Are you a journalist or a social media correspondent?

Ron Miller, who in my humble opinion, is one of the best journalist writing about all things technical brings up a good point in his recent blog on the difference between a reporter and a social media expert.   When I think of social media experts, I think of Christopher Brogan or David Meerman Scott.  Brogan's recent foray into a K-Mart and his blog is a classic example of how K-Mart leverage his followers and his writing style into a blog that I read last week.  Furthermore, the many friends of Brogan retweeted his K-Mart blog to those of us regular Twitter users.

However, Miller has a valid point when he noted:  “But Chris (and others who have done this) is not a journalist and we shouldn't treat him like one, but he is a person with a strong, hard-earned reputation as one of the beacons of social media. He has tens of thousands of people who follow him on Twitter. He has people who hire him for his expertise. He still has a reputation to uphold, even if it's not a journalistic one.”

It's important too that our English educators teach don't dumb down their instruction so that our next generation of readers can’t realize the difference between social media correspondents like Chris Brogan/David Meerman Scott and journalists like Miller, Omar Gallaga, the tech beat writer at the Austin American Statesman,  and Roy Bragg, the San Antonio Express News’ uberblogger.

I am thankful that there are people like Ron, who continue with the journalistic integrity to write about topics.  As someone who has done writing as a professional journalist and publicist, I understand his point between doing a paid endorsement than a professional journalist like him.   The blogosphere needs more voices like Ron, just like they need people like Chris and David.  We just have to be smart enough to know the difference in writing styles.

 

Is Roy Bragg the next Mike Royko?

I got an interesting Tweet from Roy Bragg, the San Antonio Express blogger in chief, about the need for readers and page views. Frankly, it's sad that a writer like Bragg has issues with page views. Roy is the funniest writer since the late Mike Royko graced the newspapers in Chicago. (For those of you who have never lived in the Midwest, Royko was the author of the famous book "Boss.) It's time for the editorial leadership at the Express News to recognize his draw and promote the heck out of him.

But, what do you expect from the same management team that dropped Doonesbury for one week because Trudeau correctly picked Obama as the winner. Note to Express News editors: "Get some cojones and push Roy." It will increase your readership/page views/advertising revenue.

Why public relations professionals should shadow journalists from time to time

Thanks to my friend Omar Gallaga, the cyber-journalist from the Austin American Statesman, I found this wonderful little blog: http://stuffjournalistslike.com/. I have worked both sides of the street as they say, having done stints with the San Antonio Express News and KSAT 12.

My initial impression as one who has lived in both worlds is that this is a pretty interesting little blog, written by someone who has actually observed journalists like Omar. For those young public relations type who haven't spent any time working with journalists, this is a good starting point for understanding the life of reporters.

However, the best education is to ask a reporter from the print, radio and TV to shadow them. My first Air Force supervisor, Katie Cutler, made me tote video cameras and lights for the local cable news channel in Guam. From this little exercise, I learned how TV professionals stage a story, edit it and then produce the final product. Because Katie made me carry the "sticks," I learned how important it is to make sure that journalists get good locations to carry their gear. I also understood a lot of other nuances that make for a good interview.

So, while this new blog is a good starting point for those who are just entering professional public relations, it's not the total solution either. Public relations professionals should shadow a media professional from time to time. Even seasoned professionals like me should take a day off to shadow a cyber journalist like Omar or Roy Bragg at the Express News.

So, Omar or Roy, if you are interested, please let me know. I would love to shadow y'all someday to learn how to get you the information you need. And, I'll pay for the coffee and lunch as long as it's at the Olive Garden. (Note: I still have a $25 gift certificate from there.)