Last week’s Business Week hard copy issue had a cover story on the US Economy that focused on the accuracy of the debt load and other economic measures. How did I find this out? Because I listened to Business Week’s weekly podcast on my way to the airport. Business Week’s podcast focuses not on reading the cover story, but on interviewing the author of the cover story (in this case, Michael Mandel). This led me to buy the magazine at the airport and read the article on the runway. What really caught my attention was not just the article contents (I like reading Mandel anyway), but the use of a blog by Mandel for commentary and questions. I think this is a good way of using three different media (four if you count the online version of the article) to support and augment the good old hard copy.
What ways can Extension professionals use to leverage their programming with more than one media? In the past we’ve done this with traditional media (newspaper announcements, newsletters, radio spots, displays in prominent places, etc.). Now we need to look at more alternates. Can we place news releases on our websites and direct media and others to them? Why not have a specific link for press releases or media information? If we produce something once (a newsletter, audio cast, etc.), can we post them online or to other sources? The answer of course is yes. See this older post for an example. My challenge to myself: How else can I be providing this information? Is this the best or only medium? Who do I intend to reach and how to they want the information?