ZDNet’s Tom Foremski has come up with 25 things a newspaper ought to try before shutting down. The list has obvious things like focusing on hyper-local content and unconventional ideas like “Don’t let advertising networks sell your advertising.” That’s No. 8. And speaking about money, check out reason No. 11:
- “Offer some way for readers to pay. Every newspaper has a group of fiercely loyal readers, some more than others, but there is no way for them to pay if they want to read their newspaper online. Many people like the positive ecological aspect of reading online and are proud they are saving resources–and many would be willing to pay for this vastly improved product yet the newspapers don’t offer any way to collect this easy revenue. One way might be witha PBS-style volunteer membership package? With discounts among local businesses.”