6 Ways Sports Journalists are Growing Audiences with Social Media
Social media platforms, like Twitter, are a great way for sports journalists to engage with readers and come up with story ideas.
Today, having a strong presence on social media is an integral part of being a stand-out journalist.
There are several ways sports journalists use social media to engage with their audience. Here’s a look at some of the current trends.
1. Social media screenshots in stories
One of the best ways to get a scoop on a story and lure readers in is by including information directly from the source. Some of the most popular athletes in the world (e.g. LeBron James, Aaron Rodgers) use social media on a regular basis to give journalists and fans inside access into their lives.
Journalists also will use social media screengrabs from fellow industry journalists in their stories to help give another point of view.
In this example, the author uses a screengrab from director Spike Lee to help tell the story of a rally for NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick.
https://twitter.com/SpikeLee/status/894905182353592321
2. Social media comments in stories
Journalists often post opinionated questions on social media to help engage with their readers. They sometimes use those answers and comments as direct quotes.
In this article, Ashley Petty of TheBillsWire asked her Twitter followers what they’re most excited to see from the Buffalo Bills in the upcoming season. She used several responses to the question directly in her story.
https://twitter.com/RWJ22/status/890192441088905219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fbillswire.usatoday.com%2F2017%2F08%2F10%2Fbills-fans-tweet-about-why-theyre-excited-for-the-2017-season%2F
3. Facebook Live
Several prominent sports journalists use live video to interact with their audience. Facebook is quickly becoming the go-to platform for live streaming sporting events and discussion around athletes and teams.
The viewer can type out questions/comments for the journalist to respond to in live time.
Some of the more popular topics for these sessions include live shows and games, glimpses of behind-the-scenes action, game recaps, and Q&As.
4. Instagram Stories
Instagram is quickly becoming a prominent place for sports recaps and highlights by journalists.
With the slideshow feature, ability to do different sized posts, and Instagram Stories, media have a lot of flexibility to create shareable posts that can reach far wider than their direct following.
The platform makes for an interesting and attractive linear narrative — whether sharing videos or photo highlights.
5. Twitter Q&As
Sports journalists often take time out of their day to answer a variety of questions readers may have about the team or sport they cover. It’s common for the journalist to post something along the lines of “Top 10 Q&A. Leave your comment, and I’ll answer ten questions.”
Odds are an engaging journalist on Twitter will quickly grow a strong following, which leads to more views for their stories.
Sports Q: Who is the second-best quarterback in Patriots history? https://t.co/YVfQpRVu32
— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) August 4, 2017
6. Entertaining GIFs
GIFs are a great way for journalists to engage with their audience with humorous pop culture references. Leading up to the solar eclipse that occurred on Aug. 21, SB Nation posted several funny GIFs with the hashtag #SportsEclipse.
#SportsEclipse pic.twitter.com/sBBRU3Of4h
— SB Nation (@SBNation) August 21, 2017
Subscribe to Beyond Bylines to get media trends, journalist interviews, blogger profiles, and more sent right to your inbox.
[blog_subscription_form]
Anthony Vence is a Customer Content Specialist at PR Newswire. He contributes to @PRNmedia and previously worked in the newspaper industry as a news and sports editor. He also works as a freelance photographer.
So interesting!! I didn’t know these things…thanks for posting! Please keep it up
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
very informative articles or reviews at this time.