Posts Tagged social media
TBD and Foursquare offer a guide to DC dining
Posted by Mandy Jenkins in social media on July 30, 2010
You’ve seen on us Twitter, Facebook and Flickr – now TBD’s infiltrating Foursquare.
Don’t worry, we aren’t stalking you – we just want to help make social media work a little harder for you.
Yeah, that’s right – Foursquare and work. It isn’t JUST a game.
In addition to the never-ending quest to earn badges and mayorships, Foursquare gives users a unique opportunity to share and access information about the places they visit.
Imagine checking in at a restaurant you’ve never been to only to find all the info you need right on your phone in the form of user tips. One person recommends a dish that isn’t on the menu (“but they’ll make it if you ask”), another informs you there’s another ladies room in the basement. Handy info, right?
We’d like to think so. That’s why TBD is teaming up with Foursquare and our network of 100+ community partners to bring you tips on local dining and attractions as you wander the DMV.
Become friends with us on Foursquare and you can get help with your order from the hungry bloggers of Dining in DC, Metrocurean, Capitol Bites and more of our partners. If you want more info, click on the link in the tip to see the full review on the blog.
You find out to avoid the fish at Cafe So-and-So and some deserving local bloggers get new readers coming to their sites. Everybody wins.
Aside from dining tips, we have a lot more we want to do with Foursquare once we get this thing launched. If you’re currently a member, follow us. If you’re not, well, we’ll understand.
Taking it to the streets with public office hours
Posted by Mandy Jenkins in Events on July 19, 2010
Remember when you were a kid and your mom would chide you to “Go outside and play with your friends”? She knew it wasn’t good for you to spend all of your time in front of a TV or computer – and we feel the same way here at TBD.
Interacting with readers, sources and community partners will be part of what we do every day – though usually through Twitter, blog posts, chats and the like. We understand that to really be part of the community is to be IN the community – as in, not staring at a glowing rectangle from our desks at TBDHQ.
With that in mind, we are starting public “office hours” where you can informally meet up with TBD staff to share your ideas, feedback, criticism or just some company over coffee.
Here’s how it’ll work. TBD staffers will tweet out when and where they’ll be working outside the office. If you’re in the area or want to escape from the office for a little while, stop by the location and look for the TBD logo. Pull up a chair and chat for awhile.
We’ll kick this off tomorrow morning at Java House near Dupont Circle, where Lisa Rowan and I will be working from 10 to noon or so. I hope you can come by and say hello.
We get that you can’t always get away during work hours, so we’ll still be holding regular happy hour meet-ups and tweetups. Stay tuned for those event announcements on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
We hope to meet you – in person! – soon.
- Mandy Jenkins
Jeff Pulver discusses the “State of Now” and announces new site to “donate” Tweets
Posted by Lisa Rowan in Events on June 15, 2010
Jeff Pulver’s passion for connecting with people started on CB radio as a child. Pulver was fascinated by the instant friendships that developed over the airwaves. Those exchanges that filled his free time as a teenager deserve a lot of credit for developing Pulver’s social media smarts.
On the anniversary of the first 140 Characters Conference in New York, Pulver reflected on the “state of now,” the realtime internet that has become a part of our daily lives. But while it feels powerful to be able to speak out at will on a variety of topics (from policy to breakfast), engagement is more than just speaking.
During his DC Week session, the new tech expert noted four essential elements of successful interaction: listen, connect, share, and engage. “Numbers get you attention,” Pulver said, referring to Twitter followers, “But it’s what you do with the attention that matters.” Instead of focusing on analytics, he urged the audience to focus on people.
The individual people connecting online are now affecting change. The tools available are the catalysts, leading to discoveries that everyone has the ability to cause change.
Near the conclusion of the talk, Pulver announced the launch of JustCoz.org, a platform that will allow users to “donate” their tweets to a cause they’re passionate about. JustCoz.org is free for both the organizations and the users who may not have the means to donate money to all their favorite causes.
But in the increasingly connected world, we risk becoming hyperconnected. The inability to disconnect or filter the overwhelming amount of information available will cause suffering beyond the notorious Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. “Take a hard look at how you connect and communicate,” Pulver advised. By beginning to filter our communication streams, we can make the most of the “now media moments” that Pulver said can really affect change.
We took some shaky video– check it out:
Live (Sort of) from DC Week: Traditional and Social Media Coming Together
Posted by Lisa Rowan in Events on June 15, 2010
USA TODAY's Brian Dresher, NPR's Andy Carvin, and moderator Carlos Roig
It may be difficult to imagine a tie between National Geographic and Aviation Week. But together with USA Today and NPR, these media organizations are using social media tools to revitalize relationships with their readers.
The Social and Traditional Media panel, hosted by USA TODAY, drew an audience of more than a hundred to hear about the trials and errors made by those who can be considered pioneers in social media.
Adapting to and adopting social media tools involves a cultural shift for many organizations. Brian Dresher, manager of social media and digital partnerships for USA TODAY, explained that journalistic standards have to be flexible to fit into the more casual environment on Facebook or Twitter. “It’s like going to a party,” he said. “You have to dress up for that party.”
Another aspect of the shift is the audience itself. Andy Carvin, senior strategist for NPR’s Social Media Desk, recalled times when volunteers have stepped in to assist in producing content for big stories. “We’ve tried to create an atmosphere where it’s okay to ask for help from the public,” Carvin said.Through volunteering, listeners and collaborators can build relationships with NPR and perform “serious public service” with their skills or talents.
Further, Carvin shies away from referring to ‘audiences.’ “It’s a community,” he corrected. “’Audience’ is too passive.”
For an organization that works on a longer editorial calendar, Robert Michael Murray, vice president of Social Media for National Geographic, said that social media progress can come in “fits and spurts.” But progress in social media is a part of what Murray referred to as a “larger ecosystem.” “It’s a crowded landscape, a crowded mediascape,” he said. “We have to make sure we become embedded in [the reader’s] lifestyle.”
The panelists seemed to agree that social media involvement is a long-term investment. Dresher explained a term used at USA TODAY: ROIII. “Return on Interaction, Influence, and Investment” signifies a shift away from the instant gratification of traffic and instead toward a greater experience for those interacting with the newspaper online.
It may be those increasingly flexible journalistic standards that drive organizations to embrace social media for the benefit of readers and users. “People are fanatical about our niche and we have a responsibility to get that information out to people,” Benet Wilson, online managing editor for Aviation Week, said. Filling that responsibility can cause fear for those who may be unfamiliar with the tools available. Wilson recommended asking for help, even if it means going outside your own organization to find it. “Start with one thing,” she advised. “It rolls from there.”
Find TBD at DC Week
Posted by Mandy Jenkins in Events on June 11, 2010
Timing is everything, or so they say, so it seems fitting for Digital Capital Week to be going on right as TBD is preparing for its summer launch.
The festival kicks off tonight and runs through next weekend. There will be events all over the city — including one hosted by TBD on Saturday — and our staff will be attending quite a few of these to watch and learn from the best DC has to offer.
Here are our top picks from the DC Week schedule. You’re likely to see one of us at these events, if not all of us! If you want to meet up with us (in person, even!) at these events, please let us know. We’re always eager to hear your ideas and take your questions. If nothing else, we’ll probably be tweeting like crazy, so keep an eye on us and the #dcweek hashtag.
Tonight!
Opening party at Long View Gallery. If you don’t already have a ticket, act fast; if you plan to buy at the door, prepare for a long line and risk the chance of not getting in at all. We’ll be packing the gallery and alley to see all the fun performances on tap.
Saturday
TBD Brunch at Mie N Yu. (What, you didn’t expect us to plug our own event??) We’re welcoming the DC Week crowd by merging one of our blogger meetups with a fun brunch. Meet and greet with your favorite new media types, eat, and be merry. We’ll have information about our upcoming blog network, too.
Monday
Mediabistro and Social Times cocktail party at Skye Lounge. We just can’t stop socializing.
Tuesday
Time to get down to business. Tuesday’s got a powerful lineup of panels and speakers, so look for us at the following:
Social and Traditional Media Panel. Learn about the hows and whys of traditional media’s adoption of social media tools. Speakers include Brian Dresher, who leads social media efforts for USA TODAY.
The State of Now with Jeff Pulver. How does social media impact the news? TV-on-the-Internet expert Jeff Pulver breaks it down for us.
Both of the above sessions, held at the National Geographic Society, are sold out, so get on the wait list in a hurry.
Online Engagement for Sustainable Urban Mobility. “Getting there” is likely to be a hot topic in this area for generations to come. We’ll be learning about how online tools can improve transportation and urban planning.
Wednesday
Transparency on the Social Web. This panel, a part of Gov and Org 2.0 day, will discuss the ways in which online engagement and social media intersect with government. Facebook account-wielding future politicians will want to get the scoop before starting their campaigns!
Social Media 202: an advanced discussion in online community building. Looking to build your brand online? This is the place to learn how.
Ignite DC. To be honest, we’re not sure what to expect. But it looks like a fun mix of art, technology, and improv. We like when things blend together like that.
Thursday
#140conf DC. A fast-paced, lively look at how Twitter activity can impact everything from literacy to live sporting events. If a ticket is out of your budget, you might be able to catch it streaming online.
TECH Cocktail DC. We’ll have a table at this event that highlights emerging startups. It connects techies, entrepreneurs, bloggers and more—and it’ll connect you to us if you come visit!
Friday
When Failure and Criticism are Public. Our lives — including our careers — are hosted online. What happens when something goes wrong? Time to find out.
Advertising: For the People, by the People. Crowdsourcing + advertising + social media. Get the ideas flowing here.
Saturday
techARTS Closing Party. Area music fans chose the local bands that will be closing out the week with a late-night party at perennial favorite 9:30 Club. You won’t be able to hear all the new friends you made over the course of the week, so stick to dancing and rocking out. We won’t criticize your dance skills. Promise.
See you there!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why not have it with us?
Posted by Lisa Rowan in Events on May 28, 2010
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been inviting bloggers to meet with us at informal sessions around the area from Barracks Row, to Takoma Park and Clarendon. It’s inspiring to talk shop with passionate writers and creators who care about their communities, and it’s always fun to chat over a beer or two.
But it’s about time we let more people in on the secret.
To help kick off Digital Capital Week , we’d like to invite you to meet us for brunch at Mie N Yu on June 12 at 11 a.m. Bloggers, local news junkies, aspiring journalists, neighborhood activists, social media fans, you’re all invited! Learn more about our blogger network and enjoy a delicious brunch…and maybe a mimosa or two. Please RSVP before we run out of space—we can only meet so many of you at once!
See you at the pancakes!
EDIT 6/1, 9:15 a.m.: Holy moly, folks! We’re out of tickets already, despite our announcement just before the holiday weekend. Either you guys are really hungry, or you’re really excited. I’m sort of hoping for both.
If you’re a blogger who wanted to attend but missed out on the RSVP, let us know.
How to get a job at TBD, or someplace like it
Posted by ctouhey in Uncategorized on May 21, 2010
Steve Buttry, TBD’s Director of Community Engagement, has some tips on landing your next job in digital journalism.
Talk to TBD on The Internets
Posted by Mandy Jenkins in Crowdsourcing on May 14, 2010
If you’re a blogger or Twitterer in D.C., Northern Virginia or Maryland and you’ve gotten indication some weirdo is following you — that’s probably me. I promise I am not a stalker (at least not right now). Instead, consider me an alien looking to learn your ways and language.
In my first week on the job here at TBD, I’ve found being the social media producer for a website that doesn’t yet exist in a city that doesn’t know you is pretty daunting (whodathunkit?). I’m the new kid in school, lurking invisibly in your hallways and avoiding wedgies.
It’s an odd reversal. I moved here from Cincinnati, OH, where I felt confident in my place in the local Twittersphere. I knew a lot of people and they knew me — from the Twitterati types in the local bar scene to the media hounds and PR flacks, I was virtually surrounded by potential sources and tipsters. Now I’m starting over — and that takes time and plenty of cooperation.
If you’re interested in what you’ve heard about TBD so far, let’s start talking. Get your say in on what you want out of TBD — I’m all ears (or, I guess…eyes?).
I want to hear about your social media circle – what you like, what you can’t stand and what you want out of all those stolen moments you log on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare. Tell me what kind of tools, mobile apps or info you wish you were getting — and we’ll see what we can do to fix the problem. Share your favorite people, blogs and tweetups — and I’ll check them out.
For my part, I’ll keep you up to speed on what we’re doing here — and make sure you’re the first to know when we’re rolling out new stuff (like the TBD official Twitter account – coming soon to a Tweetdeck near you). I’ll try my best to answer your questions about what we’re planning — or anything else you might care to wonder.
If at any point you randomly have an idea, complaint or tip you want to be sure we hear about, you can always just drop #heytbd in a tweet to shout it out to the world.