Personal or Professional?
"I realized that I was facing a dilemma," she says. "I could use Facebook to communicate with and listen to my immediate family and close friends, or I could use it as a business tool to share my work, build contacts and listen to lots of different people."

4. Posting professional work
"I have started posting my stories to my news feed, and it's been gratifying to see people occasionally comment on them," she says. "Recently, I asked my Massachusetts friends if they could help me find sources for a story on supermarket retailing. I struck out with that request, but I like the idea of using Facebook to find sources and will try that again.

5. Social media used as a source
If your company is using social media to share news and messages and start conversations with consumers. . .good for you! 

6. Tailor your message to the platform
 De Rosa, social media editor, and Young, wealth editor, both think Facebook is a more appropriate forum than Twitter for having a conversation with readers. De Rosa likens Facebook to a "town square," enabling journalists to ask readers for feedback, find sources or just discuss a recent article. He in turn refers to Twitter as more of a "news feed."

7. Twitter according to young
"Twitter is not a great place for conversation," Young said. "It’s a great place to get information out." She said tweets including data points and quick stats are most likely to go viral. De Rosa said Google+ can also provide a platform for dialogue due to its layout, if it manages to evolve in popularity.

8. Lessons
Social media is increasing as an influential source of information used by journalists.
Social media has a positive effect on the quality of journalism, including the angle and content of stories.
Nine out of 10 journalists have used social media to investigate an issue.
Twitter provides the most valuable information sources, while blogs most often provide the foundation for the story.

9. Connecting with journalits
Journalists are under pressure to find sources and leads to the stories.
By connecting with them, you are at the edge of providing the much needed expert information since you are an industry expert
Since following them would mean you are privy to what they are writting and talking about, you will be more proactive in delivering the goods they are looking for.
This alone will build a great relationship you and the journalist

10. Source
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