By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
Idaho’s air smelled fresh and looked clean too. The smog I grew up with in the Northeast was gone. A view of pristine, snow-capped mountains surrounded me on each side in the distance and everywhere I went there were well-kept city and community parks.
One thing I was sure Idaho would have wasn’t there, though. I thought there were supposed to be potato farmers and rednecks everywhere but there weren’t. The people in Idaho weren’t that much different than the people in Massachusetts.
My friends went to school, did their homework and worked part-time jobs at supermarkets and fast-food joints. They went to the movies and to house parties to have fun on the weekends.
My friends’ parents worked in offices and went out to nice restaurants. Most of them went to college.
After my junior year of high school, my dad took a job in Boise, Idaho. It was the first time in my nearly 18 years of existence that we moved. I had lived in the same house in Canton, Massachusetts for my entire life.
My new house was huge. Real estate was much less expensive in Idaho than in Massachusetts. In my house in Canton, we had three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. In my new house, we had five bedrooms and three full bathrooms.
The new kitchen sparkled with freshly polished granite counters and the fancy cabinetry made my mom happy. I especially liked the under-cabinet lighting.
John, my new house’s builder, would come by every once in a while to fix anything that wasn’t working properly. Because my parents bought the house brand new, we got this “special” treatment.
John was a local. He was born and raised in Idaho. I asked him how many potato farms were in the area around our new neighborhood and he said there weren’t any. I was surprised.
My friends in Canton told me there were going to be redneck farmers everywhere. So did my family in Massachusetts. But there weren’t any redneck farmers near me. The people were the same.
I worked at a supermarket in one of Boise’s suburbs, Eagle, Idaho. My job was to stock the shelves for the stuff that sold fast like milk, bottled water, store-brand soda, eggs, dairy products and bread. For the time period leading up to Thanksgiving, I was responsible for keeping the stuffing, gravy and canned vegetable shelves full. During that pre-holiday sales rush, the citizens of Eagle bought frozen turkeys from the store’s meat department and bags of potatoes from the produce department.
Contrary to what I had thought beforehand, apparently the people in Idaho didn’t grow their own potatoes or raise their own turkeys. The Idahoans bought their potatoes, turkeys and vegetables at the store just like the people in Massachusetts.
After I made a few friends at my new high school, Mountain View High School in Meridian, Idaho, I accepted an informal invite to a party on a Friday night. I didn’t want to drive, so my friend picked me up. He wasn’t driving a beat up red pickup truck. He was driving a little red sport car.
We pulled up to the party in his fiery red Mitsubishi Eclipse with the convertible top down. The music was blaring but he wasn’t playing country music. We were listening to Dr. Dre.
The people inside sported American Eagle and Abercrombie & Fitch polo shirts. They wore Adidas and Nike sneakers and rocked Lucky and Tommy Hilfiger jeans. They weren’t wearing overalls, leather boots or flannel button-down shirts. No one was donning a cowboy hat.
I thought I was flying into Redneckville USA. Instead, I discovered that people everywhere are pretty much the same.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Twitter's more important now than ever
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
At the Society of Professional Journalists Region Three Spring 2010 Conference last weekend, speakers and panelists drilled Twitter even further into our skulls.
Not that emphasizing Twitter’s importance is a bad thing, but, I don’t think I’ve ever heard more about 140 character mini-messages in my life. Either way, it got me tweeting.
Over the past three days, I’ve tweeted 11 times. Since I opened my Twitter account more than a year ago until the March 19, I tweeted only 39 times. Expect more on-the-go tweets and regular updates from me.
Another thing the conference rejuvenated for me was my Facebook usage. I was going through a rough relationship with Facebook, a separation that brought me close to closing my account.
The SPJ Region 3 conference got me back on Facebook interacting with readers and friends, for better or worse.
Etan Horowitz, a digital media producer for CNN International, taught me and other conference attendees how to use Twitter, Facebook and other social media as a reporting tool instead of just a content promotion tool.
Horowitz showed us how to find Tweeters down to a U.S. postal code or a international city, a way to find previously impossible-to-locate sources and means to generate citizen journalism content.
At the Society of Professional Journalists Region Three Spring 2010 Conference last weekend, speakers and panelists drilled Twitter even further into our skulls.
Not that emphasizing Twitter’s importance is a bad thing, but, I don’t think I’ve ever heard more about 140 character mini-messages in my life. Either way, it got me tweeting.
Over the past three days, I’ve tweeted 11 times. Since I opened my Twitter account more than a year ago until the March 19, I tweeted only 39 times. Expect more on-the-go tweets and regular updates from me.
Another thing the conference rejuvenated for me was my Facebook usage. I was going through a rough relationship with Facebook, a separation that brought me close to closing my account.
The SPJ Region 3 conference got me back on Facebook interacting with readers and friends, for better or worse.
Etan Horowitz, a digital media producer for CNN International, taught me and other conference attendees how to use Twitter, Facebook and other social media as a reporting tool instead of just a content promotion tool.
Horowitz showed us how to find Tweeters down to a U.S. postal code or a international city, a way to find previously impossible-to-locate sources and means to generate citizen journalism content.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Older new media poses problems for industry
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
Are e-mails still relevant and effective forms of new mass communication? I don’t know the answer to that question but one thing that does surprise me is that people still push e-mail newsletters and e-mail marketing.
I’m shocked that such an emphasis is placed on an archaic new media form. In the day and age of Twitter, Facebook and endless social media and Web 2.0 platforms as well as iPhones, iPod Touches, Kindles, Blackberries and other smartphones, why focus on the new media of old.
Imagine an activist group pushing a Myspace page. It’s outdated. Or, if a professional videographer still uses those antiquated big tapes or if a photographer still uses film for non-aesthetic reasons.
The technology has evolved and, as a society, we’ve adapted to it and developed different uses for it. We still use Myspace, however infrequently. It has become a place for bands and musicians to promote their songs and albums. We still use cameras, but have better digital technology to help us out.
In terms of e-mail marketing and e-mail newsletters, I think the Web 2.0 business needs reform. New media experts out there need to focus and specialize e-mail’s usage so as not to overload readers and subscribers but to hone in on just the right balance of content in their inboxes.
Are e-mails still relevant and effective forms of new mass communication? I don’t know the answer to that question but one thing that does surprise me is that people still push e-mail newsletters and e-mail marketing.
I’m shocked that such an emphasis is placed on an archaic new media form. In the day and age of Twitter, Facebook and endless social media and Web 2.0 platforms as well as iPhones, iPod Touches, Kindles, Blackberries and other smartphones, why focus on the new media of old.
Imagine an activist group pushing a Myspace page. It’s outdated. Or, if a professional videographer still uses those antiquated big tapes or if a photographer still uses film for non-aesthetic reasons.
The technology has evolved and, as a society, we’ve adapted to it and developed different uses for it. We still use Myspace, however infrequently. It has become a place for bands and musicians to promote their songs and albums. We still use cameras, but have better digital technology to help us out.
In terms of e-mail marketing and e-mail newsletters, I think the Web 2.0 business needs reform. New media experts out there need to focus and specialize e-mail’s usage so as not to overload readers and subscribers but to hone in on just the right balance of content in their inboxes.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Get with the program, people
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
It’s that time of year again. We, The Gargoyle staff, just submitted our web newspaper for the Online Pacemaker award to the Associated Collegiate Press.
It got me thinking, though, that there are still hundreds if not thousands of student newspapers out there still with a print-first mentality. It irks me that fellow journalism students, who read and consume the majority of their news content online, have this glorified perception of print news.
When friends and co-workers of mine at The Gargoyle ask me: “What’s going to be in print?.” I answer, “Who cares?”
A print newspaper’s distribution only has limited reach and can only contain so much information. The print reporter is also limited by publication frequency.
Online news providers, however, have virtually unlimited reach and barely any size limits. Also, online reporters can file at any time on any day.
Let me tell you again, student journalists, in case it hasn’t seeped in yet: Print newspapers are going to die.
They might not go away completely, but print newspapers will certainly not be the focus of publication.
Fellow student journalists: act now. Get on board the new media train before it leaves you behind.
I also recommend that the ACP remove completely or lower the emphasis of a “Newspaper Pacemaker.” Call it a “News Service Pacemaker.”
It’s that time of year again. We, The Gargoyle staff, just submitted our web newspaper for the Online Pacemaker award to the Associated Collegiate Press.
It got me thinking, though, that there are still hundreds if not thousands of student newspapers out there still with a print-first mentality. It irks me that fellow journalism students, who read and consume the majority of their news content online, have this glorified perception of print news.
When friends and co-workers of mine at The Gargoyle ask me: “What’s going to be in print?.” I answer, “Who cares?”
A print newspaper’s distribution only has limited reach and can only contain so much information. The print reporter is also limited by publication frequency.
Online news providers, however, have virtually unlimited reach and barely any size limits. Also, online reporters can file at any time on any day.
Let me tell you again, student journalists, in case it hasn’t seeped in yet: Print newspapers are going to die.
They might not go away completely, but print newspapers will certainly not be the focus of publication.
Fellow student journalists: act now. Get on board the new media train before it leaves you behind.
I also recommend that the ACP remove completely or lower the emphasis of a “Newspaper Pacemaker.” Call it a “News Service Pacemaker.”
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Get a workflow together to help shift to web-first newsroom
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
The hardest part of a shift from a print-first mindset to a web-first mindset at a newspaper is getting a consistent workflow set up. When we switched to web-first at The Gargoyle, we had to develop a plan on how we were going to get a regular flow of copy and multimedia content through the staff to the Web site.
In print-first newsroom, it’s simple. Your reporter or writer sends in his or her story, the photographer sends in his or her images, the editor fixes it and design staff lays out the print edition. At each spot along the way, somebody has to give something to somebody else.
In the web-first newsroom, it’s a bit more difficult. The reporters, writers, editors, photographers and design staff members often double or triple in other roles. When making the switch, which you should already be doing, outline each person’s specific roles and hold your staff to their responsibilities.
As for the specific content, have designated places for each step of the “newsroom process” for the digital files to go.
At The Gargoyle, I set up a “Copyflow” folder with three steps:
Also, two more folders are in the “Copyflow,” system: a “Published” folder for copy after it’s published and a “Spiked” folder for stuff that doesn’t make it through the editing process.
I also set up a “Photoflow” and “Multimediaflow” based on the same process.
Following these guidelines, or something similar, will dramatically help the switch to web-first.
The hardest part of a shift from a print-first mindset to a web-first mindset at a newspaper is getting a consistent workflow set up. When we switched to web-first at The Gargoyle, we had to develop a plan on how we were going to get a regular flow of copy and multimedia content through the staff to the Web site.
In print-first newsroom, it’s simple. Your reporter or writer sends in his or her story, the photographer sends in his or her images, the editor fixes it and design staff lays out the print edition. At each spot along the way, somebody has to give something to somebody else.
In the web-first newsroom, it’s a bit more difficult. The reporters, writers, editors, photographers and design staff members often double or triple in other roles. When making the switch, which you should already be doing, outline each person’s specific roles and hold your staff to their responsibilities.
As for the specific content, have designated places for each step of the “newsroom process” for the digital files to go.
At The Gargoyle, I set up a “Copyflow” folder with three steps:
- To Sections. When a reporter’s stories come in, section editors put the word documents in there.
- To Editors. When section editors are done with the copy, they put it here so the managing editor and co-editors in chief can look at it.
- To Publish. After the managing editor or one co-editor in chief proofs the copy, it goes here for any last revisions before publishing online.
Also, two more folders are in the “Copyflow,” system: a “Published” folder for copy after it’s published and a “Spiked” folder for stuff that doesn’t make it through the editing process.
I also set up a “Photoflow” and “Multimediaflow” based on the same process.
Following these guidelines, or something similar, will dramatically help the switch to web-first.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Online journalism revenue success depends on content flow
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
The first step in developing a successful online or new media advertising revenue model is to build an audience. Why should it be any different than how traditional media stream revenue?
A print newspaper’s ad sales staff will present readership and subscription numbers and statistics to potential advertisers and a broadcast venue’s ad sales staff will present viewer and ratings numbers and statistics to potential advertisers. Both systems seemed to have worked pretty well in the past, right?
Web media should do the same. Editorial operators should be building web audiences to present to potential advertisers. It isn’t much different than old media. Actually, it’s exactly the same. When online news content quality starts improving, so will readership and ad sales revenue.
To make money, web publishers need to look to reporters and editors with the highest journalistic standards and strongest reporting and writing skills to keep regular readers coming back. Then, those web publishers can take that audience and market it to community advertisers, just like a tradition media outlet, like a newspaper, radio station or television station.
On the other hand, however, if online news content quality starts suffering, expect readership numbers to decline as well as advertising revenues.
The first step in developing a successful online or new media advertising revenue model is to build an audience. Why should it be any different than how traditional media stream revenue?
A print newspaper’s ad sales staff will present readership and subscription numbers and statistics to potential advertisers and a broadcast venue’s ad sales staff will present viewer and ratings numbers and statistics to potential advertisers. Both systems seemed to have worked pretty well in the past, right?
Web media should do the same. Editorial operators should be building web audiences to present to potential advertisers. It isn’t much different than old media. Actually, it’s exactly the same. When online news content quality starts improving, so will readership and ad sales revenue.
To make money, web publishers need to look to reporters and editors with the highest journalistic standards and strongest reporting and writing skills to keep regular readers coming back. Then, those web publishers can take that audience and market it to community advertisers, just like a tradition media outlet, like a newspaper, radio station or television station.
On the other hand, however, if online news content quality starts suffering, expect readership numbers to decline as well as advertising revenues.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Stop blowing up my Twitter!
By Matthew Boyle | mboyle@flagler.edu
I don’t need six tweets on Jan. 28 about Tom Manuel’s sentencing, all in one day.
I have certain Twitter Feeds texted to my cell phone. Normally, this allows me to keep up on the big breaking stories but, lately, I’ve found it to be quite annoying.
As the Co-Editor in Chief of The Gargoyle, the student newspaper of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., I follow the local daily newspaper, The St. Augustine Record on Twitter and have its tweets texted to my cell phone.
Whoever is running the Twitter account over there really needs to lay off the tweets. I’m glad your news organization is starting to incorporate social media, but I don’t need six tweets – which translate into texts for me – in one day about Tom Manuel.
Also, if you take anything from this post St. Augustine Record-Tweeter, make it: if you’re going to blow up your Twitter followers’ accounts and cell phones, it better be worth it, not old news that isn’t interesting anymore.
I’m seriously considering stopping following the St. Augustine Record’s Twitter.
Either tweet all your headlines, like we do at The Gargoyle, or tweet stories of interest. But, seriously, don’t turn off your social media followers as soon as you get them.
I don’t need six tweets on Jan. 28 about Tom Manuel’s sentencing, all in one day.
I have certain Twitter Feeds texted to my cell phone. Normally, this allows me to keep up on the big breaking stories but, lately, I’ve found it to be quite annoying.
As the Co-Editor in Chief of The Gargoyle, the student newspaper of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., I follow the local daily newspaper, The St. Augustine Record on Twitter and have its tweets texted to my cell phone.
Whoever is running the Twitter account over there really needs to lay off the tweets. I’m glad your news organization is starting to incorporate social media, but I don’t need six tweets – which translate into texts for me – in one day about Tom Manuel.
Also, if you take anything from this post St. Augustine Record-Tweeter, make it: if you’re going to blow up your Twitter followers’ accounts and cell phones, it better be worth it, not old news that isn’t interesting anymore.
I’m seriously considering stopping following the St. Augustine Record’s Twitter.
Either tweet all your headlines, like we do at The Gargoyle, or tweet stories of interest. But, seriously, don’t turn off your social media followers as soon as you get them.
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