by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
During a recent phone conversation with a publisher, she told me: “We have a designer who does that.”
I had seen her paper. She doesn’t have a designer.
What she has is a person …
The House Ways & Means Committee just released tax reform legislation that sets the stage for a tax package to move through Congress. We have heard that there is still a risk of Congress limiting the business deduction of advertising …
CEO Says Profits Drive Misinformation on the Internet
October 24, 2017
Arlington, VA – News Media Alliance President and CEO David Chavern today called upon online content distribution platforms – specifically Google and Facebook – “to make the same commitments …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Headlines are the entrance ramps to effective advertising. The better the headline, the higher the readership. The key word is “engagement.” How can you engage readers – with just a few …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Speeding up your workflow while improving your design in Adobe InDesign
At the 21st session of the Newspaper Institute last week, Ed Henninger and I did something we’ve never done before. We taught …
The U.S. Postal Service has issued a warning that the 2018 postage increase will likely be its last modest increase confined by a 2006 law.
National Newspaper Association President Susan Rowell, publisher of the Lancaster (SC) News, announced to community …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” — Steve Jobs.
That’s it. In one brief sentence.
Of course, readers want a newspaper that looks right…and …
by Kirsten Ballard
Social Media and Blog Editor at the News Media Alliance
This National Newspaper Week, I’d like to call attention to publishers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The utter devastation these islands faced from Hurricane Irma …
by David Chavern
News Media Alliance, CEO
Is your news making you unhealthy?
Think about what you consume: Is it click-bait and garbage shared by a crazy cousin on Facebook? Do you go out of your way to consume nutritious …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Focus groups can change the way you create your newspaper
I guess it comes with experience (that sounds better than “age”). In the “old days” when I visited a newspaper, it was almost …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
During the past few years, I’ve used quotes about newspapers to lead off my weekly blog updates. Those of you who follow the blog will recognize some of these. Those of you who don’t…well, …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
I love golf, but I’m a terrible golfer. I’m the only golfer I know who has lost someone else’s golf ball. On a best-ball round, I mistakenly hit the wrong ball …
1. To meet people
A big reason for going to conferences is to meet and meet up with people. Conferences bring together people from all different geographical areas who share a common profession or field, and are a great way …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
“If someone has a selling personality, we can teach them the rest.”
“We need to find ways to give our staff the tools they need to get the job done. Training is necessary …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Last month’s column focused on design critiques: working at improving your design by taking a look at what you’ve recently done.
I suggested then that those critiques be done every quarter…at least every six …
by Jim Pumarlo
Newsroom Writing Trainer
Public records are the foundation for reporting a range of stories important to your readers.
Police reports reveal a string of continuing break-ins in a neighborhood. Minutes from a school board committee reveal discussions …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Don, who manages a newspaper sales department, is always looking for ways to strengthen customer relations. “We understand the importance of first impressions,” he told me. “Know something about the prospect’s …
APME’s NewsTrain will bring its high-quality, affordable training to Indiana, Arizona, South Carolina, Texas and Ontario in 2018-19.
Here are the locations for the workshops, which have an early-bird rate of $75 each to attend:
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Kevin considers the options when asked by a Tennessee publisher
While meeting with publishers one-on-one at conventions, the conversations run the gamut of running a newspaper or newspaper group. Over the weekend, while …
Into the Issues
July 2017
By Al Cross, Director of the Institute for
Rural Journalism and Community Issues
In a challenging environment with fewer resources, greater vulnerabilities and increasing attacks from politicians and the politically motivated, how should news organizations …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
When was the last time you gathered your staff and took a close look at your newspaper’s design?
Is it working for your readers? Is it easy to produce on deadline?
Is it contemporary? …
Jeanie Hankins Williams is the new publisher at the Wickenburg Sun, following the June 30 retirement of 27-year publisher Kevin Cloe.
A Wickenburg native, Williams graduated from Grand Canyon University before working in the newspaper industry in Wyoming for close …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Jared told me about a technique his sales team uses. “I learned it in a seminar years ago, and I’ve seen it used in different industries. It’s based on presenting both …
A message from Trish Barwick-Hoagland, Advertising Manager, Apache Junction-Gold Canyon News
On July 3,2017 The Apache Junction Gold Canyon News will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. We’ve seen so many changes over the last 20 years, the most momentous, the loss …
To help reporters understand this important topic, Journalist’s Resource has gathered several key research studies and reports, including those that examine the conditions inside a vehicle that contribute to heat stroke.
Read the complete resource file here.…
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Answering questions about backups and text on four plates
Convention season has been a lot of fun for me this year. I just returned from visits with associations across the Midwest U.S. and …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Many community newspapers put strong effort into covering high school sports. They understand that their high school teams are a key ingredient in the glue that holds the community together.
When designing their sports …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Saundra’s experience as a sales manager has given her a unique perspective on client relationships. “Most sales people in the advertising business are taught to discover problems and prescribe solutions to …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
What is the future of the printed word? It depends on who you ask.
I don’t know about you, but my life seems to get busier with each passing day. I just finished …
Charles Edward (Ed) Barker, 72, was part owner and editor of the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon News since its first edition on July, 1997. He was looking forward to celebrating its 20-year anniversary in two months.
He peacefully passed away on …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Poll after study after survey tells us readers will not read a story that’s more than 15-20 inches long. They just won’t.
So, what do you think they’ll do with a story that’s 60 …
The University of Arizona School of Journalism will honor New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet with the 2017 Zenger Award for Press Freedom for championing the news media’s rights to question authority and for defending the public’s right to …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Catherine climbed the ranks from sales person to sales manager at her paper. “Although I’ve been in the business for a long time,” she told me, “there’s always a new way …
by Ed Henninger
I’m always amused—and a bit disappointed—when someone tells me “I just love breaking the rules” of design.
More often than not, that person isn’t breaking any rules at all—because he/she doesn’t even know the rules. You can’t …
By Jim Pumarlo
What’s the first word you associate with editorials? Editorials can serve a variety of roles.
They educate. What are the current rental codes and how would they be strengthened under a proposed ordinance before the city council? …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
In April, I was asked to speak on the topic, “New Tools for Newspapers” at an industry-related conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Taking the easy way out, I quickly went online and asked …
It’s a homecoming of sorts as Duane Beyal, former reporter and editor of the Navajo Times, has been appointed to be the Navajo Times’ editor again.
Beyal replaces Candace Begody who stepped down as editor in early 2016 to run …
The Sunlight Foundation is teaming up with the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, Galvanize, and the Arizona Institute for Digital Progress for TCamp 2017, May 22.
The event will bring “together the best and brightest from the government, developer …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
You may have heard the old story about the door-to-door salesman who was selling vacuum cleaners way out in the country. When a lady came to the door, he dramatically emptied …
ProPublica will be awarding 12 scholarships to students across the country to attend the conferences of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists. And for the first time, expanding its scholarship program to send …
The News Media Alliance on March 17 filed comments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) to retain the inflation-capped pricing structure which has been a part of the postal pricing regime since 2006.
The PRC is conducting a review of …
by David Chavern
News Media Alliance, CEO
2016 was the year of “fake news.” It dominated the election cycle, it took over Facebook feeds and even caused crime.
But as inundated as we were with fake news, it is …
Extensive consumer research defines first set of the most objectionable ad experiences
Washington, DC, Brussels – The Coalition for Better Ads today released initial Better Ads Standards for desktop and mobile web that reflect consumer advertising preferences in North American …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Two weeks ago, I found myself awake at 3 a.m., unable to get back to sleep. After tossing and turning for more than an hour, I decided I might as well get some …
The Editor&Publisher’s annual 10 Newspapers That Do It Right features some of the most notable ideas occurring in today’s newspaper industry.
As E&P read through the submissions, it was encouraged by the quality of work being done at publications around …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Lori told me about some simple techniques she uses in advertising presentations. “Once the other person mentions a problem,” she said, “it’s important to slow down and show some restraint. A …
On March 2, more than 80 groups, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press signed on to a statement condemning recent attacks on press freedom in the U.S.
In conjunction, Reporters Committee Executive Director Bruce Brown made the …
Fact-checking has taken on new meaning in a world where misinformation spreads quickly on social channels, often disguised as legitimate news content. Journalists worldwide have a responsibility to identify and debunk stories that are trending but simply wrong. The Associated …
Every year, the National Newspaper Association announces the Call for Nominations for the Amos, McKinney & Phillips Awards, which are the highest honors awarded to working and retired newspapermen and women who have exhibited distinguished service to the community press.…
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
When you peel back the layers of advertising philosophy and technique, it all comes down to one thing: Motivation. People buy things because they are motivated. And the most effective ads …
It seems to be on a lot of minds
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
The transition from 2016 to 2017 seemed to prompt a bit more email from folks who read my columns. I’m not sure if it …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Lawrence told me about a technique for gathering information from prospective advertisers. “I’ve been selling for a long time, so I realize the importance of information. But I like to go …
By AP
Associated Press, December 29, 2016 2:03 PM EST
The former publisher of Arizona’s Sierra Vista Herald, who with his brother grew Wick Communications into a media company with publications in 11 states, has died. He was 85
Walter …
What’s your idea? Apply now for 2017-2018 RJI Fellowships
The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute invites proposals from people and institutions to collaborate with us on innovative ideas and projects to improve the practice or understanding of journalism. We’re giving …
Learning to get along at crunch time
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
A few years ago, I spent several days with a newspaper in Tennessee. They were converting from an editorial workflow based on QuarkXPress to InDesign and …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Brandon is an advertising manager who wants his team to be prepared for all sales situations. “We spend a lot of time on sales strategy,” he said, “because that helps us …
The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) is accepting entries for the 57th annual Golden Quill editorial writing contest.
All newspapers of less than daily frequency (published fewer than five days per week) are qualified to enter. Entries …
By Jim Pumarlo
Energized newspapers are at the foundation of energized communities. Community newspapers must focus on aggressive pursuit of local news if they are to remain relevant and grow revenue. This article addresses just how expanded and aggressive pursuit …
Jewish Community Foundation Remains As Owner
(Phoenix, Dec. 2, 2016) Arizona Newspapers Association member, Jewish News, serving greater Phoenix and Northern Arizona, has signed an agreement with Mid-Atlantic Media to manage the newspaper’s day-to-day operations. The Jewish Community Foundation of …
The News Media Alliance today sent a white paper to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team outlining policy positions on regulations and existing laws that deter investment and limit growth in the news media industry.
“While news organizations are innovating and …
On November 22, Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, enjoined the U.S. Department of Labor‘s new overtime rule from taking effect on December 1, 2016. The injunction applies nationwide and affects …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Media Alliance launches initiative to strengthen copyright compliance
Arlington, VA – Today the News Media Alliance launched the News Media Licensing Initiative, a new program which aims to bolster global digital news distribution and consumption in …
by Ed Henninger –
Newspaper Design Consultant
Some typefaces are just downright strange. Like Curlz. I just can’t bring myself to believe that someone was serious about designing that one.
And there’s Dom Casual. And Hobo. And (of course!) Comic …
By David Chavern
News media Alliance, CEO
Riding a populist wave propelled by working-class voters in the industrial Midwest, as well as voters in rural and small town America, Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest political upsets in …
When does holding on to older software and hardware become detrimental?
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
While in Minnesota last week, I had an assignment similar to assignments I’ve had many times during the past 20 years: to …