Engaging Readers on Social Media

Collecting real examples of local news reporters and operations using social media to go beyond headlines and links to actually converse with readers. Send suggestions to @mjenkins.

Ask for and Share Tips
Traffic backed up? Snow moving in? Encourage readers to tweet these your way and share them when/if it makes sense.
Amanda Piccirilli @MandaPiccirilli
Did the snow this morning cause you any issues getting to work? Any accidents? How were others driving?
Tue, Nov 27 2012 09:28:12
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Marissa @MShackapopolis
@ARLnowDOTcom lights out at Glebe and Wilson intersection. Police directing traffic...good luck with that
Thu, Dec 06 2012 05:49:43
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Ask for and Share Photos
MercNews @mercnews
Are you buying your Christmas tree this weekend? We want to see it, decorated or not. Use hashtag #bangtree to tweet @mercnews your photos.
Fri, Dec 07 2012 14:08:19
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We love this! Thanks for sharing. RT @luvnlifendc: No caption needed @WaPoExpress my 3YO on his ride home... http://pic.twitter.com/i4SdO31o
Express @WaPoExpress
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Wed, Nov 28 2012 15:45:23
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Answer Questions
Blogger JDLand, who covers the news of the Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront area in Washington, D.C. takes questions from readers.
CitizenGerald @GC8527
@JDLand I like Harris Teeter and all, but how long do you think it'll be till we have a Whole Foods or at least Trader Joe's into the 'hood?
Thu, Nov 22 2012 10:19:12
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JDLand @JDLand
@GC8527 Good question. I don't doubt devs are trying to get WF/TJ to the 'hood, but nothing announced, then would take a few years.
Thu, Nov 22 2012 11:14:01
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Joe Reedy, who covers the NFL for the Cincinnati Enquirer, frequently takes questions from Bengals fans. Sometimes he answers them directly, other times he'll retweet the question with an answer.
bill brading @Partyman2009
@joereedy Any idea who they'll be sticking in Peermans spot on punts?
Fri, Dec 07 2012 11:00:09
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Joe Reedy @joereedy
@Partyman2009 Possibly Crocker
Fri, Dec 07 2012 11:02:18
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Joe Reedy @joereedy
RT @J_Whodey: @joereedy feel for how serious Gresham's injury is?>If you don't practice on Thursday, its not good
Thu, Dec 06 2012 13:43:21
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Start a Conversation
The Pottstown Mercury put this up on their Facebook page during a recent snowfall. This post garnered 55+ comments from readers.
Weather reports are saying the snow will turn to rain and then back to snow later today. We are working on a story about the weather, do you think schools should let out students early?
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Tue, Nov 27 2012 07:05:44
The Mercury had several other posts the same day that received a lot of engagement from readers surrounding the weather.
It doesn't have to be a busy news day to start a conversation with readers. Ask about their day, their commutes, what they're reading, their weekend plans, etc.
Life Clubs @LifeClubs
whats the best thing that happened to you today @CityWestminster ? #mybestthingtoday
Thu, Dec 06 2012 06:56:18
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Combine Efforts
I wouldn't recommend the misuse of punctuation marks and hashtags, but the idea behind this tweet from Washington, D.C. area TV station WUSA is a good one.
wusa9 @wusa9
Hey #Tweeps do you have a great photo that you took today? Tweet it to us and we' might name it "Photo of the Day" on Fbook!
Tue, Nov 27 2012 10:18:28
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You can combine visuals and questions to great effect. When the San Jose Mercury News posted this image of Sergio Romo at the victory parade for the Giants' World Series win and asked what readers thought of it, they got quite a bit of response: More than 4,000 likes, 91 shares and 400 comments.