What are some ways to make your news stories more interactive?

1 Quizzes and polls

One way to make your news stories more interactive is to include quizzes and polls that test your readers' knowledge, opinions, or preferences. Quizzes and polls can help you generate feedback, data, and insights from your audience, as well as increase their retention and interest. You can use online platforms like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to create and embed quizzes and polls in your news stories.

2 Multimedia and graphics

Another way to make your news stories more interactive is to use multimedia and graphics that enhance your narrative and visual appeal. Multimedia and graphics can include videos, audio clips, images, animations, maps, charts, and infographics. Multimedia and graphics can help you illustrate complex or abstract concepts, show different perspectives or angles, and provide context and background. You can use online tools like Canva, Piktochart, or Lumen5 to create and embed multimedia and graphics in your news stories.

3 User-generated content

A third way to make your news stories more interactive is to use user-generated content that showcases your audience's voices and experiences. User-generated content can include comments, reviews, ratings, testimonials, photos, videos, or social media posts. User-generated content can help you build trust and credibility, foster community and engagement, and diversify your sources and viewpoints. You can use online platforms like Disqus, Bazaarvoice, or Storify to collect and display user-generated content in your news stories.

4 Live chats and Q&A sessions

A fourth way to make your news stories more interactive is to use live chats and Q&A sessions that allow your audience to communicate with you or your experts in real time. Live chats and Q&A sessions can help you answer questions, clarify doubts, address concerns, or solicit feedback from your audience, as well as create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. You can use online tools like Slack, Zoom, or Crowdcast to host and embed live chats and Q&A sessions in your news stories.

5 Interactive timelines and maps

A fifth way to make your news stories more interactive is to use interactive timelines and maps that enable your audience to explore and navigate your data and information. Interactive timelines and maps can help you show changes, trends, patterns, or relationships over time or space, as well as provide additional details and layers. You can use online tools like TimelineJS, StoryMapJS, or Google Maps to create and embed interactive timelines and maps in your news stories.

6 Gamification and challenges

A sixth way to make your news stories more interactive is to use gamification and challenges that motivate your audience to take action or achieve goals. Gamification and challenges can help you reward your audience for their participation, involvement, or learning, as well as increase their fun and satisfaction. You can use online tools like Kahoot, Quizizz, or Classcraft to create and embed gamification and challenges in your news stories.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?