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Blog Saturday, November 21, 2009 // Blog home »

What makes a great iReport? Well, after yesterday’s roundtable discussion, our team decided it’s time to give you some helpful tips. Each week we’ll show you an example of a good iReport and tell you how to make it even better!

A newcomer to the iReport community, Ireportphoto , shows real promise when it comes to capturing nice photos and videos . She submitted a few iReports about the GM plant coming down in Flint, Michigan. Not only did she give us her opinion on the situation, but she also asked questions to encourage comments.

So, what could have made these iReports even better? Put all the media together in one upload instead of multiple submissions. Having everything in one iReport paints the whole picture. All-in-one iReports make the best links for CNN.com.

And one more tip for Ireportphoto: Give some context in the text field, or get on camera and narrate what’s going on. Where is the plant located? When were these photos and videos shot?

In journalism school one of the first things you learn is the 5 Ws (and one H): Who, what, when, where, why and how. Including this basic information not only tells other users exactly what they’re seeing, but tells a better story.

Kudos to Ireportphoto and here’s to seeing higher quality iReports all over the site! See you next week with more helpful tips.

Posted by: zdan // April 10, 2009
Category: tips

8 Comments

April 10, 2009		Ireportphoto Wow! This is truly and honor for me and a tribute to all of the Superstar Ireporters around the world. It is your work I viewed and watched while asking myself, “How can I develop great stories like them, but incorporate my own passion and views into what I report?” Thanks Ireport.com for the shout out, but truthfully I still have no idea what I am doing. To all of you beginners who are reading this, there is no secret formula, other than sharing your PASSION for what it is you are reporting, and having that passion come out through your work. Don’t give up.
April 11, 2009		Adjuster1 Damages from Tornados look like a hurricane F-3 and F-4 hit Murfreesboro, TN. The govorment should use the National Guard for TN to assist in Recovery and Clean-up. Several Claims will be generated from the disaster for Murfreesboro, TN as well as surrounding Counties in TN. Please advise insured's to take images if they can. Also, I recommend as an Adjusters that lives here in Murfressboro, TN for Property & Casualty that the State of TN should be declared a State of Emergency so Federal Assistance can be provided to help citizens for TN. It truly looks like a war zone here in Murfreesboro, TN. If you are an adjuster and worked hurricane Katrina than you could relate to the damgaes and severity of damages here in Murfreesboro, TN and surrounding counties for TN. God Bless everyone for recovery. Rena C.
April 11, 2009		Businessmann Can't the military use Navy Seals? or Frog Men?
April 11, 2009		Businessmann They might have to sink the life boat some how? to throw the pirates of their game then try and rush in take them out while their trying not to drown and save the captain.
April 12, 2009		danbloom any chance of this ireport getting picked up for the weekly show in coming weeks? http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-242455
April 13, 2009		MrIsaacs I agree with all the tips given above. However, I'd like to add just one more: submit reports because you love journalism, not because you want to be on TV. I've had some problems generating traffic to my page, but then I realized that it's not about that. My goal is to build a portfolio that shows my passion. It's not about becoming a "Star" on iReport.
April 14, 2009		Ireportphoto I agree MrIsaacs, follow your passions but also strive to be the best you can be. I have always been a behind the scenes person. Ireports.com has given me the vehicle and the advice on how to grow beyond my comfort zone. I take their advice seriously and I did try one on camera video shoot. It scared the bajebbies out of me. I've learned that Ireporting is about doing what it professionally takes to truthfully get the up to the minute news out to the world along with a little fluff. For me it is also about being creative and eager for professional teachings and skilled growth. I wish you well on the development of your portfolio.
April 14, 2009		LMLilli Re: How to protect shipping from the Pirates Create a Convoy System protected by the US Navy and other Countries as well. Create narrow sea lanes for all commercial ships. Ban all pirate ships from the sea lanes by creating "no go" exclusion zones for them. Install 24 hour electronic sensors on all ships.