What's a Newspaper?

 

Welcome to my 100^th blog since joining Blogger in July of 2012. Prior to joining blogger.com (a free blog maker), I wrote blogs for a couple of years in a local paper online, The Mansfield News Journal, and Cleveland.com (online version of The Cleveland Plain Dealer).

The One Thing

One thing I would do different is create my own blog sooner in Blogger instead of focusing on my local newspaper as a primary source. Gannett News owns our local paper and ended blogging earlier this year by going to a pay-per-view version. For a little while, I wrote blogs in the last remaining Gannett owned newspaper in Montgomery Alabama. (Thanks to Hugmama).

One Less Blogger

At the end of the third business quarter this year, Gannett discovered it actually made money from going to pay subscription. Three days later, the Montgomery Alabama newspaper, The Montgomery Advertiser, hid their blog format and a couple of weeks later; ended public blogging altogether.

The Mansfield, Ohio paper gave us notification while the Alabama newspaper gave us no indication of the sudden change in policy. This method was poor public relations on their part, but it doesn’t surprise me.

Here We Go Again

Now the Plain Dealer is in financial trouble and may limit their paper printing and delivery to a few days per week. Will the Plain Dealer go to a pay-per-view subscription and how will that affect public bloggers? I still blog on Cleveland.com. They’ve voted me Blogger of the Week several times. It’s a first class newspaper and by recognizing bloggers weekly it shows the online newspaper values the folks adding value.

Why Start Now?

Part of the idea of creating my own online paper- The Rust Belt Chronicles came about from my adventures with blogging in newspapers and seeing what’s lacking in today’s digital news. The book I reviewed the other day- The Impact Equation by authors, Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, played a large role in those thoughts as well.

Extra, Extra, Read All About It?

The problem with Gannett News is it doesn’t offer enough niche information to justify subscriptions. In fact, our local paper appears to feature less articles focusing on our immediate area. National or World news can be read for free, so why pay for news that is free from countless media sources? Newspapers are dying a slow death. When was the last time you saw a newspaper rack on a sidewalk?

That’s what I thought. News has been digitized, amplified, and ostracized. But is pay-per-view how we want it to reach us? Local news is now competing with the biggest news source ever- the Internet.

The Good News?

These days anyone can be an owner, news breaker or story teller. To be successful doesn’t require being a giant conglomerate like Gannet News. The pendulum has shifted. The problem is newspaper media is responding by using a dated philosophy-reducing quality and charging a fee.

Seeing is Believing

Our local paper in printed format is nothing like it was in its prime. It covered meetings of nearly every organization and gave you all the updates. Newspapers offered page after page of full paid advertisements and thick as a brick on Sunday’s. I use to pity the paperboy carrying all those heavy papers in his paper bag, strapped over his shoulder.

Visit the local library and compare the content from 1972 and 2012. It’s a shocking change in the quality and quantity of articles.

In our lifetime, a small child will one day ask: “What’s a newspaper, Daddy?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

 

Book Review: The Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith

 

Social Media expert and Blogger, Chris Brogan has been instrumental in my journey to become a blogger. His book, Social Media 101, not only gave me valuable insight it armed me with the education, passion and courage to enter the digital age. Naturally, I was looking forward to his next best-selling release, Trust Agents, co-authored with Julien Smith (another media expert in podcasting). Unfortunately, Trust Agents, left me puzzled somewhat, compared to Social Media 101.

Chris Brogan and Julien Smith have released a new book entitled: The Impact Equation: are you making things happen or just making noise? I am happy to report “The Impact Equation” is an insightful and useful book, written with strong advice and powerful tips.

The social media experts champion the premise that anyone can become a social media expert and owner without seeking permission or being rich. That’s right, for the first time in the history of civilization, you, me; anyone can partake, create and own our own channel. Scary isn’t it.  We can be a voice and make an impact in the world.

Chris and Julien use a simple formula for the principle of this success called CREATE.

C*(R+E+A+T+E) = Contrast is multiplied by reach (R), exposure (E), articulation (A), trust (T), echo (E). The CREATE formula can be applied to make an impact in regards to anything you do.

The Impact Equation also focuses on real examples to breakdown how we can make an impact. Just a few of the many topics covered are:

·        Recognizing good ideas from bad ideas.

·        The importance of goals.

·        The power of a sturdy platform.

·        Stop thinking like an employee.

·        Building a network based on trust from people who care.

·        Discovering your core message.

·        The human element.
 

The Impact Equation is about building an online tribe, offering added value, and how to maximize your chance of success. Chris and Julien suggest giving away their book to others when you are finished studying the book. This is another way to spread their ideas and create a loyal tribe of followers towards you.

Near the final chapter, Chris and Julien actually take time to explain their thoughts on their former book, Trust Agents and how it could have been more explicit in hindsight. That takes guts.

If you have an interest in creating your own media channel and have a desire to make your own impact, you must take the time to read: The Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.

The Impact Equation is the best equation never taught in school!

So purchase a copy today, read it several times, study the formulas and advice, then give it away to share with someone else.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.