A news alert is a notification sent to a user when content changes on the web. It is especially useful for keeping up with breaking news stories. Alerts can also be set up for specific keywords, allowing users to stay informed about current trends in their industry.
When it comes to writing a news alert, the key is balancing brevity with informative content. Alerts should clearly convey what is unique about an event and how it will be a benefit to the community. They should be written without a biased opinion and should give reporters the angle they need to cover the story.
In order to make sure that they are getting all of the available information, it is important for small businesses to regularly check their Google Alerts. This will allow them to see all of the results that have been returned for their business name, products, competitors, and industry keywords. This will provide them with a snapshot of the public’s perception of their brand and give them the opportunity to correct misinformation or respond to negative feedback.
When asked how their outlet discerns which stories and subjects warrant a push alert, most interviewees cited journalistic gut instinct. Identifying when non-breaking news warrants an alert can be more complicated than identifying when breaking news does, however. Many interviewees also emphasized that their news organization needs to figure out its “schtick” for alerting, such as providing summaries, dayparting, or rich notifications (e.g., photos and videos).