Evaluating the benefits of social networking for journalists

There are now hundreds of social networking sites and platforms on the Internet today. While only a handful attract the masses, there are plenty designated for various niche audiences. Journalists today have numerous sites at their disposal including the popular LinkedIn and Facebook as well as those created specifically for journalists like Wired Journalists and Poynter.

Whereas journalists can use LinkedIn and Facebook to find sources and expand their networks, journalist-specific networks are used to improve their skills and have a place to ask questions and get responses from others in their field without having to go to someone at their office.

For example, Poynter offers original content -- news and tips regarding journalism. On top of that, the network hosts a career board, training sessions and forums where you can discuss ethics, multimedia, journalism education, writing, visual journalism, and much more. This website gives journalists a place to go to advance their knowledge about the industry in a variety of ways whether it's an online webinar, participating in a discussion on their message board or reading an article or blog post about a piece of relevant news.

Wired Journalists uses the Ning social networking platform, offering a Groups section where members can join groups on topics like Wordpress, Social Bookmarking, Video, Visual Editing, Photography, Blogging, etc. The members who join each group can then discuss issues and ask questions related to the group theme/topic. Whereas Poynter offers news, Wired Journalists is more of a peer-to-peer network where the members provide all the content in forms of providing tips, discussing important issues, sharing ideas and articles, as well as asking and answering questions.

Joining these networks is not an either/or situation for journalists -- you don't have to join just LinkedIn and Poynter or only Facebook. The great thing is that the individual reporter can select which network(s) are best for him or her based on their personal preferences.