Columns and Commentary

Thoughtful columns and commentary pieces.

Social media: What service can you provide?

Saying “social media is about engagement!” is kind of obvious. It’s like saying “telephones are for communicating by voice through distance!”

How journalists can use Google Voice

This article originally appeared on the author’s blog “Six Times an Hour.” Imagine being able to give out one phone number to sources and clients that would ring every phone you own, increasing your availability for scoops and story ideas while keeping your actual phone numbers private. A few years ago, a service called GrandCentral launched with one big idea: One phone number that can reach all of your physical handsets, including your desk phone, your cell phone and your home phone. In 2009, Google purchased Grandcentral and relaunched the service as ‘Google Voice,’ and recently the service was taken out of its invitation-only state and became available to anyone who had a Google account (if you have a Gmail or YouTube username, you have a Google account). Why journalists should use Google Voice: It’s free: The core features of … Read more