There a lot of talk about how traditional media just doesn’t get social media, but for Q13’s Lily Jang, that’s not the case.
Lily loves her some Twitter. I mean, LOVES it. If you follow her tweet stream, you’d know Lily is on Twitter at all times of the day; she tweets when she’s co-anchoring Q13 Fox News This Morning, when she makes public appearances, and even in her free time. When it comes to Twitter, Lily is serious Seattle broadcast news Twitterati. So when I recently had the opportunity to talk Twitter with her (which, of course, was set up through Twitter—and we’ve come full circle!), I was absolutely pumped.
For Lily, being a broadcast journalist and a public persona, Twitter provides a wide variety of opportunities for her to connect with people. Beyond just using it to share news stories, she uses Twitter to engage her audience, crowd-source ideas and information, and share relevant content to inform her audience of breaking news or what’s coming up in the next segment, just to name a few. And it’s here where I think a lot of local broadcast journalists stop. But Lily takes her use one giant step further, as she sees Twitter as an opportunity for her (and the Q13 Fox News This Morning team) to open up to their audience and give them a real chance to get to know who they’re sharing their mornings with.
And it’s the sharing aspect of social media that Lily truly understands. She says she loves Twitter because it gives everyone an opportunity to have a voice and if you have something to say, you should say it. In her words, “It’s the best place for what’s important to you. You ask it on Twitter, I’ll report it on TV.” Seriously, how cool is that to hear that from a television journalist?
A lot of Seattle broadcast journalists use Twitter, but being something of a fan of social media, I know that not a lot of them know how to use it to it’s full potential. In fact, VERY few of them use it beyond just a glorified RSS feed. What really impresses me most about Lily is that she “gets” it. With her community, Lily uses Twitter to engage, listen, and help, all while being open and authentic. One example, I can think of is this: Just last week, she started a conversation with her followers about weird food combinations. Why? Not because it related to anything she was doing on-air, because it really didn’t. She tweeted about it because she was genuinely interested in engaging her community and was curious. Cool? Very.
And I think that’s what the coolest part is; whether she’s on the morning news, emceeing an event, or just chillin’ in her free-time, what you see of Lily is what she is in real life—down-to-earth, funny, and friendly.
Big thanks to Lily for giving me the opportunity to meet with her. Thank you to Jennifer Cabala as well. 
P.S. Lily was raised in Houston for part of her life. She taught me what the difference between a drawl and a twang was. I had no idea.
The Basics:
1. What is your name?
Lily Jang
2. E-mail?
LILY@Q13FOX.COM
3. What is your occupation/company?
Broadcast Journalist.
4. Originally from? When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
“Originally,” originally from Vietnam of Chinese descent. Raised in Denver and Houston. I moved to Seattle for my jobby job nine years ago!
5. How can people find you on the web?
Q13FOX.COM and twitter.com/LilyJang
Social Media:
6. Why do you like social media?
Twitter is the best thing since my Commodore 64. Jokes aside, it’s been an amazing way to connect with viewers firsthand and pass on relevant, fun, or just interesting information, not to mention breaking news the second it happens.
7. How do you utilize social media?
I’ve made social media a way for viewers to not only get the latest local, national, and international breaking news but to give everyone a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes at Q13 FOX. It’s the rapport among my TV family (Mark, MJ, Adam, and me) that makes my job so fun. I want you to see our shenanigans that you don’t get to see on TV and just get to know who we really are. Twitter is also allowing me to provide you with links to videos, more in-depth interviews, and stories on Q13FOX.COM that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. Great promotional tool.
8. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
It’s the future. Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home mom, selling a product, motivational speaker, or presenting the news, it’s the place where people gather to spread their message. Twitter is the platform where anyone and everyone can be heard.
9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Shenanigans, hijinx, and all-around tomfoolery.
10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
I think we absolutely “get it”! It’s the wave of the future and we are savvy enough to be 1 of the top 10 cities in the world to be active on Twitter. Tweet. I mean, sweet!
11. Do you have a good social media success story or “wow” moment?
It’s amazing how much support my co-worker and friend, Bill Wixey, has gotten on Twitter since he announced he’s battling cancer. It’s been a way for the community to rally behind him, raise money, and form support groups. Need I say more? (Oh, my 7th-grade violin teacher found me on Twitter. He still scares me to this day.)
12. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about? Please include dates, locations, etc. Where can more information be found?
N/A
Just For Fun:
13. What are your hobbies?
Eating and cooking. Believe it or not, I don’t watch much TV. I love, love, love Seattle summers and I’m always on the go. I’ve been known to accidentally double or triple book my friends. Whoops. Always outdoors discovering a new, great hike and just enjoying life!
14. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Locally in Washington: Lake Chelan. It’s close enough to get away and enjoy really hot weather for a few days and do some wine tasting. Leavenworth is pretty darn cool, too. Outside our state, gimme some hot Hawaiian sun and an umbrella drink and I’m good.
15. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
Asking me about my favorite restaurant is like asking a parent which is their favorite child! Ok, if I had to narrow it down, SouthGate Korean Food in the Factoria area. Also, Wild Ginger, Boka for happy hour, pizza at Tutta Bella, Thai Ginger for Asian, and Waterfront Seafood Grill for its outdoor deck. I can go on…….
16. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Boating, hiking, running Green Lake, backyard BBQs, and outdoor patios w/drink in hand and overlooking the Puget Sound.
17. Most embarrassing CD you own?
Milli Vanilla. Stop laughing.
18. Any hidden talents?
I speak three languages fluently: Cantonese, Vietnamese, and English. Also, point to a car on the road and I can tell you its make, model, and year. My dream job is to host a show like Motor Week or Top Gear.
19. What would you like everyone to know about you?
Hands down… I have the best job in the world. I do my hair and makeup everyday in 20 minutes flat for TV (and yes, I do it myself!)
Lily Jang Links
- Lily Jang on Twitter
- Lily Jang on LinkedIn
- Lily Jang on Q13.com
- Q13 Fox News This Morning Facebook Fan Page
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