Flipping the Switch: How to change vendors without losing your mind.

We’re experts at this. Social News Desk is a team of news people who now run a software company. So it’s no exaggeration to say that at SND: we’ve been there. We

We’re experts at this. Social News Desk is a team of news people who now run a software company. So it’s no exaggeration to say that at SND: we’ve been there. We know what it’s like to change software vendors in a newsroom. The good, the bad and the ugly. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be torture. In fact, #TeamSND has successfully migrated more than 2000 newsrooms onto our technology. In 2016, then Nexstar Vice President Tom O’Brien oversaw the rollout of Social News Desk to more than 30 of his newsrooms. O’Brien said of the process: “You and your team have been great in helping us get this launched. We’re bullish on the potential so happy to have you as part of the team.”

Fun Fact: Social News Desk onboarded O’Brien’s 30 newsrooms in less than 4 weeks.

How Do We Do It?

The Social News Desk platform is designed with news people in mind. Our “Test Drive Team” is made up of a group of journalists who help to shape the features and capabilities. This is why SND is so easy to learn and use. Plus, our years of experience in training large publishing groups means we know how to customize the process for each company, including flexible training times and multiple sessions offered to ensure every staff member understands the SND product suite. Penny Riordan, oversaw the roll-out of SND to the GateHouse Media Group, consisting of more than 400 newspapers. Riordan says: “Sarah and everyone at SND have been super supportive.”

“I just want to say that this is exceptional. The dashboard, the flow, the training… This is great.” – Heather Nagel, Morris Communications

How Long Does It Take?

Because our training is so streamlined, we’re able to fully train an entire publishing group in just a few weeks. We start by working with leadership to understand each newsroom’s structure, then we train all users via screenshare and web conference sessions. It’s quick and easy because our team is made up of former journalists – so we know what it’s like to be on the front line of digital newsgathering and distribution.

Brian Gregory, News Director at KWCH says: “Thanks again for an extremely informative and easy to follow session on SND.  Your excitement for the product translates to an easy to understand presentation and our folks appreciate the hands-on chance to learn.”

“As you know newsrooms deal with a bunch of different vendors and many of them just plain suck at letting us know what they are working on–and incorporating feedback from the folks who use their product in the real world. I continue to point to the company you’ve built and continue to grow as a great example of what to do to create and keep customers as fans.”

– Kirk Varner, Vice President of News, WSPA-TV

Want to learn more about Social News Desk? Contact us!

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