Storytelling
Maryland Today
Maryland Today is the University of Maryland’s official daily news and information website, published by the Office of Marketing and Communications. It showcases articles about university news, research advances, campus events and faculty achievements, along with features about students, faculty, staff and alums, all to connect and inform the Terp community.
Reach
E-digest
- Emailed at 6 a.m. weekdays to 55,000 members of the campus community and other subscribers during the academic year.
- Sent each Wednesday during the summer.
Website
- Updated daily with two or three stories, news briefs, an event listing and more during the academic year, and less frequently in the summer.
- Home to thousands of archived articles.
Audience
- Faculty, staff and students
- Alums
- Parents
- Trustees and other VIPs
- News media
- Other external visitors
Topics Covered
University Priorities
- Student experience
- Research, with an emphasis on impact
- The arts
- Innovative classes and teaching
- Faculty and staff accolades
- University news announcements
- Major gift announcements
Campus Life
- Previews or coverage of significant campus events
- Features about students, faculty and staff
- Series: A Peek Inside, What It Takes, Take This Class! and Whatever Happened to…
Alum Achievements
Work With the Maryland Today Team
The site is a partnership every day with campus communications colleagues; Maryland Today amplifies much of their content. Pitch a topic you are planning to write about or request Office of Marketing and Communication support by emailing today@umd.edu or filling out the story pitch form.
Wondering if you have a good story? Events/developments are more newsworthy …
- the sooner they are reported (timeliness).
- the closer they are to the community reading about them (proximity).
- when they affect a greater number of people (impact).
- when they involve public figures (prominence).
- the more out of the ordinary they are (uniqueness).
- when they involve an issue that is top of mind in the public (relevance).
Tips for Writing Engaging Content
- Craft a pithy, punchy and informative headline. Don’t use people’s names.
- Write a lede (the opening sentences or paragraph) that makes the reader care — and want more.
- Don’t bury the news.
- Do answer the who, what, when, where and why.
- Use vigorous language throughout the story.
- Avoid professional or scientific jargon.
- Use quotes judiciously. They are spice, not the substance of the story.
- Structure the story intentionally. Each paragraph should build on the previous one to keep readers engaged.
Think about the format: Is the story straight news, a Q&A or a listicle, or would a standalone photo with an extended caption do the job?
Plan the art accompanying your story: a photo or photos, an illustration or other visual element. We can help you work with OMC's Creative team if you need ideas.
Promoting Your Story
Maryland Today is often a launchpad for content that appears on other university channels, including
- Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Threads)
- Terp and Enterprise magazines
- The Shell (the Alumni Association’s monthly e-newsletter)
- Research Brief
- Legislative Brief
- umd.edu
Maryland Today stories also frequently net local and national media coverage, thanks to a close partnership with OMC’s Media Relations team.
Examples:
Editorial Style Guide
Refer to the Editorial Style Guide when writing stories for your unit. Using a consistent style, along with clear and concise writing, is more efficient, produces more readable copy and strengthens the university's messages.