First, a couple of overarching ideas to keep in mind:
Ownership
It is important to give your interns a sense of ownership for their contributions to the website. While they will be spending some time helping with repetitive tasks like uploading content, it is important to balance this out with more meaningful work that they can put their name on. This is their opportunity to grow professionally and put their stamp on something relevant to their interests and resume. Interns will perform better when they have a sense of ownership of their work.
Youth
The fact that interns are (in most cases) younger than the rest of your staff is a plus. Their demographic group is web-savvy, reads blogs regularly, uses social media, and is familiar with online-appropriate content. Keep this in mind when you solicit ideas from interns (see #6). Something that may not sound like such a great idea to you at first may actually prove to be a great way to draw in and interest a younger online audience. Ask the interns what websites they like and what their friends read regularly. Then check out these sites to see what the younger demographic is seeking on the web.
I’ve hired my interns...now what should they do?
1. Weekly features on the blogs
Have an introductory meeting with your online interns where you get to know them a little bit and ask about their interests. After this meeting, you can assign each intern a weekly feature on one of your blogs. If an intern expresses a passion for fashion, they could interview a fashionable local on the street about their style every week. A foodie might contribute weekly chef interviews. This gives each intern something to “own” on the blog, which they are responsible for turning in every week.
2. Video
Send interns out with the video camera to record web videos (after giving a tutorial on how to work the camera!) This is a good assignment for an outgoing intern who is not afraid to approach people for “man on the street”-type interviews. They can take the camera to local events, restaurant openings, or just ask people on the street a “question of the day.”
3. Archive projects
Have interns look through old issues or your archives database to find relevant “Evergreen” content. In February, they can leaf through old issues to pick out still-relevant and fun Valentine’s Day content; in November, they’ll look for good Thanksgiving recipes. Interns can also help with the (often mundane) tasks of putting old articles into your Content Management System. This is especially important for pre-launch preparations.
4. Neighborhood guides
You might have a couple of interns who are native to your city or region, and some others who are not as familiar with the territory. Assigning neighborhood guides--a great feature for your site--is fun way for all interns to immerse themselves in the area. Advise them to do some research first (talk to people who live and work in that neighborhood!), then head out to spend a day or an afternoon exploring their assigned neighborhood.
5. Facebook
Most likely, your student interns are intimately familiar with Facebook. Work with them to create a Facebook Fan Page for your website, and they can take charge of updating it regularly with links to content on your site, photos and conversation-provoking questions.
6. Ask them for pitches!
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