subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Published: June 06, 2009 09:19 pm    print this story  

MARREN: Become a follower, make us your friend

By Tim Marren
E-mail Tim

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

This week started with great shock — nationally, internationally and very much locally. General Motors declared bankruptcy. Now, the shock wasn’t that great because everyone knew the auto company was struggling, but the official announcement really hit home for everyone, especially those who worked for GM or Delphi.

Who would have thought that in anyone’s lifetime, GM would be out of money?

Not even close to being as shocking — I wouldn’t attempt to make such a comparison — the Union-Sun & Journal started delivering news and information through Twitter and Facebook this week.

Who would have thought the announcement that Kitchen World— a Lockport icon — would be moving out of Lockport and into Amherst would hit your cell phone or Twitter account, even before the daily newspaper was rolling on the presses?

I never saw it coming, and I’m younger than a lot of our readers, who are probably reading this wondering what Twitter or Facebook are. I’ve grown up in a technology-happy world, yet I never would have figured cell phones, Web sites and newspapers would mesh.

For those still trying to catch up ... Twitter is a Web site that allows user to follow or be followed by other individuals or organizations. Basically it’s possible to keep people up to date on you or your company 24-7. Twitter allows for 140 characters per “tweet” update. Quick hit information, which actually works great for us, since we’re in the business of headlines.

We post headlines, with a link back to lockportjournal.com for the full story, and people can get the information right on their cell phone or at twitter.com/lockportjournal.

Facebook is basically the same idea, but that’s coming along a little slower than Twitter. As most of you know, Facebook — the social networking Web site that allows people all over the world to communicate — has many bells and whistles. Twitter is 140 characters, no photos or video, simple as that. Facebook has many, many applications.

All we’re looking to do is post story links, again, back to our Web site, and get some followers out of it.

The US&J isn’t the first to use Facebook or Twitter as forms of connecting with readers. Most major media companies are on. As far as community newspapers go, especially because of staffing levels, there aren’t many using these sites. We saw it as a necessary addition.

As the digital age evolves, we need to be part of it. Twitter and Facebook make that possible.

If we can deliver the most local of community news, which you value in newsprint and ink, to your computer or cell phone, we’re satisfying our customers. Now, we’re hopeful that whetting your appetite will entice you into a paid subscription, since we don’t give it all away for free.

You won’t get your kid’s dean’s list announcement or wedding announcement on our Twitter or Facebook accounts. We don’t even put that stuff on our Web site.

You’ll get the breaking news and features that we’re working on or finished, but there’s a ton we still need to deliver to your doorstep.

A main reason for doing this is the popularity among young people when it comes to Twitter and Facebook. There’s nothing more popular. Well, maybe the Jonas brothers or something like that.

Bottom line: Young people are on Twitter and Facebook. Their hometown newspaper needs to have a presence.

We’ll be on, delivering the news, and hopefully they’ll get it that way. In time, these young people will get older and even this technology will pass them by. At that point, hopefully, we’ve pleased them with our dependability and credibility, that they pick up our hard-copy newspaper and make it a part of their adult life.

I know — lots of wishful thinking going on here.

The thing is we need to be in the Facebook and Twitter game if we’re going to survive in the newspaper industry. We’re not just newspapers anymore. We’re magazines, we’re special sections, we’re “tweets” and “wall posts.”

We do all of this to satisfy your craving for news.

Tim Marren is the managing editor of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Contact him at Tim.Marren@lockportjournal.com or 439-9222.

print this story  

Photos


Tim Marren / Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Managing Editor None/Lockport Union-Sun & Journal (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

WAIT STAFF
WaitSTAFF P/T 11am -2pm or 3:15-6:45pm. Will train. Apply Amberleigh Retirement, 2330 Maple near Transit. ...>MORE


MEDICAL SECRETARY: FT for Lkpt primary care office. Exp. preferred. Call/msg 807-1618...>MORE

Nursing Manager
NURSING MANAGER-TELEMETRY. Full-time evenings. 9.5 hour shifts. NYS RN license with min. two years nursing experience wi...>MORE

Receptionist
Dental Office
Receptionist 
Responsible for front desk duties. Mon., Tues. & Wed. 8-5, Thurs. and Fri. varia
...>MORE

Nurses

NURSES

RN - LPN

Join our progressive
health care team

FT-PT - Per Diem
...>MORE

COLLECTORS
Exp. collectors, high hrly., low cash goals, 20% overage, 500 4 hitting, Chuck @ 597-2538...>MORE

Coach
COACH, Men’s Soccer. Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach for the men’s soccer team. Please see web ...>MORE


CARPENTER: Framing, 3-5 years exp. $11-15/hr DOE. Transportation necessary. 716-689-6829...>MORE

service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548, 297-1526
...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE

Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala
25,600 miles, loaded
Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo
297-2199
...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index