Armen Berjikly on Social Media

OurBlook interview with Armen Berjikly, founder of ExperienceProject.com ... www.experienceproject.com

How do reporters use social media to send out information to people they want to receive it, and to gather sources and content? Which media do they use, and is it easy?

AB: Many reporters and media outlets have begun utilizing popular social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to distribute their content beyond traditional means such as print or media outlet websites. For example: you can now follow many of the nation’s top news outlets like CNN or Fox News on Twitter ... they push out news content throughout the day. Because of Twitter’s ability to reach followers almost instantly via mobile phones, news outlets have found it to be an extremely effective tool for announcing breaking stories. In the “old” days, you had to wait until the 6 o’clock news or tomorrow’s newspaper for breaking news ... now news is reported almost as fast as it happens.

As social networking is being used more and more to distribute news, it is also being used to collect sources and content. Many local and national news outlets frequently utilize YouTube for covering various general interest “fluff” pieces like funniest animal moments, clever user generated content or most recently helping create international stardom as in the case of Susan Boyle, a singer on the popular television show "Britain’s Got Talent" whose unbelievable voice (and accompanying media coverage) made her one of Google’s most searched-on names this summer. In addition, the near real-time aspect of social media coupled with (in many cases) the ability to offer tips and information while remaining completely anonymous has evolved true investigative reporting into more of a duel effort.

How do reporters use social media to receive information? If there are replies coming in from dozens or hundreds or thousands of people, how can they be screened and arranged?

AB: Reporters who use Twitter at times utilize their follower tips or content through the direct messaging or the @ functionality on the site where followers can directly send news tips or messages. As for replies coming in from thousands of people, news teams have the option of sifting through all responses searching for the best content (which many of the national news outlets do because of their larger resources) or generate simple yes/no polls on various pressing topics like healthcare reform to get a general (non-scientific) consensus of opinions.

The media have frequently looked toward Experience Project to gather in-depth information or just-posted comments from our user base on a wide variety of topics ranging from living in a sexless marriage to surviving cancer or thoughts on time sensitive events like Michael Jackson’s death.

Do you know of any specific stories that social media have been instrumental in developing for newspapers or TV stations or online sites?

AB: Yes, the Susan Boyle phenomenon is a classic case of how social networking and video sharing transformed an unknown person into a media darling. MMA fighter Kimbo Slice is another recent example of how social media helped turn a man whose popular street fighting videos were splashed all over YouTube and competing video sharing sites into one of the most recognizable names in the sport.

Do you foresee much impact from social media in major news operations such as newspapers and TV news, or in the future of journalism generally?

AB: Absolutely. Social media gauges people's interest to certain news stories in a way never before possible, and in many cases, can even create or bolster neglected stories that would unexpectedly resonate with a larger audience.

Which forms of social media do you think will endure, and why? Are there any you see as fads that will fade away?

AB: Social media as a whole tap into fundamental needs of people ... to communicate with friends, to meet like-minded people, and to intelligently disseminate information each individual finds interesting. I think the aspects of it that are more sensitive to trends are participating in social media with the goal of others' consumption, as opposed to personal satisfaction. For example, blogging for an audience (vs. using it as a more public version of a personal diary) requires a significant and continuous time investment to nurture an audience. While many people are enamored with the concept of having their own blog and start with enthusiasm, most give up in short order.

Is there anything else you'd like to say about social media?

AB: At its core, social media's goal is the same as ours: harnessing technology to connect people who can make each other's lives a better place. Experience Project sees itself as a powerful complement to the range of social media options, hosting longer-lasting, substantial content that captures the very essence of our members' lives, and serves as a beacon of exploration, knowledge and even hope to readers into the future.

Editor's Note: Armen calls ExperienceProject.com the world’s largest social networking site for sharing life experiences.