Since 2018, the Potter Digital Ambassadors program at the MU School of Journalism has helped more than 25 Missouri newsrooms upgrade their multimedia and social media skills.
The program has proved effective at helping these newsrooms bring more readers to all of their news platforms.
There is no cost to newspapers for this program.
MU journalism students are paired with community weekly or daily newspapers and spend a week training staff in the on-site newsroom to understand the latest digital tools and how to use them to boost readership and improve content. Students will work Jan. 8-12, during their winter break.
Potter Digital Ambassadors is underwritten by MU alum and community publisher Walt Potter Jr., whose interest is strengthening the position of community newspapers.
These students, all advanced in their journalism fields, are proficient in audio and video software, for example, to create outstanding products for a website. The students are also accomplished at working on Google Analytics, social media, email newsletters, search engine optimization and other platforms to reach a wide variety of readers and potential subscribers.
The ambassadors are selected through a process that emphasizes their skills background, as well as their personal background. They are paired with newspapers based on complementary interests and abilities.
If you would like to talk to newsrooms that have already benefited from this program, we’d be happy to put you in touch. Previous sites include Jefferson City, Poplar Bluff, Moberly, Mexico, Perryville, Maryville, Gallatin, Sedalia, Eldon, Washington, Warrensburg, West Plains, Owensville and many more.
All you need to do is declare your interest in having a Potter Digital Ambassador in your newsroom. Again, there is no cost to newspapers for this program.
Email Elizabeth Stephens, stephensec@missouri.edu, who coordinates the program. Just tell her you’re interested in having an ambassador.
