Mojo Checklist

General, , , ,

Preparation begins well before you head to a story. There’s nothing more frustrating than when something that could have easily been prevented goes wrong in the field. So, don’t wait until you’re in the field to complete this checklist. Store this mobile journalism checklist in your “go” bag.

  • Do you have all the gear you normally use? Mic(s), headphones, monopod, etc.
  • Do you have enough memory on your device(s)? Check your device settings for this information.
  • Are your devices charged? What about your portable charger? Did you remember your car charger?
  • Do you have batteries for equipment that needs them?
  • Do you have all the cords for your devices?
  • Do you have all the social media and production apps on your phone that you’ll need to get the job done?
  • Have you tested the mic(s) you plan on using?
  • Have you searched for locations where you can tap into wi-fi, if you need it? Certain apps pinpoint on a map where public wi-fi spots are located.
  • Recharge and repack as soon as you get home or back to the newsroom!

 

Week #13 To-Do List

To-Do List

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday, April 23:

  • One blog post should be related to your beat. In the other blog post, reflect upon our course goals from the syllabus. In this post, you can integrate what you discussed in your portfolio presentations. Share blog entries via Twitter, LinkedIn, and your professional Facebook page. Remember to social media optimize (SMO) when you share across social media platforms.

Reminder:

Continue working on your social media policy/strategy presentations (begin April 25).

Week #12 To-Do List

To-Do List

We’re in the homestretch! Remember, your final story is due by the end of class Friday, and the Storify is due by midnight, Saturday April 16.

Below are the items you’re required to share while producing your final story. These must be spread out during the newsgathering and production process. You will not get full credit if you share these items after you’ve completed your story. 

  • At least four tweets related to your story. Remember to @mention and use hashtags when possible. The goal is to engage your social media audience. Ideas we’ve discussed: tell them what you’re working on, provide a behind-the-scenes look, ask a question about the story. Give your audience meaningful information.
  • Produce one video promoting your story (you choose the app this time), and then share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page.
  • Two photos: share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page.

Continue reading Week #12 To-Do List →

Week #11 To-Do List

To-Do List

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday April 9:

  • Two blog posts: one related to your beat. The other should be focused on our discussion Friday with IC alumna Christine Loman (@ChristineLoman), social media lead at Syracuse.com, and Katie Kramer (@KatieKrames), web and mobile producer/SMO specialist at Syracuse.com.
  • Complete the HootSuite Certified Professional Exam. Once you pass, add your name to the HootSuite directory and let your Twitter followers know that you are now @HootSuite certified. I recommend adding the certification to your resume. On the appropriate Facebook thread, you will submit the link to your HootSuite directory page, indicating that you’ve passed the exam.

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Week #10 To-Do List

To-Do List

Below are the items you’re required to share while producing your third story. They must be completed by the time you submit your story on Friday, April 1

  • At least four tweets related to your story. Remember to @mention and use hashtags when possible. The goal is to engage your social media audience. Ideas we’ve discussed: tell them what you’re working on, provide a behind-the-scenes look, ask a question about the story. Give your audience meaningful information.
  • Produce one video using the Videolicious app. Upload it to YouTube, and then share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page.
  • Two photos: share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page.

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday April 2:

  • Create a Storify with the items mentioned above. Submit the Storify link to the appropriate thread on our Facebook page.

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday April 16:

  • Take part in a tweet chat related to either your beat or journalism. Plan accordingly; check the schedule of chats (This is not an exhaustive list. I also recommend doing a Google search to see if there’s a chat related to your beat). This article lists the journalism chats. You must respond to at least four questions asked by the moderator. Engage! Retweet, reply, and follow people you find interesting.
  • Create a Storify of the tweet chat, and submit the link to the appropriate thread on our Facebook page.

Week #9 To-Do List

To-Do List

Welcome back from spring break! Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday March 26:

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Week #7 To-Do List

To-Do List

Below are the items you’re required to share while producing your second story. These must be spread out during the newsgathering and production process. They must be completed by Friday, March 11.

  • At least four tweets related to your story. Remember to @mention and use hashtags when possible. The goal is to engage your social media audience. Ideas we’ve discussed: tell them what you’re working on, provide a behind-the-scenes look, ask a question about the story.
  • Produce a Snapchat Story while you’re reporting! Make sure to save the Story to your camera roll. You will submit this video to me. While producing the Snapchat Story, you must cross promote at least once on Twitter and your professional Facebook page. I highly recommend following news outlets on Snapchat in order to see how they’re using this platform. NBC News does a fantastic job producing engaging Snapchat content.
  • Two photos: share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday March 12:

  • Upload your Snapchat Story to the Forums section of Sakai.
  • Create a Storify with the other items mentioned above, including your cross-promotion of Snapchat. Submit the Storify link to the Forums section of Sakai.
  • Sign up for a live blogging shift for Ed Tech Day.
  • Complete the analytics log sheet.

Week #6 To-Do List

To-Do List

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday March 5 :

  • Both blog posts should be related to your beat. Share blog entries via Twitter, LinkedIn, and your professional Facebook page.
  • Complete the analytics log sheet.
  • Tweet at least 12 times. In addition, make sure you’re re-tweeting, replying , and using hashtags on a regular basis—important for engagement.
  • Give a #FF (or #FollowFriday) shout-out to at least three people related to your beat; mention the reason you’re giving them a #FF.

Below are the items you’re required to share while producing your second story. These must be spread out during the newsgathering and production process. They must be completed by Friday, March 11.

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Week #5 To-Do List

To-Do List

Below are the items you’re required to share while producing your first package. These must be spread out during the newsgathering and production process. They must be completed by Friday, February 26.

  • At least four tweets. Remember to @mention and use hashtags when possible. The goal is to engage your social media audience. Ideas we’ve discussed: tell them what you’re working on, provide a behind-the-scenes look, ask a question about the story.
  • Video tease: share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page
  • Two photos: share to Twitter and your professional Facebook page

Package #1:

  • 550-600 word story
  • Gallery with at least four images
  • Video (1-1:30 minutes)

Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday, February 27:

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Week #4 To-Do List

To-Do List

We’re rockin’ and rollin’. Keep up the good work. Remember, we will not have class Wednesday or Friday. Follow #ICatSCPrimary for our journalism students’ coverage of the South Carolina Republican primary for NBC News. Complete the following items by 11:59 p.m., Saturday February 20:

  • Two blog posts: both related to your beat.
  • Share both blog entries via Twitter, professional Facebook page, and LinkedIn.
  • Comment on one of your classmate’s blog posts.
  • LinkedIn: Endorse at least five people, and write one recommendation.
  • If you haven’t done so already, add the Twitter widget to your website.
  • Tweet at least 10 additional times about your beat and/or class-related material. Remember, tweets must be spread out during the week.

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