A 2010 survey of US journalists’ use of social media found nearly 70% of those surveyed were using social networking sites to assist reporting, a 28% increase since 2008. Other top findings in the survey, announced last week:
48% of journalists were using Twitter or other microblogging sites and tools, a 25% increase since 2008
66% were reading blogs
48% were viewing videos online
25% were listening to podcasts
Nearly 80% of the journalists surveyed believed that bloggers have become important opinion-shapers in recent years.
91% of journalists agreed that new media and communications tools and technologies are enhancing journalism to some extent.
A total of 341 journalists participated in the “Survey of Media in the Wired World,” which was conducted last December by the Society for New Communications Research, http://sncr.org.
“This study indicates there is now a large and growing percentage of journalists who view social media and the participation by the public in the journalistic process to be a necessary, and in most cases, positive step in the evolution of journalism,” said Jen McClure, founder and president, Society for New Communications Research.
“They understand the future of journalism to be a highly participatory, collaborative and dynamic process.” Alert communicators can think of ways to make their social media activities relevant to journalists.
While use of social media rise, magazine sales languish
US magazine newsstand and subscription sales continue to plunge.
Sales of 472 consumer titles in the second half of 2009 dropped by 9.1% compared with the same period in 2008, which followed an 11.1% decline in the second half of 2007, according to official figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
The top 25 magazines recorded some of the biggest hits. Good Housekeeping was down 31% to 395,000, Reader’s Digest fell 13% to 7.1 million, Prevention declined by 13% to 2.9 million, TV Guide Magazine fell by 25% to 2.4 million. Business and public affairs mags suffered badly: Newsweek dropped by 41% to 62,000 and Time was down 35% to 90,000.
On the positive side, Rodale’s Women’s Health rose 21% to 1.45 million, Disney magazine FamilyFun rose 16% to 2.2 million circulation and Time Inc.’s People StyleWatch rose 8% to 803,000.
How to work with a micro-manager
When times are tough, managers get anxious about ensuring their area continues to be productive. As a result, some tend to turn to micro-managing in their area, adding to the ranks of those who already can’t bring themselves to delegate. This causes immense frustration to employees because it actually cuts productivity. Some useful responses to micro-management:
Flood the boss with information. Bury them with paperwork so they don’t have time to look over your shoulder.
Establish priorities. Micro-managers are often poor at prioritizing. They treat trivia as just as important as vital activities. Best response is to take the initiative: discuss with the boss the reality that you can’t do everything at once and need to prioritize tasks. Then offer a prioritized list rather than expect the boss to be able to do it.
Stick to deadlines. Once you have agreed on priorities with your boss, honor the deadlines on the important tasks.
Observe. Some people are more successful than others in getting a micro-managing boss to back off. Learn why they succeed and emulate their technique.
Let me know at kimharrison@cuttingedgepr.com if you have any further suggestions!
Getting there…
I’m making progress with the Palgrave Macmillan edition of my book, Strategic Public Relations, but I don’t think it will be out until towards the end of the year. The production process takes six months. Have written 400 pages so far out of about 700 pages. It’s a demanding process and unfortunately there aren’t many short cuts. Nose to the grindstone for another couple of months!
Until next time,
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