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From Cumberland Times-News (MD), The Desert Sun (Palm
Springs, CA) and Times
Herald (Port Huron,
MI).
Growing readership doesn’t have to be rocket science. Here’s what three newspapers have done that you could try.
Want to find out more? Send them an
e-mail (links are after each story).
Want to share your idea with us? Send us an e-mail at readership@michiganpress.org
Cumberland Times-News (MD) D:
30,555 / S: 32,836
Launched Today's Family. It
is a publication aimed at giving readers of all ages, but particularly parents
and children, practical news they can use. Features include a local
pediatrician's column, local guidance counselor column, and column on drug
prevention. We have taken one theme per issue and built the issue around that.
For example, the fall magazine will be all about back-to-school information and
issues. www.times-news.com; e-mail
managing editor Jan Alderton: jpalderton@times-news.com.
The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA) D: 46,497 / S: 49,171
One year ago we launched
Snapshots, a weekly 6-page section filled entirely with photographs of local
community events and everyday life shots that you typically don't find in
newspapers. In Snapshots you'll find your kids' ballet recital, a Saturday
soccer match, a spontaneous round of play in the community water fountain in front
of the movie theatre, fun at the doggy park and local, local events your
neighbors might have attended. Twenty local businesses sponsor Snapshots and
receive a strip ad once per month in the section. The proceeds, after section
expenses, go to our NIE nonprofit fund to purchase newspapers for area schools.
In addition to the strip ad, sponsors receive one-quarter page ad each month
thanking the business for supporting Newspapers in Education. Since its launch,
Tuesday single copy sales have increased 3% or an average of 500 newspapers. We
have also received a significant amount of positive feedback from community
members, moms and even school-aged kids who see themselves in the newspaper
more often. www.thedesertsun.com;
e-mail managing editor Rick Green: rick.green@thedesertsun.com.
Times Herald (Port Huron, MI) D: 29,998 / S: 40,155
New Homes section went from a
routine 12-page tabloid to a 56-page quarter fold with a glossy cover. Through
design and content, we consciously tried to emphasize a target audience of
younger homeowners. www.thetimesherald.com;
city editor Bill Shea: bcshea@gannett.com
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