DISQUS

Innovation in College Media: Mobile news alerts: An underused tool

  • AramZS · 11 months ago
    Yahoo includes ads at the bottom of their text alerts.

    George Mason has an alert system that you can sign up for that our news source has a channel on, among many other channels.

    We didn't have a good reaction, because it was difficult for users to unsubscribe to that service. Perhaps Tatango will prove a better option.

    We've also tried to set up an SMS "listserv" type system, using a now defunct site, to help cover breaking news within the office, but no one was interested.

    What do you think about promoting a Twitter account as a SMS service? Do you think the option to sign up is too complex or that being off-site creates a disconnect?
  • Lauren Rabaino · 11 months ago
    I considered Twitter when writing this. The problem with it is that readers don't want your @replies and conversation with *others* appearing in their text alerts (or at least I wouldn't). You also single out a big portion of your readers who aren't familiar with Twitter . As you mentioned: how do you get them to sign up in a user-friendly fashion?

    You also bring up a good point about unsubscribing-- I use the WP plugin and I'm fairly certain the unsubscribe option isn't clear either. I'll have to look into it.
  • Joey Baker · 11 months ago
    Really like your point here Lauren. IMHO mobile is the best platform for delivering this 'new media' content that we're producing, and anything to help with that is huge.

    Oh, and added your links to the CoPress Wiki.