Daniel Gross is currently a Towson journalism student and Towerlight news editor. He began using Twitter in 2008. (Photo: Daniel Gross)
Daniel Gross, Towson journalism student and Towerlight editor, has learned the importance of social media in journalism, and provides some information that every aspiring journalist should know.
When did you start using Twitter? Why?
I started using Twitter early 2008. I think it was the second semester of my freshman year of college. I started using it because I’ve always tried to stay up on the latest trends and technology associated with journalism and new media. i also started seeing more and more news organizations use Twitter so i figured it would be a great tool for networking.
How has using Twitter helped you as a student journalist?
Using Twitter has helped me out in more ways than I can count. For one, it’s created another channel to find sources and gather information for stories or assignments. i’ts also helped me by connecting me with other journalists to get feedback from stories or ask questions to others in the same field.
What’s the best way for other student journalists to build contacts and followers on Twitter?
The best way for other student journalists to find contacts and followers is to go on news Websites or any Web site of interest and find a “Follow on Twitter” widget for an easy link. You can also search on Twitter for names and organizations that you are familiar with and find their profiles on Twitter to start following. It is also a good idea to begin mentioning them in some of your “tweets” by using the @ symbol and then their twitter name. This begins a dialogue with them.
Did you expect Twitter (and other forms of social media) to help you with your future career?
Looking back to when I first became really involved in journalism, I hadn’t thought of Twitter or social media as a tool for work. But now that it is here in the present, I can’t imagine working without it. Right now, it is the fastest, most effective means of quick direct communication. Before social media came around, I figured every story would consist of man on the street interviews and finding phone numbers for contacts in the phone book.
Do you think it’s important for student journalists to start using Twitter and other forms of social media?
I definitely think it’s very important for every student journalist to begin using twitter and other forms of media. It is the best way to get your name out there as an established journalist. It is also great to start establishing relationships with fellow local and national journalists.
Follow Daniel on Twitter at: danieljgross
