Audiences are expecting more multimedia online today to accompany news and feature stories. But what's the best way to fit it into a reporter's busy schedule? How do you choose between video, audio or slideshows?

For many of us lone reporters, gathering extra material and schlepping more equipment in the field is just one more thing to do. So, here are some tips on how to decide what you’ll be gathering and how to make the most of your time.

Using Still Photos, Storytelling Strengths, Visuals!

Show the texture, color, and emotion of what you’re covering.

Slideshows are particularly good for showing process, action, reflection and close ups. This media type is not great for "people standing around."

Slideshows can excel at narrative storytelling. For captions, don't underestimate importance of the text. Keep captions short, 3 lines is our rule of thumb.

Easily consumed online – slideshows and photos are not a major commitment for the end user. Acquired photos, personal or historical or archival can really add to the personal arc of a slideshow.

What You Can Produce: captioned photo slide show, here’s an example: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129129794

Audio slide show: http://www.kqed.org/quest/television/web-extra-california-newts-of-brion...

Reporter-narrated slide show – a behind-the-scenes tour, here’s an example: http://www.kqed.org/quest/radio/-web-extra-generating-energy-right-at-ho...

Super simple. Just add photos to story’s webpage or blog post: http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2011/03/16/removing-the-guesswork-out-of-...

Tools: still camera, SLR, or point and shoot or smart phone with six, or more, megapixels.

How Much Time it Takes: little extra time in the field. Half a day for production of complex web pieces.

Using Audio Storytelling Strengths

Hey, you’re already gathering it. Audio can convey place or emotion. It can humanize or create a personal connection more easily than text can. Use content that was cut from your piece or that covers an interesting tangent.

What You Can Produce: extended interviews online, Audio slideshows, Embed audio clips in a blog post.

Here is an example: http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2011/02/04/local-cheese-makers-fear-a-raw...

Tools: audio recording gear, audio, editing program

How Much Time it Takes: very little extra time to a few hours.

Using Video Storytelling Strengths

Puts you there, and shows rather than tells. Can be an excellent visual illustration of concepts or processes. Good for action! Can help describe complex tools, places, or machinery. Not great for talking head interviews. Think short!

Unless you’re creating a complex piece, web videos should be 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Scientists are increasingly making their own media. Always check to see if your subject has captured something that you can use. Again, other acquired video can include archival or personal video.

Here is an example: http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/web-extra-emotions-from-the-inside-a...

Also, check out KQED’s Climate Watch site to see how our reporter used video from someone covering the tsunami is Crescent City. Just scroll down to, “Crescent City” http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/

What You Can Produce: short video clips to accompany your story, embedded in blog or on the story page 1-3 minute features

Tools: flip video camera. Other video camera. Some still cameras also take video.

How Much Time it Takes: anywhere from a few hours to a whole day

Using Text Storytelling Strengths

· Sometimes plain old text is the best media: http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2011/03/25/how-green-is-biomass-energy/#m...

· Our traffic has gone up fourfold when we have text for a story.

· Good for data and stats. It can efficiently convey a lot of information.

· Text is extremely “shareable” and search-engine friendly.

· Think lists (like top ten) or provide links to other resources: http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioni...

· Blog posts and articles can provide a place for community dialogue and comments.

· Personal – can bring out unique voices of producers/reporters

What You Can Produce: Blog posts, Articles, Story transcripts, Lists

How Much Time it Takes: a few hours to half a day