Google Alerts
Hey all.
So I believe that most reporters start out with a beat. Many do not know how to cover a beat - how to work with sources, learn about the beat and cover the beat.
So, I figured I'd start another category of postings - tips on covering beats. Please, when you have one to share -
e-mail me the description and your name and I'll post it to da blog.
My first tip is almost sure to help: Google alerts.
These are automated collections of stories, blog postings, Web site comments that are rounded up and delivered to your e-mail. You can sign up for what sources you'd like covered - such as news, blogs and so on. You can sign up to receive the alerts once a day, once a week or multiple times each day.
Take my beat, for example. I cover Irvine and the Great Park. I have alerts for "Irvine," "Great Park," and all the designers and officials I cover. Sure, a lot of what it turns up has nothing to do with my source or beat - designer Ken Smith's name is just way to normal - but for that one out of a hundred time you get something amazing - it's totally worth it.
To sign up, just
click here.