Multimedia conversion course for mid-career journalists

Multimedia conversion course for print journalists

A 10-module conversion course for print journalists who would like to bring multimedia skills including the use of video, audio and stills photography to their work. We also cover blogging and the use of social media including Facebook and Twitter as part of the researching, reporting and publishing process.

This is a comprehensive introduction to multimedia journalism; a highly practical course that equips you to both create, design, structure and manage websites and to use the full range of multimedia skills in your reporting and features writing.

You’ll find more on the approach we take, and video and audio introductions to the course, here

Who it is for

Any experienced old-school journalist who wants an introduction to audio, video, stills, blogs, websites and social media.

What do you need to know

Nothing about the web and multimedia, but we will assume a full professional ability as a print journalist. So we won’t insult your intelligence or talk down to you.

How it is delivered

Through self-guided e-learning, with support from your tutor via email or phone.

There are projects for you to complete at each stage of learning, and regular assessments from your tutor. Email and phone support is also available.

So you get the most economical and flexible approach to learning new skills.

How long it takes

You choose how fast or slow you want to go.

What it costs

£395

What is covered

• How to use a content management system to create, populate and manage a website
• Search engine optimisation and web analysis tools
• Writing for the web, and how that differs from print
• Blogging
• Writing for voice
• Filming, editing and publishing video
• Recording, editing and publishing audio
• Taking, editing and publishing still photographs
• The use of social media including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Audioboo and more
• The internet as a research and reporting tool
• Visualisations and data journalism

Unit content in detail

1 How to use a content management system to create, populate and manage a website

We start from scratch. I guide you in the creation of your website, in acquiring a url, designing and populating the site. The site-builder we use is Webs, which is designed for the non-coder, so you need no technical knowledge. There is a small cost, born by you, in purchasing a URL and bandwidth, of around £50.

2 Writing for the web, and how that differs from print

How to write text and headlines that work well on the web. The essentials of Search Engine Optimisation and web analysis tools. Applying the Digital Media Pyramid, a variant on the old Inverted Pyramid, to your web reports.

3 Blogging

Effective Blogging strategies explored. The concept of a beat blog and how having one can improve the way you work and the perception of you as a journalist.

4 Writing for voice

How to script your audio and video material.

5 Filming, editing and publishing video

Basic filming, editing and publishing using either MovieMaker or iMovies.

Creating live broadcasts, plus movie editing, on an iPhone or other smartphone.

6 Recording, editing and publishing audio

Audio reporting and podcasting tools explained and demonstrated. Audio editing and publishing.

7 Taking, editing and publishing still photographs

The essential photo-taking, editing and publishing techniques. Taking and editing photos on an iPhone or other smartphone using a range of free or inexpensive apps

8 The use of social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Audioboo

How to create and integrate these social presences into your work. How to manage your time when using social networks.

9 The internet as a research and reporting tool

Google search and beyond, plus how to research and cover stories with the aid of social networks.

10 An introduction to data journalism and visualisations

What data journalism is, and why is it an important new skill. How to create visualsiations by takign data and importing it into some of the most popular visualisation tools.

Ready to book? Want to know more?

Contact me for a chat. DM @andybull