This was a fun read. I, too, was in Journalism school 20 years ago (wow has it been that long!) and you took me back a bit.
The hardest thing for me and what I spent most of my time on was always crafting a good lead. And that is all twitter is...a good lead. I love that twitter is helping me get back to the very important lessons I learned years ago.
Great tips for those who didn't come through those ranks.
Ann Handley
· 6 months ago
The hardest part of journalism for me has always been writing short. Twitter has offered a bit of immersion training there. It's def. helped me get to the point!
AlanEdwards
· 6 months ago
I think twitter is a great way to learn and practice how to write compelling headlines whether we realize it or not.
Rebecca
· 6 months ago
GREAT post! I could not have said it better myself. As a recent-ish journalism grad, I can't wait to share this!!
I loved this! I just graduated "j-school" in May and am now a tweeter for my company. It helps!
Here's one more journalism guideline we should consider: Is this news? I try and tweet things that people will find helpful and relevant to their lives.
Follow me on Twitter....http://twitter.com/makeafortune
Glenn Garnett
· 6 months ago
I was in journalist school 30 years ago and am still trying to get people to get people to use nickel words in tight leads. Good tips indeed, especially for middle-aged journalists who think there's no place for them in the Twittersphere.
feastoffun
· 6 months ago
Thanks! I've always felt strongly about this idea, that new media still needs to build upon the lessons learned by traditional media, and always keep the audience in mind. Inform and engage, don't intimidate or speak above your reader.
Ann Handley
· 6 months ago
Nice perspective, and good point! Thanks, feast.
feastoffun
· 6 months ago
I'm someone who successfully went form traditional media, working for almost 10 years in newspaper publishing as a designer and photographer into online media, as a podcaster and blogger.
Matias
· 6 months ago
Those rules actually apply to any writing. Twitter just makes it oblicatory. Good stuff still...
bob
· 6 months ago
Mashable, what do I have to do to stop receiving your updates in my twitter homepage? I already blocked you and never followed you. I don't care for your messages. I feel like I'm being harassed with flooded updates from you.
Lewis Green
· 6 months ago
Ann,
It's been 35 years since I graduate J School but the lessons above have stuck with me through the decades. Good writing is good writing no matter the medium. Thanks for sharing.
Lew
Peggy Dolane
· 6 months ago
Twitter is all about learning what headlines sell and which ones don't. Take a page from the direct marketer handbook and test it. Use a trackable url shortener like budurl or snipurl when you shorten your link. Try a few different headlines with your links. Then watch to see which tweets get the most clicks.
Mike Morrissey
· 6 months ago
If Mark Twain were alive today, we might has written, "Please forgive the long Tweet. I did not have time to write a short one."
All Comments
This was a fun read. I, too, was in Journalism school 20 years ago (wow has it been that long!) and you took me back a bit.
The hardest thing for me and what I spent most of my time on was always crafting a good lead. And that is all twitter is...a good lead. I love that twitter is helping me get back to the very important lessons I learned years ago.
Great tips for those who didn't come through those ranks.
Here's one more journalism guideline we should consider: Is this news?
I try and tweet things that people will find helpful and relevant to their lives.
-Alysa
www.yourenew.com
It's been 35 years since I graduate J School but the lessons above have stuck with me through the decades. Good writing is good writing no matter the medium. Thanks for sharing.
Lew