To the Point certificate
We know our younger digital readers are seeking scannable, easy-to-digest content. Here’s what it is (and isn’t), how our efforts so far are helping us reach readers with premium and metered content and some successful examples on how newsrooms are putting it to use and making it a priority.
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Network social media strategy
Instagram (and TikTok) have seen news consumption increase over the past three years. Users of these social platforms also tend to be younger, more diverse and more closely align with our target audiences.
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To the Point 101 — Why we’re doing it and what successful TTP looks like
We know our younger digital readers are seeking scannable, easy-to-digest content. Here’s what it is (and isn’t), how our efforts so far are helping us reach readers with premium and metered content and some successful examples on how newsrooms are putting it to use and making it a priority.
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Data visualization: InfoGram 201
Students will use datasets to build more advanced maps and single chart graphics.
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Data visualization: Canva and Venngage 201
Students will use a set of data points and data sets to build static and interactive graphics. We also will show how Flourish interfaces with Canva, since Canva now owns it.
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Data visualization: Datawrapper 301
A deep dive on building choropleth and location maps. In 75 minutes we will build three maps, based on both US and global data. We will work on a more advanced chart and focus more on adding tooltips and footnotes in the charts.
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Reddit: How journalists can use the platform to grow audience, find sources and more
With 430 million active users, Reddit is a gold mine of opportunity for journalists — but diving in can be challenging. In this session, we’ll help you learn how to confidently navigate the platform to discover and promote stories, find sources, cultivate relationships with new and existing audiences, and more.
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Google MyMaps 301
Students will build layered maps. We will show them how to work multimedia into the map. We’ll use real data they can download. Bonus: We also will show how to use PhantomBuster to scrape data OUT of Google Maps.
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Data visualization: Flourish 201/301
Easily turn your data into stunning charts, maps and interactive visuals for your stories. We will unlock the advanced features and settings in Flourish that will help you animate and bring your stories to life, while remaining true to our styles and branding.
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How to tell a story in 60 seconds or less on vertical video
Learn how to easily tell a story for audiences on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube. Led by Wisconsin DOT Manager Lainey Seyler and producer Brooke Eberle, the session give tips on planning, creating and writing a script for vertical videos.
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Instagram for journalists
What are all these Instagram terms I hear and why do they matter to my work? Get a crash course on the basics of Instagram and how the platform can help your stories reach a different audience in this one-hour course led by Des Moines Register Audience Strategist Brian Smith.
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Twitter tips for journalists
Learn how to plan out a Twitter Thread, why Twitter Moments are important and get a refresher on the basics of the platform in this one-hour session led by Detroit Free Press Audience Editor Brian Manzullo.
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Storytelling Studio and video tools
How to access and use our dynamic, custom and high-impact storytelling tools, including the “In-Depth Framework.”
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Canva 101
The Florida-Georgia DOT shows some of the best tips and tricks for using Canva, including Background Remover, Positioning, Text Spacing and Text Effects.
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Extending the reach of our video through social
Our 2022 coverage strategy puts video closer to the center of our work, because it’s more central to our audiences’ expectations.
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Basic databases in Google Flourish and other tools
A few easy tools to help you show your work: Google Flourish, Airtable and Tableizer.
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50 tools for writing well with Roy Peter Clark
Organized into four sections, “Nuts and Bolts,” “Special Effects,” “Blueprints for Stories,” and “Useful Habits,” this series is infused with more than 200 examples from journalism and literature.