Read on Twitter
"Should I leave Twitter?"
The answer for journos is NO.
More like HELL NO.
Several of my younger mentees appear to struggle with balancing social media (Twitter especially) with work & it has increased lately.
Some suggestions I routinely give are in the next tweet.
The answer for journos is NO.
More like HELL NO.
Several of my younger mentees appear to struggle with balancing social media (Twitter especially) with work & it has increased lately.
Some suggestions I routinely give are in the next tweet.
1. You need Twitter for work, but it must NEVER affect work.
You shouldn't fully leave Twitter, but you must leave it when the writing, interviewing needs doing.
Why linger? Twitter can give you viewpoints to breaking stories as you write, not just sources.
You shouldn't fully leave Twitter, but you must leave it when the writing, interviewing needs doing.
Why linger? Twitter can give you viewpoints to breaking stories as you write, not just sources.
2. Twitter must be looked as a MEANS, not an end.
You have to be able to use Twitter, not let Twitter use you. Be deliberate in how you use the search-bar to find insights and what you write as tweets.
E.g During the early days of pandemic, I routinely found stories by...
You have to be able to use Twitter, not let Twitter use you. Be deliberate in how you use the search-bar to find insights and what you write as tweets.
E.g During the early days of pandemic, I routinely found stories by...
... searching for "Nigeria webinar." It gave me posters of webinars & I simply picked off the newsmakers and advised colleagues to interview them, as opposed to spending Internet data and time to be in a webinar where tons of other journalists were.
Hint: This tip still works
Hint: This tip still works
3. You have to realise that Twitter is not your father's house.
Jack can close his shop any focking time. See what is also happening with how Instagram is using Tunde Ednut's blokos to make panini sandwich.
So, do not put that much energy here. Facts! Save the main energy.
Jack can close his shop any focking time. See what is also happening with how Instagram is using Tunde Ednut's blokos to make panini sandwich.
So, do not put that much energy here. Facts! Save the main energy.
3b. Take breaks from Twitter - best for your peace of mind & craft, please. The work that actually pays journalists, is not often on Twitter, and needs to come first.
Once I "leave" for work, whatever I missed on Twitter has been missed.
It is FOMO that makes folks get addicted.
Once I "leave" for work, whatever I missed on Twitter has been missed.
It is FOMO that makes folks get addicted.
4. You have to realise that Twitter is not anyone else's father's house. Yes.
Do not let any1 dictate what you write on your own account - only the law, bounds of decency, informed opinion& your conscience should dictate, not random weirdos.
Strengthen your mental middle finger.
Do not let any1 dictate what you write on your own account - only the law, bounds of decency, informed opinion& your conscience should dictate, not random weirdos.
Strengthen your mental middle finger.
