My time as an Assignment Editor provided many stories on which I shared in my first blog.  While I'm no longer On the News Desk, the stories and lessons shouldn't be forgotten. 

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Musings and thoughts

Showing Tag: "news" (Show all posts)

Honored to win Heartland Emmy for Interactivity

Posted by Misty Montano on Sunday, July 14, 2013, In : SocialTV 

It is such an honor to receive this Heartland Emmy for the SafeKids Twitter chat I produced for 9NEWS. I thank Denver Police Department, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Marie Hayes Folmar, Lucretia Madden Pruitt, Rajean Campbell Blomquist, Shawn Montano and all who participated in the chat. I wish with all my heart the chat hadn't been needed and that Jessica was home with her family. 



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Follow the debate hashtags and social conversation

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, In : Integrating Social Media 
"What is the hashtag?" This is one of the 1st questions event planners should ask, decide and push. It takes effort to make a hashtag stick. The only exception I've seen to this is the occasional big, breaking news story. In the end the users, specifically social influencers on Twitter, decide what the tag will be.

Tonight, and all of the debates, will be user-powered. The hashtag with the most use may or may not be the official tag determined by @UofDenver or @Gov.

I'm monitoring at least 1/2 ...

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Twitter: I'm following even if you've blocked me

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, In : Twitter 

 
It still surprises me that individual journalists block each other, block me, on Twitter. It shocks me that a TV station blocks me from it's station account. Shocking and surprising, but not stopping me. 

If I care about what you have to say on Twitter, I am following you even if you've blocked me.

There is no reason we journalists should be blocking each other. It just feels petty to me that efforts are taken to block journalists. Your effort of blocking me isn't even slowing me down from see...

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Interactive maps give understanding to breaking news

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, In : Integrating Social Media 

During wildfires one of the most requested items is a map. A map is sometimes the only line residents have to their homes during a wildfire. Infrared photos of the fire are taken from the air to give the most precise mapping of fire movement.

Infrared mapping isn't the only mapping option, though. Interactive maps can give people a deeper understanding of what's happening.

Based off of geographic information systems (GIS) sets of data can be layered on a map to help understand and visualize ...


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How to use Facebook scheduling

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, In : Integrating Social Media 

You may have heard that last week Facebook started allowing posts on pages to be scheduled through Facebook itself, instead of a 3rd party app like Hootsuite. Here's a quick look at how, and why to use Facebook instead of a 3rd party app.

1. Create your post - status update or photo/video like you normally would. Instead of clicking "Post" click on the clock icon in the lower left hand corner of the post. This is the same procedure as if you've adding milestones or posts to your Timeline. Inst...
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Timeline: This is your life. Protect it.

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


How often do you check your Facebook profile, not your wall, but your profile?

My husband can’t remember the last time he checked his profile. This evening he clicked on it and found he had Timeline. It was already public, which means he missed his 7-days grace period to edit and curate his Timeline.

He didn’t mind. He sat there and went through his Timeline laughing at posts and pictures. Memories he had forgotten came flashing back.

He found posts and tags from friends with whom he’s n...
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Playing the Facebook numbers game

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, December 2, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


Last time I wrote and published a blog it was right after Facebook changed… again. The changes again had to do with how your newsfeed looks to you. This change drastically hurt pages at the time and for a good week because your newsfeed is now built on your interactions with your friends, groups and pages and your own ranking of posts as “Top Stories” or not.

Since that first week the ranking of pages improved to where the pages to which I am an administrator had the normal amount of t...
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Facebook news feed is hurting Facebook pages

Posted by Misty Montano on Sunday, September 25, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


Within minutes of seeing the roll-out of the new Facebook news feed on Wednesday I knew the changes would hurt pages.  FB is taking all of your past use of FB to decide the order the posts you see on your FB news feed.  It seems FB is ranking Profiles over Pages.  

I noticed right away that if a Page I've liked has posted within a short amount of time before I logged in, that Page's post showed up towards the top in "Recent Stories."  Then I noticed I had to scroll way down on my news fee...


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Wading through the Facebook changes... again

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


I've been asked by several people today how I'm figuring out the new FB design.  I definitely don't know all the answers, but here is what I've been able to figure out and first impressions.  Some of what I've written is my own personal opinion on the changes. If you have a different idea about them, I'd love to hear it.

I rushed to put this together between meetings and have not had time to take screen shots to better illustrate what FB has done.  Mashable has a few screen shots that may ...

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Do more then share comments during the news

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


Each day I try to find social aspects of our stories.  The easiest thing to do is just post a question or comment about a story on Facebook and/or Twitter and let conversation ensue.  When I can or have the opportunity I’ll jump into the conversation and add responses either as myself or commenting as the station.

Those conversations are necessary to create relationships with people who will tu...


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Journalists: social media is about moments

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, July 29, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 



To understand how to use social media you might want to forget you’re a journalist.  Then when you do use social media you need to remember you’re a journalist.  Make sense?

Here’s the deal.  We are trained to not share the story process or personal details of life.  We are trained not to give away the story until it’s on the web or on the air. 

Holding to this training while trying to do social media will just cause you to fail, and even resent it. 

Social media is not about the fina...

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I've gone to the dark side: Marketing

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 



I have gone to the dark side. 
I sometimes wonder who I am.
I see numbers in my sleep.

Ask any journalist about his/her math skills and you’ll probably find yourself hearing some joke about becoming a journalist to avoid working with numbers.  Little did I know utilizing social media would put me smack in the middle of a bed of numbers. 

The numbers were on the wall long, long ago when I realized I had branded myself by accident by using Twitter as a journalist.  Every time I speak to stu...

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Working to define, not be defined

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, June 20, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


Almost three months have passed since I last wrote and announced my decision to leave CBS4 News after 10 1/2 years On the News Desk.

I’ve been waiting for my feet to find steady ground.  I’ve been finding my new place and how exactly I fit.  I’ve been too exhausted at the end of the day to write.

I have composed many blogs in my mind and seriously need to start recording my thoughts so they aren’t lost!

My personal blog has been just as neglected, which is truly sad because I had pla...


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90-day review of myself

Posted by Misty Montano on Monday, June 20, 2011, In : Integrating Social Media 


I’m taking a very serious, critical look at my time thus far as Digital Content Manager at 9NEWS

Only seconds have passed and the truth is hitting me upside the head: I haven’t spent enough time, nor have proper planning to actually have moved the station more than an inch in effectively utilizing social media.  This truth is quickly followed with a smack to the other side of my head: I haven’t lived what I’ve been preaching.

I wrote a 10-page Social Media Action Plan before I steppe...

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Stalk the competition

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, April 3, 2010, In : Integrating Social Media 
Hand in hand with my previous blog goes this post. Just as you need to be aware of what’s being said about you/your name/brand/company, you should know what’s being said about your competition and what your competition is saying. At the very least you should know how your competition is using the same social networks as you are so you can improve your own use, or expand to another network.

I’m a journalist so my competition is other journalists, traditional and citizen, and media outlets...
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If you're willing collaborative journalism is easy and rewarding

Posted by Misty Montano on Friday, January 8, 2010, In : Integrating Social Media 
Media organizations have partnered for as long as I can remember. CBS4 News used to partner with The Rocky Mountain News before it closed. Now the station partners with The Denver Business Journal. KUSA and KMGH also partner with local print organizations. There are various partnerships with local radio stations as well. These partnerships will continue but need to go beyond media organization to media organization.

Collaboration is a term being used more these days to describe a wide variety ...
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New TV faces because of unexpected bridge between viewer and news

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 

Face it.  There are a lot of new faces on TV News in Denver.  Last week I was one of those new faces as I did a live question and answer session with the anchors during the 6pm newscast. The following day I was live in two newscasts talking social media and the station’s Emergency Toy Drive.

The morning I was in the first newscast, and before I knew I was going to be on the news, I spoke to a group of local business leaders about using social networks in the newsroom.  We also discussed ho...


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Seeking advice for a Twitter dilemma

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, December 17, 2009, In : Twitter 

There are very few reasons I block anyone from facebook or Twitter.  Pure spam.  Porn.   Insults just because I’m a member of the media. These types of accounts I block.

I’ve never stopped any other journalist or news organization from following me; not even direct competition.  To do so goes against all I preach about using social networks.  Plus I want to follow them to see what they’re doing! 

One local journalist has a public account but has blocked me and @cbs4denver.  I’m gue...


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I share press releases as news content

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, December 17, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 

This week’s Journchat was lively as usual. Question one lead to a good discussion on press releases used as news.  (You can view the Archived Chat.  Question one and the comments start at 7:07pm.)  I answered as soon as I saw the question. 

Last night was a no brainer.  As I’m shouting out to coworkers about an email from Denver Police on a missing grandmother and her two-year old grandson, I’m saving the press release, a PDF file, so I can upload the release to Twitdoc.  I knew t...


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I am using Google Wave, the mess that it is, for news

Posted by Misty Montano on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
I’ve spent the last two weeks playing around in Google Wave. I see its potential as a collaborative tool to share information during news events, such as a snow storm. I see it being used as a comment tool much like people comment on facebook or retweet with a comment on Twitter.

I’ve joined waves that were created to discuss the use of social media and/or Google Wave in journalism and in news. I’ve reviewed other media outlets use of Google Wave. I’ve read articles on using Google W...

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Bad journalism and bad Twitter critique frustrates me

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
By now I believe my social media mantra is clear. Be smart. If you choose to use social media in any capacity know why, know your purpose and be smart in all you do. I need to extend my “be smart” advice to media that decides to critique social media use.

Saturday morning while curled up under a blanket on the couch and sipping a mug of coffee I scrolled through Twitter on my cell phone.  I saw a Tweet from @DaveWebb that said The Colorado Independent had called out The Denver Post for its...
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Use social media, but don't give away your competitive edge.

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, November 14, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
I’ve made it obvious that I believe traditional media should use social media. I advocate knowing why you’re using social networks, have goals and have strategies to reach those goals. So I find myself a little surprised at the thoughts that went through my head this afternoon. Is it possible to tweet too much?

If you’re giving away your competitive edge, yes you can tweet too much.

When I share what’s happening for me on the news desk and in the newsroom I am always aware that I have...
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Concept: provide news packages when they're ready, not after they've aired on the news

Posted by Misty Montano on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
I talked with a reporter last week about social media and the news. She kept asking, “can social media get us another ratings point?” I said that it could by simply connecting our product to new viewers who are using social networks, but that it would be hard to analyze the numbers. Numbers don’t tell us why we get numbers. Could it be our promotions? Could it be our community efforts? Could it be our efforts on social media? The analytics just aren’t there like they are with the Inte...
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Get the viewer involved. Dedicate resources to social media. Future of news.

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, October 31, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
I woke up to snow this week. The forecasts for a fall snow storm had all been right. I settled in for a snow day with my boys and wondered if I’d be called in to work. It was the last day of my vacation time I’d taken to be off with the boys during their fall break. It was a day of pajamas, hot chocolate, games, cartoons, shoveling and running around in the snow.

It’s sometimes hard for me to turn off work, you know that internal switch where you can completely allow yourself to be in th...
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I got all my news from the Internet, not TV

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, October 24, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
I was sick and at home for almost a full week. Watching the news was one of the last things I wanted to do. I wanted to watch chick flicks, reruns of my favorite shows, and catch up on all the shows episodes that sat for months on the DVR. Yet, I am a bit addicted to the news. I couldn’t stay away from it, but I rarely turned the TV to it. I got almost all the news from Twitter and facebook.

No, I didn’t just read tweets or status updates and take those posts for truths. I let those posts ...
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I withheld information from Twitter, but was honest about it

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, October 10, 2009, In : Twitter 

Wednesday night I listened to a SWAT situation in the metro area.  It sounded like multiple agencies were participating in an operation to take a person in custody.  I had nothing confirmed, but  I shared what I heard on Twitter though.  I often share what I hear as a way to keep the community informed as to what’s happening and to explain the news process.

At first I didn’t hear the location of the SWAT incident and said so in my Tweets.  This lead to two people replying to me with what ...


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A Social Media Conversation for Journalists

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, October 3, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 


September 30, 2009 Denver Press Club

We gathered to answer questions of using Social Media in news, as a journalist.  From questions of marketing and branding to verification of sources we answered a wide range of questions.  Those who attended the seminar guided the discussion and shared some of what they are currently experiencing with social media.  We talked for just about two hours.  I encourage you to watch the entire discussion, in bits and pieces as you have time.  I hope you find answ...
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Creating relationships on Twitter is not bad; it's good

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, September 24, 2009, In : Twitter 
I am often asked how a journalist can use Twitter, facebook or other social media networks while walking the line of being unbiased, yet personable. To me the answer is simple. Be smart when you use these networks

When I share my experiences on the news desk I always make the source of the information clear. I never give an opinion on a story or hot button issues like politics and religion. However I am always me. I let my personality come out and I share some aspects of my personal life, like...
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My Twitter mistake

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, September 19, 2009, In : Twitter 

I want to be absolutely clear.  I messed up.  I did not think the situation all the way through before I posted a Tweet.  I’m going to explain my line of thinking, but in no way am I excusing anything I did.  I simply want to share it because I learned a valuable lesson that slapped me in the face.  Seriously, my face stung like I had been slapped.

 

I received a call from another O & O (owned and operated) CBS station asking if I knew anything about a plane that had to make an emergency la...


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Efforts to advance journalism hit resistance; but news is changing

Posted by Misty Montano on Thursday, August 6, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
Recently I was referred to as "oh, the twitter girl" by another journalist.  I was not present during the conversation but a friend who was thought the comment was so funny that I was called right up and told about it.  The conversation was apparently one of those, "hey, how's it going in your shop?" and my name was brought up.  While my friend found the references amusing, I found it disturbing.

I believe in using all tools possible to advance journalism.  The tools at my hands at all times o...
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Social media opens the door

Posted by Misty Montano on Saturday, June 20, 2009, In : Integrating Social Media 
Below is the article I wrote for an upcoming NATAS newsletter. The purpose of the article is to introduce social media to the NATAS member that may be thinking of using social media. Tell me your thoughts.

Social media may not be a necessity. Social media, at this time, may not drastically change viewership numbers. Social media, however, will give you or your organization another voice in a world where turning on the television is not always the first action people take to find news. Social m...
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About Me


Misty Montano I am a Journalist using Social Technologies and Interactive Media to connect with news consumers. I am the Digital Content Manager at 9News in Denver, CO. Previously I was an Assignment Editor at CBS4 News in Denver where I won my first Regional Emmy for my work and spent the first 10 years of my career. I truly grew up On the News Desk.