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The 10 Citizen Journalism Resources Real Estate Bloggers Should Be Using

Citizen Journalism, just like social networking, has always been Strive to maintain the pillars of citizen journalism around. Now instead of relying solely on Word of Mouth storytelling we are able to record ideas, thoughts, research and sometimes unfortunately speculation, through a photo lens, a microphone, a blog publishing platform, or an Internet radio show.

It's the increasing use of Citizen Journalism while traditional media is losing ground that has caused the rumbles to ROAR. What does citizen journalism have to do with real estate? If you fancy yourself a blogger and you are writing about past/current client transactions, real estate ordinances or bills passed that effect real estate, educational pieces, or community breaking news, than you are a citizen journalist.

Citizen Journalism "is the act of non-professionals "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information," according to the seminal report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information, by Shayne Bowman and Chris Willis- Source: Wikipedia.org.

Citizen Journalists-Bloggers, Podcasters, and Vloggers- have an impact on their audience. They can effect a person's purchasing decisions or actions with the news they report. As I learned from BlogWorld's Citizen Journalism Workshop last September, Citizen Journalism isn't going away. The key is to apply the pillars of Accuracy, Thoroughness, Fairness, Transparency, and Independence. The same pillars that real estate professionals wish were used when traditional journalists report on the Real Estate Market they must learn to employ themselves.

To help real estate professionals in that effort I have compiled,

The 10 Citizen Journalism Resources Real Estate Bloggers Should Be Using

1. FactCheck.org

Nonforprofit political fact checking site. An essential tool for bloggers.

2. Snopes.com

A rumor busting website. "Have you heard the one about....?"

3. Ten Steps to Citizen Journalism Online from the International Center for Journalists

Review this training module that asks questions like are you protecting people's privacy rights? Where are you retrieving your information? Are you committing defamation of character- libel? It also gives you resources to check on these sources. I purchased International Libel Privacy Handbook a few months ago when I realized there may be times when I write a post that pushes the envelope.

I don't ever not want to be cheeky when it matters, but I want to be smart and cheeky always.

4. Knight Citizen's News Network

Helps Journalists and Citizens report news responsibly. There are a myriad of resources on this website, some of which led to me the resources in this list. The site has updated news on Citizen Journalism, a Google Map on Citizen Journalist sites, and many training modules.

5. The Citizen Journalist's Guide to Public Resources-

How to get access to public records and meetings and what to do if you are denied access.

6. YouTube Citizen News Channel

A channel on YouTube dedicated to Citizen Journalism reports and videos on how to be a Citizen Journalist. If you want to report real estate news or editorial type posts why not vlog and share them on YouTube with a community of Citizen Journalists.

7. Citizen Journalism from Pamphlet to Blog

History, Definition, Explanation of Citizen Journalism. Do you remember the story of Thomas Paine- Common Sense, The Crisis, The Rights of Man, and Age of Reason, Thomas Paine died a man disliked because of his views on religion, but his other works were well regarded. Thomas Paine was an original Citizen Journalist.

8. Twitter at Work in Citizen Media

How Twitter is used for breaking news and how you can use Twitter to find news to write about. We have learned a few such as asking questions and polling. This articles lends real life journalistic examples that will inspire an aha moment. The second part of this article, Twitter Basics and the third part of this article, Twitter Do's and Don'ts are an easy read and worth the time.

9. Covering Communities

A good resource site for journalists and citizen journalists. I especially like the library and training sections that provide reference checklists and how to's for building your community.

10. J-Learning: "How To" site for Community Journalism

Community building, community building, community building EQUALS PROFITABILITY. Bookmark this site and use it.

NewsU.org

A free and simple registration form allows you to sign up for online classes like,

The Be A Reporter Game Practice the basics of newsgathering -- asking questions, verifying information -- while racing against a deadline.
Journalism and Trauma Learn how to compassionately interview victims and how covering traumatic events affects you. A fitting training module for the real estate industry in light of the number of foreclosures and short sale properties.
Local Readers and the Newsroom: The Online Credibility Gap: A Webinar Replay Hear where readers and journalists agree -- and disagree -- about news site credibility and join the discussion about key findings in this landmark study.

Invest in your busines. Take the time for education

Can you research these citizen journalism resources? How can you fit the research into your daily and weekly routine? If you're going to inform and educate the public you need to make sure you inform and educate yourself.

Put aside a slotted chunk of time to give yourself some homework each night.

If you have an assistant, have your assistant pull the pertinent reading for you to do every day.

Cut your t.v. time, outsource time wasting activities, put a time limit on playing with new tech tools.

Dedicate yourself to learning

Become a valuable citizen journalist covering the real estate beat and become a community builder in the process. Strive to be a sought after leaderand expert in your field.

Remember that means you will need to get off your computer and out in your community on a regular basis, talk to people, answer questions, ask questions, learn about the needs of your community.

Some days you might be smelling the roses of a sweet story, other days you might be trying to scrape the stench of a sad situation off the bottom of your shoes.

At the end of the day remember the words you choose can be a lesson, a help, or a comfort to your readers old and new.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the entire media industry to change when you have your feet to the street everyday and you are the real estate industry expert.

The advantage is yours if you use the 10 citizen journalism resources real estate bloggers should be using.

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Posted by Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant on 03/09/2009 11:46 PM

Comments (56)

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Originally posted at: Real Estate Marketing Drips: The 10 Citizen Journalism Resources Real Estate Bloggers Should Be Using

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56 Comments on The 10 Citizen Journalism Resources Real Estate Bloggers Should Be Using

MAR

Curious - did the workshop address the issue of report privilege relating to the compelled divulging of sources?

Rebecca, Ryan asks a good question but I guess much of this makes sense as America seems to be losing faith in the mainstream media.

Hi Rebecca - great post. I just had this conversation with a local reporter whose Uncle told him that he will be replaced by bloggers.

Hey Rebecca, thanks for compiling all the resourses. I don't have time this AM to click them all on so I will do it later this evening, bookmarked.

Ryan- No it was not about old journalism so much as it is about what journalism is becoming. Though I know there are flaws in old journalism, there are still principles which should be upheld. Sometimes in blogging there are erroneous statements which can be just as harmful as report that isn't thoroughly researched.

Larry- With good reason in many cases. Many publications, even real estate trade publications, need to beware just how much they cater to their advertisers and give us back true reporting, good journalism.

Kevin and Monica- Bloggers are quick to the scene and can publish breaking news almost instantaneously. Also papers need to develop a viable revenue model online.

Missy- I am happy we have so many tools to help us online.

Rebecca --- I find all this very interesting. Thanks for all the resource sites -- I will get to them later today --- I like the idea that bloggers can replace journalist --- Since I have been blogging, I have been paying more attention to our newspaper for ideas --- just this past weekend, a journalist wrote a column in our paper regarding theInternet replacing journalist.

Mama Liz's Signature

Rebecca - Very interesting post and great list, I will have to bookmark this blog and look through it when I get more time.

Liz and Robert- Happy to have you use it as a reference, this one took me a longer time to write. Longer than I normally like to spend:-)- LOL.

Rebecca this is a great post, I'm going to book mark this one. Thanks!

Rebecca,

This is actually new for me. The whole new notion about the media. Thanks for the list, I will check every link... tomorrow

Rebecca,

This is interesting reading. I have bookmarked your post so that I can read it in more depth.

... I'm always in Snopes !!

They have helped me bust SO many drama queens I cant even begin to tell you !

Great, thorough list Rebecca !

Cheers !

Sheldon :o)

MAR

Rebecca: You've put together a really great resource for all of us bloggers. Thanks so much for the effort... and thanks even more for sharing. Take care...

Rebecca,

Great post..I have it bookmarked. Your great effort is much appreciated!

This is an excellent resource piece -- thanks for putting it together for everyone.

Rebecca - Thanks for the Citizen Journalism Resources we are starting a community radio station he in Port Orford and this information is helpful.

Rebecca--Thank you for the great resources. I'm going to forward this to a friend! (And use it myself too!)

Rebecca - Excellent points and links. Thanks for sharing!

Rebecca, I have bookmarked this post so I can get to know these sites! Thank you for a bunch of useful info!

You should add "Rebecca's blog" it is a fabulous resource for EVERYTHING!!

I adore (and rely upon) these list emails you create!

Thanks!

Hi Rebecca! Great resources. Thanks - you're bookmarked!

Frank- Glad you found it useful.

Jon- Glad to introduce you to something new. It's important.

Christine- It's amazing the resources we now can tap into online for continuing education and research. Aside from my multitude of books I have here ( I think I order from Amazon almost every week now), we have a great amount of resources online to choose from.

Sheldon- LOL. Too many drama queens in this world to count. Just as many rumors.

Karen Anne- You'll be happy with what you find on these sites when you do some exploring.

Dorie, Bob and Carolin, Betty, Bruce and Mary- Happy to be a resource.

George- Then how timely is that. Synchronicity....I love it.

Tamara- Please do.

Caren- No problem...even if you just read, say 30 minutes to 1 hour a day on this it would be useful and help flex those community building and writing skills.

JoAnna- That is so nice to hear because I do strive to be a useful resources. If people take the time to read I have the commitment to be useful.

So much information in one blog! Thanks for taking the time to compile all this and sharing it with us. I can understand people bookmarking this to keep and read at a slower pace. Great job!

Hello my friend - I'm with Joanna - you need to add yourself to this list as one of the most amazing resources on AR and for that matter on the internet when it comes to marketing and social media. Awesome - bookmarked - and will be doing some heavy researching and reading because if you say it's good - it's good. ~Anne Marie

What a great read and diffently a bookmark. I don't want to be a journalist per se but I do want to be accurate.

Rebecca this is a great post, I'm going to book mark this one. Thanks!

Rebecca, wonderful post. I have not been in all of the sites but I do love Snopes and Factcheck. I can't even tell you how many emails I have sent back to all with the correction from one of those sites. I will be looking into the other sites later today. Thank you.

Thanks, I will have to check out some of those links

Thank you for the great resources! I had never heard of Citizen Journalism before.

Thanks for posting this... I was searching today for something that could make me really think differently and you did it.

Irene and Sonny- Thank you and I am happy to write it.

Anne Marie- Well thank you your posts keep me on task and I LOVE THAT.

Charles- Accuracy is important.

Andrea- It's great to be able to check into things. People should ask questions and have a healthy questioning nature for thigns that don't seem quite right. I teach my children this to do that respectfully of course.

Stephanie- Awesome.

Sonja- I am so glad you read this today.

Kim- You made my day today. What you said, THAT IS MY GOAL:-)

Rebecca: so much information, so little time. I will bookmark and come back to check all of this information. It is all new to me.

Thanks,

Tere

Nice post! It seems we are being pulled in so many different directions to "greet" our new customers! It is becoming very confusing as to which direction to dive into. Thank you for sharing.

Rebecca - great insight. Thank you for these valuable resources!

You are absolutely right, thank you for sharing this information.

Hello Rebecca, This was a marvelous post and with all the resources it opens the door for many of to consider seriously what yo have a provided here. I saved each of the links and discovered some excellent reading and insight into the citizen journalism idea and it is one area that I am very much am interested in. I would say that that is true for many of us, even the ones that have not yet found your post or absorbed as yet. Wonderful job of putting this all together and I am sure finishing your classes will provide you many years of connecting with and being a vital source of good information for your community. Well done!

Hey Rebecca, Your always such a wealth of information and a fine writer to boot. Thanks as always.

Rebecca, thank you much for this resource.

Rebecca - Excellent post! Thanks for sharing these resources, I am bookmarking this one:)

Suzanne

www.suzannegallegos.com

Rebecca,

You pricked my interest at this Citizen Journalism. Need to look into it a bit more to determine what it all entails. Sounds good though. Thanx.

Rebecca..you have furnished me with some excellent sources of information..i shall be using some of them in the future i am sure..:0)

Great resources. I bookmarked this entry to refer back to.

MAR

Rebecca,

Great Post.

Snopes is a great reference. I use them frequently to respond to the hoaxes & chain letters I receive. I ask the sender to retract their previous e-mail. Snopes has had almost every hoax I have researched however, If I can not find it there, I check at
http://www.vmyths.com/
http://www.hoaxkill.com/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

Most people believe that Snopes is very accurate. However several people say that they are politically biased so be cautious if the subject could have a liberal or conservative bias.

Great post. Love blogging but sorry to see the art of writing being diminished by blogs and texts. Thanks for the tutorials on Twitter. One more thing to learn about. Thanks for all the effort you put into this post. Gina

Thank you, Rebecca, your post is most interesting and helpful! In these times where most people are trying to reinvent themselves and their careers. Our best resources are within reach in these times of self enrichment - true professionals are the ones who continue to educate themselves to contribute to others well being. KUDOS, Rebecca!

Waters Real Estate, Isabel Waters, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tere- Glad you liked it.

Peggy- I want you to be able to do more than "greet new customers" I want you to be able to prospect, market and sell your services and how was that done back in the day? Relationship building:-)

William- My workshop is over so now I will learn online like you, though in the future who knows. It's possible I could take a local college workshop on it. Some do offer it. Also I think whether or not you want to be a citizen journalist, the tenents, ideas, lessons, and practices allow bloggers to flex some really great writing muscles and write better content.

I always want my content to improve and grow.

Thank you for your thoughtful compliment.

Steve- Thank you I have found that I truly love blogging.

Suzanne and Mike- Glad you found it valuable.

Esko- These are good resources to draw from in your research.

Hannah- Awesome...put 'em in your knock the socks off your content kit.

Denis and Sunshine- Thank you very much for the additional links.

Gina- Well that was one of the purposes of this post and of me deciding to take the workshop at BLogworld on Citizen Journalism. Good writing- content- ALWAYS needs to be first and if we are educating people we need to be careful and keep it real.

Waters Real Estate- Survival and Thriving is a matter of Education, among other things:-)

"The key is to apply the pillars of Accuracy, Thoroughness, Fairness, Transparency, and Independence." I think this is why citizen journalism is rising because the "professional" media as a whole has lost the ability to follow these principles. They are too busy being politically correct and/or supporting a particular political agenda and have forgotten that they really need to go back to the roots of what journalism should be. Thank you for the resource list. I am considering a real estate blog for our company website but am not ready to launch it until I have taken time to become more informed about blogging etc...

I've been using snopes.com since the late 1990's. They are based in San Fransisco and have shown an increase in liberal bias over the past few years. I take anything political there with a grain of salt.

Theyare still pretty accurate when it comes to scams and other non-political stuff, though..

Jim- The best laid plans huh? Well be assured that blogging can really open up business for you AND open up your website to the search engines.

Robin- There was another commenter on here who mentioned that also. Here are some additional resources listed from the commentor,

http://www.vmyths.com/

http://www.hoaxkill.com/

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

MAR

Great post! Bloggers usually tell the real story and I can see how they could possible replace journalists and their doom and gloom headlines. It is a time of hope in this country and around the world and people want the "real" story from "real" people!