I read it in the newspaper.

[Jolly]

Think you'll find this interesting...

Link to video

[Copper]

The local daily paper is now up to $76 per month. I don't know what the circulation is, but I assume it is shrinking.

[Jolly]

I thought these guys had an interesting business model:

1. Small writing staff - just two guys, and editor/reporter and a reporter.
2. Concentration on local news and sports (of course), but also an investigative component.
3. A state-wide consortium. Shared stories with other papers that might have stories of interest.
4. Price. It's $1.

[Aqua Letifer]

@Jolly said in I read it in the newspaper.:

Think you'll find this interesting...

Link to video

The premise is pretty basic, and it's correct. The money's got to come from somewhere.

These days, all ancillary sources like adverts are gone. That only leaves the readership.

So, how's it gonna be? Pledge drives? Subscription fees? Patreon? Gotta choose one, but it's got to come from readers. Public money would be a disaster.

[Jolly]

@Aqua-Letifer said in I read it in the newspaper.:

@Jolly said in I read it in the newspaper.:

Think you'll find this interesting...

Link to video

The premise is pretty basic, and it's correct. The money's got to come from somewhere.

These days, all ancillary sources like adverts are gone. That only leaves the readership.

So, how's it gonna be? Pledge drives? Subscription fees? Patreon? Gotta choose one, but it's got to come from readers. Public money would be a disaster.

Hybrid. Subscription delivered by mail/newspaper machine/Patreon with perks. And do your best to try to capture the public notice business.

[Aqua Letifer]

@Jolly said in I read it in the newspaper.:

@Aqua-Letifer said in I read it in the newspaper.:

@Jolly said in I read it in the newspaper.:

Think you'll find this interesting...

Link to video

The premise is pretty basic, and it's correct. The money's got to come from somewhere.

These days, all ancillary sources like adverts are gone. That only leaves the readership.

So, how's it gonna be? Pledge drives? Subscription fees? Patreon? Gotta choose one, but it's got to come from readers. Public money would be a disaster.

Hybrid. Subscription delivered by mail/newspaper machine/Patreon with perks. And do your best to try to capture the public notice business.

I agree with that. Couple of thoughts:

1. It's critical to meet people where they're at financially. Almost all donation models follow a Pareto curve, so you better make it dead simple for people to donate $1 and $2—there's a ton of revenue you can generate with that, as long as it's easy. But to bump up the bigger donations, you need to provide more and it needs to be worthwhile.
2. This is one of those industries where you can't TikTok your way into financial solvency, you need to go after people who have a stake. Folks who chose to live in the area, who want their kids to grow up there, who want to retire there, etc. Basically the folks for whom local news actually matters. And for the love of God stay way from the clickbait. Everyone in charge of generating money for local newspapers should read Kevin Kelly's "1000 true fans."

[Mik]

@Jolly said in I read it in the newspaper.:

I thought these guys had an interesting business model:

1. Small writing staff - just two guys, and editor/reporter and a reporter.
2. Concentration on local news and sports (of course), but also an investigative component.
3. A state-wide consortium. Shared stories with other papers that might have stories of interest.
4. Price. It's $1.

My brother just started stringing for a similar publication up around Akron. Should be interesting.