In a recent post, Rob Engelsman talked about using students to create “authentic content” through social media. Indeed, this can be one of the greatest benefits of social media content. It's often raw and unfiltered (or less filtered). It's “authentic.” However, authentic content is not reserved for social media. In fact, all content should be authentic. But why is authenticity good for content? What does “authentic content” mean and how do … [Read more...]
Creating a Student Social Media Army at Ithaca College
April 3, 2013 by
The following guest post was written by Rob Engelsman, multimedia content specialist at Ithaca College. For me, one of the best parts of higher ed is getting to work with students. Involving them in your social media efforts to create authentic content is a huge advantage — just ask Amy Grace Wells from Texas A&M AgriLife Communication. Good authentic content can increase engagement and build community, which is why I try to create as much … [Read more...]
Mine Your Archives for Content Gold
March 5, 2013 by
When considering how best to use social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook, we are often thinking in real-time. What are people talking about right now? How can we communicate the vitality of campus life? How can we be proactive listeners and responsive publishers? However, one of the most intriguing ways to use real-time platforms comes from looking into our past. Many institutions are finding that highlighting archival university … [Read more...]
Content Worksheets for Editorial Workflow
February 13, 2013 by
For web professionals in higher ed, keeping content up to date is an uphill battle. Regardless of the size of your institution, as a content professional you still have to deal with numerous subject matter experts, content contributors, editors, approvers, and publishers. Content has a shelf life, and without processes for maintaining it, it can quickly become ROT. Editorial workflow for the web is a challenge for day-to-day work, not to mention … [Read more...]
‘Snow Fall’ and Storytelling in Higher Ed
January 8, 2013 by
On Dec. 20, The New York Times wowed readers and industry peers alike with the publication of an interactive feature called “Snow Fall,” which told the story of a fatal avalanche in Washington’s Cascade Mountains this past February. It was not your ordinary multimedia feature. It brought words, pictures, video and interactive graphics together in a whole new way that had many hailing the project as a harbinger of the future of journalism. That … [Read more...]