A new venture?

Browncoat

Senior Member
I live in rural Ohio, in a county of roughly 50,000 residents. The county seat (in which I live) has a population of about 18,000. Scattered about are several smaller communities. As I have written here before, this past summer, I was a photography intern for the local newspaper. I have since "graduated" to being an official paid freelance stringer. This newspaper, for as long as I can remember, has been referred to by most as the "Daily Mistake". There are always several misspellings among its pages, and poor writing and coverage of local events in general.

Even with the decline across the board of the newspaper industry, most local community newspapers boast around 80% readership numbers according to a survey I read. Firsthand knowledge tells me this particular newspaper has a circulation of around 11,000...which is about 22% of the population, just to put things in perspective. There was even a scandal reported by a larger regional paper a few years ago that stated this local paper was inflating circulation numbers in order to keep advertisers from pulling out. The local paper is in bankruptcy. Again, that's nothing shocking considering the industry as a whole is in decline. Many large, even national papers, are in the same boat. Even the New York Times owes more money than it could ever possibly pay back.

I am seriously considering entering the news business.

My idea is an online only news outlet for local events. Articles would be crowdsourced by local writers living in the various communities, in addition to a small (perhaps 3 people?) full-time staff. I already have several interested candidates, and putting all of this together online would be easy. I figure after a few months, we could start approaching local businesses for advertising revenue.

At the risk of sounding pompous, I honestly feel that within a year, the current newspaper would be out of business. Mostly because I've lived in this area for most of my life, and I know the community longs for a better news source. Yes, this would be a massive undertaking in the beginning, but I believe it could be profitable in fairly short order. The hardest part is going to be getting enough contributors in place among the various communities to cover everything that goes on.

Thoughts?
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Sounds like a huge undertaking, considering the population base. I hope you did your homework on this, Anthony. But I suppose if anyone can do this, you can. I trust your instincts, though. If you're determined enough, I don't see why you couldn't make this a success. :)
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
I just spoke on the phone to one of the founding members of a California-based local online news site. Long story short, I'm on the right path to making this thing a reality. The business model is right, goals are reasonable, and it's a project that has real possibilities. I'll be bending the ear of a current reporter for the newspaper on Friday to find out a few other things as well.

My biggest concern is getting boots on the ground. I need local contributors who are basically willing to write for free at this point. More than that, I need good content. We need to get everything set up and in place for an official 2012 launch date if this is going to happen.

And yes, the homework has been done. I always do my homework before playing. ;)
 

stamatisg2002

Senior Member
The news will be on a subscription base? These nice new ventures need to be supported! If I was residing in the U.S. I'd love to be a subscriber...
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
You are asking for thoughts on a subject that you have already made up your mind on.

So, in reality, you're NOT asking for our thoughts, you're asking for confirmation.

Since I do not read our local paper and I do not watch our local news, I have absolutely no idea how it will work out for you.

How-ever, I will wish you only the best in this new venture. :)
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Not at all, Pete.

I'm very much interested in input on this one, because at this point I'm kind of torn. On paper, this could be a profitable venture...the market is there. But there's an awful lot of dead space between paper and reality.

I've been serious enough about this to have done a lot of digging over the last few months. But, really, I think I'm looking for someone to talk me out of it more than anything else. Unfortunately, as odd as that sounds, my wife is 100% behind me on this.
 

JoeLewisPhotography

Senior Member
There is absolutely no way this will ever work, in a million years, unless you have a 17-55 f2.8. :p

Sound like a crap ton to do, but could pay off if done well. you are braver than I. Good Luck!
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
Okay, just remember that you asked for this.

Your physical assets are minimal since all of your delivery is online.

How-ever, your most important asset is also the most nebulous. The integrity of your news organization to the TRUTH.

From where I sit, THAT is the biggest downfall to any news organization. Just look at The New York Times if you need an example.

The Grey Lady is nothing more than a whore because she lost her integrity.

Are YOU willing to make TRUTH your only commodity? If not, you are doomed to failure.

Just that simple.

BWTHDIK?
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
How-ever, your most important asset is also the most nebulous. The integrity of your news organization to the TRUTH.

I couldn't agree more, Pete.

That's one of the reasons the local paper (and many other for that matter) are in trouble: poor journalism. It's either severely biased or just plain bad. I don't think I want to get into too much "investigative" type stuff, especially not at first. One thing we're definitely NOT going to get into is all the death and destruction, not that there's much of that around here anyway.

In my opinion, Granny Smith winning a bake sale with her to-die-for apple pie is more newsworthy than a scandal at the sheriff's office.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I have a buddy that works at The Calgary Herald, and he once told me.......bad news sells. And I thought....well so does local news.

I'm rootin' for ya, Anthony. Make it happen! :)
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
The biggest issue is that my photography business is starting to roll under its own steam. I'm nearing that critical hump and I'm just afraid that taking on a project of this magnitude will mean a setback because I've spread myself too thin. Then I'll get burned out on one or the other, possibly both ventures. With a new baby on the way, critical mass is rapidly approaching.

Insomnia can only take me so far.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
Then why take it on if it will mean hardship? Stick with your business that's on a roll. You're still relatively young. You can always try this a little later down the road. What's the rush? Let the economy pick up a little....then see if you even WANT to get into the new venture. Don't bite off more than you can chew, bud. :)
 

theregsy

Senior Member
For a simple photographer with a toe in the water at a local UK paper, I know how hard the news industry is being hit, thankfully my wife's paper is doing well all things considered. To me it sounds like a good idea Anthony, without the printing costs and the cost of a huge staff then it sounds like a winner already. As a pointer I am aware of how difficult it can be to get people to contribute do you have any local bloggers producing anything decent? they might be able to contribute something, we found that there was a huge amount of local events and festivals ignored by the local papers, due to snobbery, I am sure your place is probably the same. There are sure to be sleepless nights, lots of leg work and a fair few hurdles to overcome but from what little I know of you through this site you sound like a determined and hard working bloke and I am sure you will manage to make it work. All the best mate, good luck :)
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
The biggest issue is that my photography business is starting to roll under its own steam. I'm nearing that critical hump and I'm just afraid that taking on a project of this magnitude will mean a setback because I've spread myself too thin. Then I'll get burned out on one or the other, possibly both ventures. With a new baby on the way, critical mass is rapidly approaching.

Insomnia can only take me so far.

Actually Dude, you don't really have much choice. You'll do this simply because if you don't, you will always wonder "What if...".

Like I said before, good luck on your newest adventure!

Besides, just think of all the advertising breaks that your photography business will get! :)
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
Reading the responses echos the own conflict and conversations I've had. And yes, the "what if" factor is huge on this one. There really is a need in the community for a better news source. I'm certain that polling data on that topic would be overwhelming.

I remember when I decided to give this photography thing a whirl, the idea was met with some resistance from people I know. It won't work, wait until the economy is better, people don't buy photos anymore, you won't make any money, etc. This project is met with enthusiasm by anyone I've shared it with.

Mr. Regan: No, my searches have yielded no area bloggers unfortunately. I was hoping to find something, because I agree that would be a great place to start. I've found some potential candidates on the current newspaper forums. There was one prominent blogger who was very vocal about the sheriff's office scandal. The blog was shut down because it was publishing official documents that someone from inside the sheriff's office was sending. I would love to find that guy.
 

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
Anthony, you're a smart guy and I'm sure you'll figure this out. Starting something online is always the hardest part. Getting people to the site, using it, commenting, etc. is not easy. You'll have to make a detailed plan on every aspect of the site; The name, what is looks like, what software is used, social media plan, traffic that it'll take to make a return on advertising, etc. Make sure you take into account things like server and advertising costs.

Also think about what people want to read. What will get their attention? What will they be searching for when they're looking for something? Unfortunately the things that attract attention are scandals, death and destruction.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
The site part is the easiest. The name/layout/planning aspects have all been in the works for months. It's really just a matter of pushing the GO button on all of that stuff. Getting people to use it...well, that's a whole different animal. Right now I'm subscribing to the "if you build it they will come" theory. We'll push it once it's live and has content. That's the hardest part with something like this: content.

I need boots on the ground. There are a few supporters, but we can't cover everything with just a handful of us. It's going to be hard in the beginning, but once people see what the site is all about, I think more contributors will sign on. But, we have to get it going first.

I'm still torn. The domain is registered, and the site template is in place. I suppose I just need to decide whether or not to actually pull the trigger and make it happen.
 
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