48 Tips in 48 Hours

... if I start early?

It's almost noon on Friday. Already I've gotten some killer response to my first post. I just can't help but tell you all about it.

First of all, Michael suggested I Twitter these tips. What does that mean? Check it out. Yesterday someone at Poynter told me this thing is "burning up the Web." So, I'll be using my new Twitter page throughout the weekend to let you all know exactly what I'm up to. Am I asking you to stalk me? I think that's the idea.

Lots of people have weighed in with pre-workshop tips. Here's a quick rundown. And no, I won't be counting these toward the grand total (because that, I think, might be cheating).

• Laurie suggests we get to the point >>> "You'd better put the 'why I'm bothering telling you so' part at the top!"

• Kathleen tells us to save some good ideas for the next time around >>> "After I do a seasonal story, I 'debrief' myself and make a list of a two or three other stories I could have done. Then I use Microsoft's calendar to set up an appointment for about six weeks before that story will return the next year, with the ideas typed in."

• Denise suggests we get out the door and report >>> "The stories are in the people, how they go about their lives, and that means getting out the door, in the community and observing the world first-hand."

My #1 tip for reporters: Know how to create search feeds (RSS) to follow your beat -- whether ongoing (for search strings such as: environment... 

• Rick throws this in the mix >>> "Do I have to write this 'story' as a story? Alternative story forms (Q&A, 2-minute guide, pro and con, etc) are often more effective and a darned sight more visually entertaining than a 25-inch story."

• Ann writes in to advocate for questions and answers >>> "It's always easy to structure if you start with a question, then answer it. Next paragraph, next question."
  

This is great stuff. I'm learning a ton and I haven't even gotten to Hartford. Keep it coming everyone!

Here's one more great idea. This one comes from fellow Poynter blogger Amy Gahran. She's arguably a journalism-tip machine -- go here now.

• Amy tells beat reporters >>> "Know how to create search feeds (RSS) to follow your beat -- whether ongoing (for search strings such as: 'environment Alabama') and short-term for special purposes (such as: 'fulton amendment').

If I'm lucky, I'll get Amy to elaborate on that for the blog sometime this weekend. Hint-hint, Amy. E-mail me.

I'm off to the airport. By 7 or so, I'll be in Hartford. I have audio interviews scheduled with Denis Horgan and Chris Keating, both Hartford guys. Denis, director of the workshop, will give us a quick preview of what we might expect, and Chris, capitol bureau chief for The Hartford Courant, will give us a sneak peak at his session on covering local politics. Check back later tonight to hear what they have to say.

And be sure to glance over my itinerary for tomorrow. Send me the questions you would ask if you were in the audience. I'll ask 'em and bring you the answers.

To wrap up, I'll leave you with this.

• In the comments on last night's post, Dan advises me to stay away from cheese cubes >>> "... at those press parties. they'll kill you."