Content is king; or so everyone says. So, if it feels like there’s always a new story or viral story to be aware of, you’re not alone. Even Facebook took away its trending news ticker — that’s how in-your-face a lot of headlines and content can seem nowadays.
A 2017 survey found that, while 95 percent of Americans say they follow the news regularly, more than half feel some sort of stress or fatigue from taking in the day’s headlines. Indeed, the rise of 24-hour news networks makes it feel hard to keep up with the news.
For those who have a tough time keeping up, dreading small talk, constantly check social media or feeling anxious when someone brings up current events, we’ve got you covered. Here are some easy ways to get your news in easy-to-digest formats, which will keep you informed and customize the content that you want to see.
NPR’s Up First
Want your news the short and sweet way? Podcasts are an excellent way to get caught up on the day’s events while driving, walking the dog or finally washing your mountain of dishes.
Though there are several fantastic news apps out there (here are a list of suggestions for you), NPR’s Up First is one of the best. Just launched in 2017, it delivers the biggest ideas and stories in about 10 minutes, and it’s like listening to a conversation about the daily news.
Hosts Rachel Martin, David Greene and Steve Inskeep cover everything from the latest political scandals to which films are reigning in theaters.
TheSkimm
Launched by two roommates and former NBC producers, The Daily Skimm is an email newsletter that will hit your inbox every weekday at 6 a.m. Written in a casual, tongue-in-cheek tone, it breaks down exactly what readers need to know about the most important news of the day, delivering content that everyone’s talking about.
You’ll get a mix of news and links on culture, politics, international affairs and more. One of the best parts is the links, since it gives readers access to more detailed content that they otherwise wouldn’t have known about.
TheSkimm’s website is also home to several guides that dive deeper into topics like the World Cup, last-minute holiday gifts, investing and the Iran nuclear deal.
NextDraft
More of an afternoon person? Let Dave Pell, startup investor and well-known news junkie, give you a breakdown on the day’s headlines with NextDraft.
Full of snark and puns, this daily newsletter and app is perfect for those who find global warming and gun control as important as World Penguin Day and viral cat videos. There are typically 10 key topics each day, with the final one — The Bottom of the News — delivering off-beat stories and content you’d normally need to crawl Reddit for.
Take a break from tweeting about your annoying morning commute and use Twitter to get your daily news instead.
It’s easy to turn your feed into a daily news reader by creating a Twitter list of the media you want to keep tabs on. Nearly every news outlet and journalist has a handle you can follow, and you can even create different lists based on different interests and topics. For example, create one list that follows national news sites, and another that follows influencers in your industry.
If you want it all laid out for you, check out one of our favorite Twitter lists, which was curated by Patrick LaForge. The New York Times breaking news editor created a public list that touts the latest headlines from 58 top news sources from across the globe. Think the Washington Post, USA Today, NBC News and Reuters.
LinkedIn Pulse
To stay ahead of industry news — and what your colleagues are reading — download the LinkedIn Pulse. Available for download on both the Google Play and Apple stores, this app is an online news aggregation feed that generates news stories, blog posts and gives you a way to interact with experts and influencers.
Using your LinkedIn credentials, you’ll receive a customized feed based on your industry, professional interests and connections. As a plus, Pulse also gives you a way to start creating your own content. This can be a smart move for those looking to grow their soft business skills, positioning themselves as thought leaders in their industry.
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