Where do I start

Social media has changed communication for many people in many different ways. As previously discussed, journalists can use the medium to hunt for stories and or have stories come to them via a social media platform. One unique way it can be used is as what I would describe as a fishing net. Let me explain. You have a story idea but it is fairly random and you need to find some interesting talent that fit the bill for the angle you are looking for. Enter social media. I'll use a recent story idea at a QT editorial meeting as an example.

The idea was to do a local story on the highly popular family stickers that are appearing on many cars across the country. The editor though wanted to find an unusual family with many stickers for a large blended family rather than Mum/Dad and 2 kids. Not knowing how to efficiently go about finding such a family the journalist posted requests on the newspapers Facebook page and within minutes the responses flooded in. Included in the Facebook responses was this one; "I have 2 gay dads... 4 kids... 2 dogs.. A fish.. A turtle.. And a lizard.. On both cars... We are so proud of our mixed family xo.

Enough said. Social media to the rescue. A source was found and the story is well underway.