One of the key points is that we should try and pick the right medium for the message. Some things work best as pie charts, text, video, interactives, and as far as possible we should commission content in the right medium. Here is a quick guide and some inspiring examples of what is doable right now, even if you are just starting out.
I think the biggest skill is actually interviewing, talking to people, making them feel relaxed and comfortable speaking to you. Let alone photographing/recording/ filming... When you're interviewing people, don't project your nervousness onto them, because they'll give it right back.
Audio can be intimate, and technically at least, simpler to produce than video. It's my favourite medium to consume, and whilst it doesn't usually 'go viral' (although for great storytelling check out the viral smash Serial) it's a huge player in modern media.
Check out this great short radio piece. Would the little boy have been so free if he'd had a camera all up in his grill? I doubt it. The whole thing was produced in 24 hours about a young boy with Tourette's syndrome.
You can enter the 24hr radio race this year if you fancy getting involved. They just email you a topic and you have 24 hours to make a 3 minute piece. Intense, but great fun, and will sharpen your storytelling skills no end!
Video is great for showing rather than just telling; and proving rather than convincing. Both key concepts in good production. This is a really simple, fun one, that gets the point across about collaborative writing software *starts falling asleep*... oh wait a story, 'OK I'm interested...' What happens next). We could tell a great medical story about our products through screenshots. There I said it...
This is a bit of a trick one, as it's amazing and quite complicated to film, but shows a simple premise. We wouldn't speculatively interview people like this. But we should be seeking stories in the same way. Maybe someone has a great story, of how they got back to health, or how running (or other activity) is really important to them. Then we should film them running. Getting people to do stuff can relax them and help get a better interview. Plus it's more interesting to watch!
Slideshows can be simple ways to bring your audio into the visual world. Check this lovely short about outdoor swimming.
Photography is a great way to start experimenting with multimedia. Here are my key tips for better photography...
Settings - shoot the highest quality photo you can L or Raw, perhaps HDR mode.
Zoom with your feet. Never 'zoom in' on a mobile phone, move as close to the subject as you can.
Process these photos. There are lots of apps that can improve your photos and it's a great way to experiment in the multimedia production world. Check instagram/VSCOcam
Don't compete with the light, make sure the light is illuminating your subject.
Think about composition, balance vs imbalance, colour, angle, ART [what does it make you feel?) and how can you make your subject comfortable? Some nice mobile phone photography here
Look at Humans of New York, we could all be doing more of this. Our health stories are complex, and sometimes we need to help people see how they fit in. When we meet interesting characters we should be finding, and telling, their stories. Creating curiosity gaps in the audience and making them want to find out more. Making them sit forward and pay attention.
Follow lots of interesting people on Twitter particularly people from parallel industries. The more diverse social networks you have, the better ideas you generate (I heard this is true)...
I'm @thomhoffman, you can see a list of who I follow here, and that's a pretty good place to start!