Sharing community wisdomCrowdsourcing to engage the community

and elevate journalism

Steve ButtryThe Register Citizen

June 6, 2011

Read more about it• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• #crowdtips

Why crowdsource?• It saves time• Connecting with sources has always been

one of a journalist’s most important jobs• You bring more voices to your news

reports• You engage the community

Set the stage• Build engaged community (follow

people, converse with them)• Use multiple platforms (Twitter,

Facebook, website, blog, newspaper, IRL)• Do the groundwork (don’t expect the

public to do your job; invite them to tell their stories)

Crowdsourcing tips• Say what you know• Say what you want to know• Say what you don’t know• Say what you need to know• Don’t spread rumors• Vet sources & information

Throughout the process• Seek story ideas & tips• Ask questions as you gather info• Share data with community• Ask public to continue the conversation

Varying situations• Investigations

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Varying situations• Investigations• Breaking news

@statesman case study

Crowdsource

Crowdsource

Say what you don’t know

Varying situations• Investigations• Breaking news• Annual, seasonal stories• Community info• Crowdmaps• Supplement staff work• Seek photos

Your next story

Discuss crowdsourcing approaches for a story you (or your staff) will be working on

this week.

Read more about it• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• #crowdtips