You are here : Are Social Networks The New Newspaper?
Last week my state’s largest daily newspaper, The Hartford Courant, (it also bils itself as ”America’s oldest continuously published newspaper“) took a gigantic digital step forward into the future. It created a Facebook page and begun inviting “fans” to join. This week the paper took another big digital step forward and created its own Tweeter feed. Hooray for them.
While there are still a number of print Neanderthals around who want to block online content from readers, the Courant and a (slow) growing number of media outlets have figured out that the best way to get people to visit their news sites is to meet them on the social networking playground.
“Social networking sites such as Facebook are where many people start the day for news about their friends and colleagues and, as such, it’s the perfect interface for news sites,” says Quinnipiac University Journalism Professor Richard Hanley.
The Courant brags that 800,000 people read the Courant via the newspaper and online. So, far – as of this blog post “only”192 Facebook users have become Courant Facebook fans. By comparison The New York Times Facebook site has 357,678 fans.
The Courant’s current low fan base probably has more to do with little to no promotion in the paper or the main Courant website that readers can now check them out on the social networking powerhouse. Talk about a soft product launch!
So what are the advantages of news organizations jumping on Facebook? ” Facebook is the “newspaper” for many people,”
Richard Hanley, Quinnipiac University
says Hanley. ”It is much more powerful than the traditional newspaper because it incorporates news about friends and family into an interface where more traditional news can be posted. I’ve seen the future of newspapers, and it is Facebook.
The obvious goal for a news organization on Facebook is to drive traffic back to its site. What are some other potential positive outcomes:
The Cool Factor:
When it comes to the web these days there are few things hotter than social networks. It seems like EVERYBODY is using Facebook, Linkedin or some other social networking tool. The news media would be crazy if they didn’t try and tap into the “current cool factor.”
News Gathering Tool:
There are literally millions of stories on social networking sites waiting to be told. Reporters shouldn’t be afraid to engage, dig in and tell these stories.
Not All Facebook Sites Are Created Equally:
One word of advice if a news outlet decides to launch a Facebook page; make sure there is news worth reading on the site. Some don’t (see below) The Hartford Courant has done that successfully with its Facebook page. In fact, I would argue that its Facebook page is easier to navigate AND agregate news than its official news website. Why? One reason is that you can actually syndicate news feeds via RSS on Facebook. RSS is not available for most news items on Courant.com.
Here’s a list of the nation’s top newspapers and how/if they have set up Facebook groups.
USA TODAY – NO OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PROFILE
WALL STREET JOURNAL: Not even sure if this is the “official” Wall Street Journal Facebook profile. Doesn’t display updated news like other Facebook fan groups
NEW YORK TIMES: Circulation: 1,121,623 New York Times gets it! 358,459 Facebook fans seem to agree.
LA TIMES Circulation: 907,997 1,265 Facebook fans
WASHINGTON POST Circulation: 740,947. 954 Facebook fans
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Circulation: 708,773 NO OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PROFILE
NEW YORK POST Circulation: 565,679. 718 Facebook fans. Doesn’t provide news feeds.
NEWSDAY Circulation: 527,744. 254 Facebook fans. Offers instant updates on your Facebook feed from Newsday on your Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device. (Newsday also includes Twitter links to all of the pro sports teams, politics and top headlines.
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Circulation: 477,493 No Facebook profile
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Tim Tracey
February 17th, 2009 at 4:37 am
The oldest example of mass media in the US, The Courant is a natural fit for social media. Through Hartford’s history it was sold and consumed in the community. In a way it was the community.
It was everywhere people were – available for purchase on every corner, generously distributed around barber shops, diners, offices, trains, buses – the most popular and frequent conversation starter.
It was the prime spot for job listings, real estate purchasing and classifieds.
At home it was delivered morning and evening (remember The Hartford Times) and found on kitchen tables and in stacks next to dad’s favorite chair. Perhaps agreeing on little else, the generations would hash over the box scores, Dear Abby and upcoming white sales.
A Courant route was reason for pride and income for the disciplined, early rising pre-teen and high schooler. Courant delivery routes were coveted and accompanied by more exciting pre-dawn . heavier
It was marked up, folded up, circled, scissored and spread out for the puppy or the parrot. Even spread in the garden. Every inch was useful.
But there have been several partings of the ways between The Courant and its readers. Now easy, immediate access to opposing political views is available. Social media and its user generated content provides what single editorial boards and 3AM press runs can’t.
As the community increasingly incorporates digital media and online news it will be interesting if The Courant will find its audience and its voice there.
N'
March 6th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
The courant and other new sites should take another big digital step over to http://www.ctgrapevines.com, the rising niche portal and social networking site serving local communities throughout Connecticut. CTGrapevines.com is an online advertising service that enables local businesses to reach local customers. The Grapevine Communities integrates content in business, church, school, and community with social networking and shopping tools while bringing local advertising to local customers. The Grapevine Communities, like Facebook, will be the local hub where many people will go to start their day for news about their friends and colleagues and, as such, is also a perfect interface for news sites.