social media reporter training session

I’ve been selected as

a

social media reporter

So, Now What?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I’ve been selected as

a

social media reporter


Christina Carew @christinacarew

M: [email protected]

Meet Your Team Lead


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Today We’ll CoverHow Social Media is going to change the Canada Games

How to be a kickass Social Media/Blog Squad Reporter

The Day in the Life of a Social Media Reporter

Making Solutions (to problems we didn’t know we had)


Social Media Will Change ALL Games

First ‘games’ to harness the power of social media (and social media volunteer reporters)

Participants, spectators and volunteers can share their stories and converse together

Live reporting -- will be faster than onsite media


Our Tools

Blog xWednesday, January 19, 2011

Canada Games Live Pages


HashtagsHashtags have been created for each sport and arts event

Use the hashtag to tag your posts, and push them live on the linked Canada Games page

Media will also be following the hashtags to find great stories

Hashtag list in your social media tool kit


Day in the Life of a Social Media Reporter


Your Schedule

Each Social Media volunteer has been assigned approximately 24 hours based on indicated availability

You can volunteer for more than 24 hours by picking up shifts, or attending events throughout the games

All you need to do is let Christina know your going to be there (via email, DM on twitter, text), so I can make sure we don’t have 25 ppl on site, and that someone doesn’t kick you out


Transportation

Metro Transit is free with Accreditation Badge, routes are all listed in your volunteer guide that you get when you pick up your uniform

Parking at Venues will be limited. If you’re driving take an extra shot of patience with you.

We are working with the other communications folks (photographers, media centre volunteers) to figure out some carpool options to Ski Martock and Ski Wentworth. If you need this, sign up!


Accreditation AccessWearing your uniform and your accreditation pass will get you into the venues

You will NOT have seat assigned to you, but will have access to media areas such as: The Media Centre, Mixed Zone, Photo Zone and any Media areas in the front and back of house.

The Media Centre on site at each venue will let you know what you have access to.


Can I Bring a Friend?

Take your friends and family with you and still do your social media reporting, however, they won’t have the same access as you!

Activities are: Free, Ticketed or Pass Required. A complete list is available on the Canada Games website as well as on your Social Media Reporter Toolkit Disk.


Checking InWhen you get to any venue or sport you are volunteering at, you must check in with the Media Centre.

The Media Centre Team will let you know about: Access Areas, Themes, What’s Happening...


Theme of the Day

Story ideas and themes shared each day with the social media reporters and traditional reporters


Role of the Media CentreMedia servicing volunteers

Photo zones and mixed media zones

Venue media room and Media Centre (Atlantica)

Interview coordination, themes, sharing information on what is happening


You are still a volunteer...Only Canada Games staff are official spokepersons on behalf of the games

Provide your opinion, however, not as a ‘games’ staff member but as a patron of the games

Direct reporters to the media centre to have them arrange an interview with the official spokespeople

Provide factual background information (web, handbooks, etc.)

Don’t guess. Ask someone else or offer to look it up.


What Do I Need to Do While I Am Onsite?

Post from your Twitter Account

Take photos and video and upload them to Flickr and YouTube

Interview athletes (arrange with media centre)

Write a blog or two (access password to follow)

Don’t forget to TAG EVERYTHING with the provided hashtags


Social Media ReporterVolunteer Tool Kit

Schedule Draft 3

Hashtag list

Venue/Media Centre Information

Disk also contains: games schedule, information about each sport, ticket guide, social media tags and venue/media centre


EquipmentFlip video cameras are available for sign out at the Media Center locations noted on the venues page in your SMToolKit

Please bring as much of your own equipment as you can...digital cameras, cell phones, etc.

Computer access for uploads, and blog postings onsite in the media centre


Some Other Details...Light snacks are provided in the volunteer centre during various shifts

Please bring your lunch/snacks with you

Always wear your uniform when you are volunteering and when you are wearing your accreditation badge

Take a break when you need one, however, keep in mind you may be the only social media reporter at your event so try to do so when there is a natural break in the event


Twitter Tips


Tiny URLURL-shortening sites like TinyUrl, bit.ly and Tinycc come in extremely handy when you're recommending links and still have something to say about it (which you should - never drop blind links).

Paste the long domain and the site will convert it into a 25-characters-or-less shortened link.

Great way to share photos, blogs, etc.

http://www.canadagames2011.ca/en/home/sportsvenues/sports/biathlon.aspx

http://bit.ly/bxP8mS


http://www.tinyurl.com/

http://www.tinyurl.com/

http://www.tiny.cc/

http://www.tiny.cc/





How Do I Make My Tweets, RE-Tweetable?

Someone can’t retweet you if you take up all 140 characters, add up the number of characters in your twitter handle, and add 5 characters. Subtract that number from 140. That’s how many characters you have to work with.

140 - # of characters in Twitter Name - 5 = maximum tweet length for retweeting


Adding a Photo

Set-up your account

Add photos online or with an email


Social Media Reporter are Problem Solvers


What do I do if? I want to book an interview with an athlete?

I need a carpool to Ski Wentworth or Ski Martock?

I’m sick?

It starts to rain or snow?

I forget my equipment?

I want to go to an activity I haven’t signed up for?

Someone isn’t letting me into the media area?


What do I do if?I want to talk to an athlete and they only speak French (and I don’t)?

There is a serious injury or mishap at the event that may not reflect favourable on Canada Games?

How will I know if something extraordinary happens -- like a Games record is broken?

I want to get something on the Canada Games Facebook page?


What’s Next?Sign up to follow the games on Twitter @2011CanadaGames (great for updates, weather reports, delay of game, etc)

Share your social media handles with the team

Complete volunteer training, get your uniform, check your schedule

Start playing around with the tools to get used to them

Have FUN!


Remember when your sharing you want to make your Mom proud (and everyone else’s Mom too).


Questions?


social media reporter training session

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