Snow, snow and more snow…

…but here’s hoping we’ll get dug out in time for Valentine’s Day. Check out these valentines for journalists.

Stuff journalists (and teachers) like: The first day

#8 from the blog Stuff Journalists Like:

All journalists remember the unbridled optimism they had on that first day. They even showed up early, which is still five minutes late for a journalist, wore their best unironed slacks and even decided to pass on that second bloody mary that morning.

Read the rest here.

Time for writers to learn the numbers game

So let me get this straight:

• New analytics tools allow publishers to monitor just how many page views individual journalists are receiving, and guess what: if you don’t create enough, you could get fired.
• But those very same stats are so easily manipulated that one blogger was able to lure 39,000 views in a single week to a month-old YouTube clip by using “analytic search tools to identify specific micro niches of influential bloggers” to push the content for him.

And yet, news conglomerate execs can’t figure out how to do this? Or how to monetize it? J-students, it just goes to show: you’ve got to learn how to play the numbers game for yourself, or those numbers could be used against you.

Too many people are out there arguing that journalists do not create content of value. It’s your responsibility to blog your way into a job and, once there, prove your value and promote your work. Here’s a few suggestions:

• Learn how to track your analytics
• Use your data to increase your traffic and improve your content.
• Social networks are where it’s at, so learn how to use Twitter.
• If your content isn’t Search Engine Optimized, you’ll miss out on readers who are searching the web for the things you write about. So pick up an SEO starter manual.
• And don’t forget to manage your Google search results.

After all, it could save you from getting fired.

e-syllabi: love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I need this T-shirt. But just for my underclassmen. Right, seniors?

In a cost-cutting move, the department is distributing all syllabi online. This is apparently a policy from our new provost, according to an email sent to faculty on Jan. 15. It’s meant to reduce costs and go green.

What do you think, students? Thumbs up or a thumbs down?

Award-winning news blog looking for bloggers

Welcome to the first day of the spring semester, students.

Hungry for some clips? Inside Charm City (winner of a 2009 Mobbie for best news blog) is looking for bloggers. They’ll give you a two-week trial period and if they like you, they’ll keep you. They’re looking for anything–sports, culture, food–but are especially interested in Baltimore and Annapolis politics since this is an election year. They’ll also consider cross-posting from your current blog.

Bloggers, start your search engines.