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

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

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 contributor model

Rhett Power, Moderator, Columnist at CNBC, Moderator Rajul Varshneya, Columnist at Forbes Whitney Evans, KSL.com with Deseret Digital Media One of the emerging content plays taking root is the “contributor model.” Low-cost, highly targeted, and leveraging the power of influencers and thought leaders, this content thrives on sites ranging from Inc. to Forbes to CNBC … Continued