In Review: NABJ Conference 2009

For everyone who was unable to attend the amazing National Association of Black Journalists Conference this last week in Tampa, I have included some tools and links that I found insightful from some of the workshops at this year’s conference.

Multimedia on a Budget: Producing Online Projects without Spending a Dime

This presentation by representatives from UC Berkley’s Knight Digital Media Center gave a short preview of some amazing free Web sites that allow you to utilize the same tools found in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and even Soundslides.com. If you are interested in making interactive Web sites, utilizing audio, editing video, editing photos, and making great slides check out these Web sites.

Free Photo Editing
http://www.sumopaint.com/
http://www.fotoflexer.com/
http://www.pixlr.com/

Slideshows
http://www.soundslides.com/ ( about $40.00 for a year)
http://www.photopeach.com/
http://www.vuvox.com/ (create timeline type video to imbed into a Web site)
http://www.capzles.com/
http://www.photosynth.net/ (by Microsoft – allows people to send in photos from an event and collaborate them into a slideshow that shows the event or location pictures from different angles)

Audio Editing
http://www.audacity.sourceforge.net/
http://www.free-audio-editor.com/
http://www.audioboo.com/ (audio blogging, record to iPhone and post to site)

Video
http://www.motionbox.com/
http://www.jaycut.com/ (allows you to edit video online and download it to your computer)
http://www.vimeo.com/ (good for imbedding video to your own site)

Mapping
http://www.googlemaps.com/

For More Information: http://www.10000words.net/
www.multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu

PR in the Matrix: How Advances in Social Media Catapult Your PR Efforts to New Heights

A panel including TJ Holmes (CNN anchor), Mya Holley (Tom Joyner Morning Show Publicist), and Mario Armstrong (from National Public Radio) gave insight on how to use social media to add to your public relations efforts. Here’s a list of the what I thought was the best advice for adding social media to your PR plan.

1. Use Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to quickly promote your blog or Web site to people. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn will bring in traffic.
2. Learn SEO, Search Engine Optimization. This will help you choose the right keywords to allow search engines to catch your Web site or blog.
3. Use http://www.twtpoll.com/ to take yes/no simple opinion polls.
4. “There’s no such thing as personal if you’re the public face of a brand,” said Mario Armstrong. Make sure you make separate personal and professional Twitter accounts. However, always be careful of what you say on the personal account as well.
5. When you are choosing people to follow on Twitter keep in mind what your goals are and who gives the best information. Sites such as http://www.retweetist.com/ allow you to find out who is getting Retweeted most often.

BEFORE THE NABJ CONVENTION

So I'm sure many of you on-the-ball student journalists and PR heads are headed to the 5 day National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Tampa this morning. I am myself and I am very excited about who I may meet. I would die to see Susan Taylor or Angela Burt-Murray from Essence Magazine on the elevator as I go to my hotel room. I hope everyone has their 30-second Elevator Speeches prepared. However, I have a list of a few things everyone should think about as they headout this morning.

Attire- I know we would all love to travel relaxed. But wouldn't you just die to be checking into the hotel with Terry Glover, the senior online editor of EbonyJet.com, standing behind you in line and you are wearing some torn jeans and a wife beater. To keep it safe it is best to wear a pair of dark washed jeans paired with a collard/polo shirt for the gentlemen or a v-neck solid or striped blouse for the women. Women could also wear a nice summer dress (that flows just below the knee) coupled with a great pair of wedge sandals.

Essentials to Bring with You at All Times - Be sure to have your business cards handy. You can get free business cards printed at vistaprint.com. In addition, bring as many copies of your resume as possible and place them in a dark-colored portfolio binder.

Bring Your Handshake- Practice those firm hand shakes ladies and gentlemen. Be sure to be confident and ready for anything at this convention.

All in all, I just want you all to be prepared, professional, and ready to bring your A-game. Everyone is watching you whether you know it or not. Do not use bathrooms as a place to gossip about someone's failed outfit because anyone could be in those stalls with you. I know you all will do great. Have fun. Meet great people and expand your brand.