The New Yorker's George Packer breaks down how he handles reporting his prize-winning stories: Don't go in cold -- research, learn the history of the subject or place Find a guide to show you around -- get a local to introduce you. Ask your interviewees who else you should talk to Go in … [Read more...] about A Basic Guide to Reporting Anything
Did Expense-Account Journalism Kill Magazines?
Ann Patchett has a piece in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ.com), suggesting that writers living large on Conde Nast's expense accounts may have hastened the end of Gourmet magazine. Using herself as an example, she describes the lavish trips and posh resorts she experienced courtesy of Gourmet. Did … [Read more...] about Did Expense-Account Journalism Kill Magazines?
Online Ad Revenues Rising Again
After a huge dip, online advertising seems to trending up again -- at least in the last quarter. A bit of good news. From the Internet Advertising Bureau, IAB.net via MediaMemo, Wall Street Journal, All Things Digital … [Read more...] about Online Ad Revenues Rising Again
Lessons in Social Media – Guy Kawasaki
If you are searching for a model of how to integrate social media and content -- Twitter, Facebook and websites, Guy Kawasaki deserves some attention. Guy (actually a blogger who works for Guy, named Catherine Faas), serves up the story three ways: short and direct on Twitter, a long teaser with an … [Read more...] about Lessons in Social Media – Guy Kawasaki
Malcolm Gladwell “Why the revolution will not be tweeted”
In the pages of the New Yorker, author Malcolm Gladwell makes an interesting point about what could be called "cohesion" differences between hierarchical organizations and social networks, using Twitter as a case study. Several writers have made the point that Twitter paid a key role during the … [Read more...] about Malcolm Gladwell “Why the revolution will not be tweeted”
Digital Journalist’s Toolbox: Google Voice
When you register with Google Voice, the free virtual receptionist service, you get a phone number that you can use to make and record calls, receive voicemails and texts, and forward to any and all of your regular numbers.It also provides a host of features that could make it invaluable to the … [Read more...] about Digital Journalist’s Toolbox: Google Voice
Digital Writing: Jacob Nielsen on Usable Writing
The study of how people interact with websites has several branches. The inventor of one branch, called "usability," is Jacob Nielsen. I've been reading his column since the mid-nineties. In general, his advice is the same as any first-year journalism class, only intensified for the internet … [Read more...] about Digital Writing: Jacob Nielsen on Usable Writing
Read or Dead: Is What You Write Worth It?
What you do has to be worth more than the cost of paying you to do it. A lot more. This is crystal clear in most industries, but gets muddied a bit in publishing. The combination of producing art, work that is in the public interest, and that which supports a healthy bottom line sometimes makes it … [Read more...] about Read or Dead: Is What You Write Worth It?