Innovation in Journalism Formats, Subscriber Retention and Deciding What Not to Do

April 20, 2021

You could sum up today's newsletter as strategies for what to do and what not to do. To innovate organisations need some amount of slack, some spare capacity to try new things and to seek new audiences. However, after years of cuts, that slack has been eroded, and the impulse of so many editors and publishers is to squeeze as much out of the staff that they have left. It's understandable but misguided. In this edition of the newsletter, we have a quick look at innovation in formats, audience retention and business models.

And just as importantly, we have a wonderful series from the American Press Institute about how news organisations are learning to let go of the work that is failing to find an audience and failing to have an impact. They also provide a framework for deciding what to stop doing. I'm hearing more and more about this kind of work and requests from editors and staff alike.

Investments in Journalism, Tech and Sales

Paid subscribers increased 44% to13,500, accounting for 55% of revenues The name of one of Spain’s notable survival stories in public-service journalism–infoLibre–contains the essence of its guiding principle. It literally means “free information”–that is, free of undue influence from political and business interests. In his annual public letter, Jesús Maraña, editorial director, attributed the publication’s financial …

"'Paid subscribers increased 44% to13,500, accounting for 55% of revenues." From @TheFix.

The Strategy of What Not to Do

The American Press Institute just released a brilliant series on doing less but with more impact and a framework for deciding what to stop doing. This is such a critical conversation for newsrooms exhausted by the idea of 'doing more with less'. That has become a toxic phrase which has left journalists exhausted and embittered, especially during the pandemic.

Figure out which stories don't serve any part of your audience "funnel."

Start by asking everyone in your newsroom, "What are you doing that you don't think is a good use of your time?"

Your reporters are exhausted, and so is your audience.

For many people, the knee-jerk reaction to shedding work is immediately to find other stuff (more meaningful stuff!) to replace it with. That’s not really the point of this piece. If there’s one thing you should take away from this, it’s that it’s okay to do less. If your staff is overworked, overwhelmed, burnt out, […]

Innovation in Tools, Engagement and Formats

Case studies from news media regarding innovation in storytelling, audience engagement, design and article recommendation

The Wall Street Journal has been doing some wonderful work in the open for their subscriber retention strategies, and the BBC is so generous in sharing their research insights.

Are Facebook's Deals with Pubs Buying Silence?

Under the cover of launching a little-known feature, the social media giant has been funneling money to America’s biggest news organizations—and hanging the rest of the press out to dry.

More US Newspapers Face Alden's Axe

Tribune Publishing is moving ahead with plans to be acquired by Alden Global Capital and has ended discussions with a Maryland hotel executive interested in purchasing the Chicago-based newspaper chain.

More newspapers will almost certainly fall under the control of Alden Global Capital. It's sad. More than that, Alden was in a position to fend off other suitors for Tribune.