Revenue strategies
Local communities and local news need a new economic narrative: Why not create it together?
If local news is so critical to the health, economic and civic success of a community, why are local news organizations an afterthought in economic development conversations? And what would it take to change that?
Create a newsletter worth reading: Tips from the experts
Tatyana Monnay is the RJI Student Innovation Fellow at the Associated Press. This summer our student fellows will be sharing dispatches from their fellowships in newsrooms across the country for Innovation in Focus. Newsletters can be a powerful product to add to your newsroom to inform your community and engage them in topics they care … Continued
Can pay-by-text micropayments become a viable revenue source for newspapers?
COVID-19 accelerated what we’ve known for some time: Newsrooms cannot rely on advertising. Now more than ever newsrooms need to grow reader revenue — soliciting direct support from their readers. We have subscriptions. A new study from the International News Media Association (INMA) found that 39% of digital news publishers across 33 countries charged for … Continued
Voice delivered news: Innovation skill
Integrating content with voice assistants is easier than ever
Five takeaways from a new study of local digital news publishers
For-profit news startups are more likely to succeed than other small businesses, but many owners aren’t getting rich. I’ve been tracking these local, independent, digital news outlets for more than a decade and started Michele’s List in 2010. Now, with an assist from the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, I updated my database and surveyed … Continued
RJI Fellow wants to make media, tech companies more aware of need to preserve content
Nineteen of 21 news outlets weren’t doing anything to archive web content. A lack of awareness and action in this area has driven Neil Mara to leverage his industry experience and contacts to help find archiving solutions for media companies.
Revenue wrap up: Donors, fees and more
We wrap up our summer series with a few more revenue models to explore.
Crowdfunded campaigns help radio station grow audience and revenue for digital site
A crowdfunded campaign last year helped KPCC (89.3), a radio station in Los Angeles, breathe new life into a shutdown community website dedicated to social, entertainment and local news.
Video as revenue: Start with listening
This summer for Innovation in Focus, we are speaking with news organizations that are exploring new, emerging or unique revenue models. Alabama Media Group launched Red Clay Media in 2017 as a video driven revenue stream. It began with videos created in the newsroom that inspired engagement from their readers. Today it is a thriving … Continued
The Tyler Loop: Growing membership with events and newsletters
In a small town with slightly more than 100,000 people, known for its annual rose festival, news site The Tyler Loop is growing a membership model with events and a newsletter to collaborate, not compete with, other local news organizations.