Posted by Kristen Tribe on April 2, 2013
Sometimes we go find the news.
Other times, it finds us.
Last week Evan Ebel sped into Wise County, guns blazing, and brought a tragic story to our front door.
Although covering tragedy is nothing new at the Wise County Messenger, this time we did it with the national media looking over our shoulder.
The morning of March 21 started quietly, but by noon, we had covered a frenzied chase, a police shootout with a seemingly crazed gunman, and were exploring connections to murders in Colorado. By the next morning our work, primarily the photos by Joe Duty and Jimmy Alford, had appeared in publications, on websites and television broadcasts of at least 27 media outlets around the world.
It was not a typical news day in Wise County. ...
Posted by Ken Blum on March 14, 2013
Reposted with permission of the author.
It's the most common reader complaint, heard throughout the history of hometown newspapers. Benjamin Franklin got an earful as publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette. You probably heard it yesterday.
"There's nothing but bad news in the paper. Why don't you write about some of the good things happening in this town?"
Of course, you scratch your noggin' when you take another look at the latest edition stuffed full of positive news -- weddings, engagements, sports coverage, people features, club meeting reports, church news, etc., seemingly none of it noticed by the complainer.
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But I'm here to share a revelation. Here...
Posted by Chuck Nau on February 10, 2013
Question: I am leaving my current sales position to move across the state and join a larger weekly newspaper in a sales management position. This is my first management job. I was very successful selling, but have always wanted to move into management. My staff will consist of four salespeople with limited experience. What things should I consider as a new manager, any tips to help me get started?
Answer: First of all, congratulations on your new adventure!
It sounds like you enjoyed selling and, in all likelihood, your publisher and others at your current paper have told you that you are good at what you do.
Now, as many new managers do, you are beginning to wonder if you will be as good and as successful in managing as you were in sales...
Posted by Chuck Nau on November 3, 2012
In this struggling economy, what strategies might you consider to enhance your likelihood for successful face-to-face meetings with advertisers? What should you bring along in addition to a copy of your newspaper and your newspaper’s website stats? Where would you turn? How would you gather the necessary information? Whom should you ask? What is available, both easily accessible and inexpensive?
Many of us have asked ourselves these questions during our selling and sales management careers. In my case, it was during my tenure at a small northern Illinois daily just after college. For you it might be the daily r, weekly where you work. No matter what the circulation size or frequency of your newspaper, having an out-of-date...
Posted by Melissa Perner on August 19, 2012
The newspaper is the epicenter of a small town. But when you put the newspaper and radio station together, it can create an even bigger news center.
In Ozona, The Ozona Stockman and KYXX-FM Radio have partnered together for two years to bring news and events to the community.
Every Wednesday, I inform listeners on KYXX about all the news in that week’s paper. With DJ Eligio Martinez, I give “teases” about the articles, talk about upcoming events and even give breaking news updates.
One week a serious accident north of Ozona closed down part of a road and I used my time on the radio to inform travelers of the detour in that area.
Last year during the county’s devastating wildfires, the Stockman would get...
