Trade Press Journalists Must Embrace Social Networking

According to a recent Pew study, American adults are moving into social networks more quickly than the Top 100 news organizations. The Pew study shows that one third of all Americans now have a profile on at least one social network.

To me, this trend among readers moving online is exciting, especially if you're in the business of writing freelance trade press articles like I am. As part of my strategy to differentiate myself from other trade press freelance writers, I've embraced social networking as a means to establish my brand and expand the audience for the content I produce, thereby helping my publishers in their quest to drive traffic to their sites. According to the Pew study, it seems very few news organizations have recognized the power of the social networks in helping to expand their reach, as only one in 10 major new organization have social networking features on their sites. If the majors haven't embraced the technology, image how few in the trades have done so. 

With more readers moving to the Web, I feel there's an opportunity for trade press editors to expose their work (and help their publisher's business in the bargain) to a wider audience than ever before imaginable in this traditionally low-key area of journalism.

Social networks offer a powerful way to put content in front of people and to create a multiplier effect as users share good stories and recommend them to friends, who may share them in turn with more friends.

Are you using social networks to push out your freelance trade press content? What’s working? What’s not? Please share your experience in the comments.