Writing for online is all about getting the story out as quickly and creatively as possible.
Remember: Your phone is your weapon
- Voice: staying in touch with the desk, colleagues, sources
- Data: SMS, email, MMS
- Photos: a phone is a great camera
- Video: even scratchy video can be compelling
You must be prepared:
- Get all your background ready before you leave for the event.
- Make sure all your equipment works.
- Make sure all your connections work: voice, data, backup channels.
- Contact numbers of the desk, email addresses all ready to go.
- Is everything charged?
Coordinate with your online team:
- Does the desk know what you’re doing?
- Have you prepared a template/different versions of the story/curtain raiser?
- Is there anything already online that the desk could use?
Anticipating the story
- While you’re waiting for the event to start, is there anything you can scan/ dictate/photograph/email the desk?
- What is the story likely to be?
- What’s the likely lead going to be?
- What kind of quote should you be looking out for?
- What sort of context?
As the event unfolds
- Is it worth sending something to the desk while the event is going on?
- How about a quick picture?
- A couple of paragraphs?
- Is it worth streaming some audio or video?
- SMS a bit of colour?
- SMS an update about when the event will finish?
Compose in your head
- How much of those vital first few paragraphs have you already composed in your head?
- If you’re having problems, doing so, don’t worry.
- Ask yourself the basic question: “So what’s this all about?”
- If you’re still not sure, compose one version. You can always change it later.