'New' Twitter Takes on Facebook Elements

Twitter's launch of 'new' Twitter allows for expansion that will develop essential

components to compete with Facebook and third-party platforms.

Many features added into Twitter are components that most have seen in Facebook. Although these features aren't new to the social medias, Twitter obtains the features while still maintaining the Twitter 'feel.'

The new Twitter layout consists of the original left column where Tweets are posted along with new features that include maps of geo-locations tagged tweets, embedded photos, and video.

Now that these tools are provided, many journalists can use Twitter to its fullest potential. Before updates to Twitter, one way to get information out was through links. Now the newer version allows for video and pictures creating a community on the Twitter page as oppose to leaving the Twitter page to obtain information.

The new improved layout for Twitter was released September 14th, 2010 and will be reaching everyone soon.

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Creating Better Video

In a recent post, Jeff Achen, interactive media specialist for the Minnesota Community Foundation, gave ideas on how to produced quality video. In his three-part series, Achen listed three keys to creating better video: technique, planning and publishing. The focus of this post was publishing, which is the variety of platforms you use to reach your audience.

Achen wrote that "video publishing is about more than just posting your video. It's about making it embeddable, subscribable and mobile." He then offered tips on how to utilize video publishing efficiently:

• Know the current trends in digital video distribution. Today, people use the web, Internet-enabled TVs and mobile devices, such as smart phones and iPods.


• Know which distribution tools will help you which your audience via the channels mentioned above.
  
• Due to its popularity and success, it is important to have a strong presence on YouTube.
  
• Make your video mobile. This means a couple of things. First, set up hyperlinks to your video in order to direct your audience there. Second, your video must be embeddable so others can share it o their own sites. Lastly, your video must be downloadable.


• You can also "livestream" your video by broadcasting live events directly to the web.

These are all very important ideas to keep in mind when creating news videos. You could also use social media platforms to help increase viewership of your video.

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