Comments on: What Seth Just Said

By: wwds

wwds — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Exactly Jack. My only smaller point was that lack of writing skill should not stop anyone from trying. There is always a way. And you described a winning approach.

By: Jack Humphrey

Jack Humphrey — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:22:40 +0000

I don’t think it’s really about the writing quality. Our local newspaper has writers from the most marginal journalism and writing backgrounds imaginable. That’s not the point of what Seth is saying.

It’s the doing, and figuring out who is the least marginal among your group at writing, and taking the idea further. Grab interns from local college English or journalism programs if you are concerned about the writing. But the idea makes sense regardless.

By: Stephen A.

Stephen A. — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:41:30 +0000

I actually like Seth’s idea, and since I’ve been in the news business before, it makes some sense to me to consider a local paper (though you’re right, it’s not for everyone.) A couple of years ago, I considered this, and even considered limiting it to my own ZIP Code! So his “own your own ZIP Code is right on target.

I’m sure you noticed that he didn’t talk about making this thing profitable. Advertising in the e-newspaper is definitely possible, however, especially once it gets a couple thousand subscribers.

His advice does seem a bit counterintuitive, since newspapers all over the place are failing. But if done right – and without hundreds of gallons of ink and acres of paper required – it might just work.

I’m a huge proponent of electronically-delivered news, and think that’s the way almost all papers will go in the next decade.

=============
Stephen
http://twitter.com/nhprman