Newspapers are quickly becoming a thing of the past due to the rise of the Internet and digital news. Many newspaper publications have started printing less or not printing at all. Instead, they have focused on their digital presence, whether on social media or a website.
The 24-hour broadcast news cycle has made newspapers fall behind. Broadcast news can continuously update stories, provide corrections in real-time, and provide multi-media elements that print cannot. Yet, there is still an aspect of physical newspapers that niche audiences believe is important. This, paired with analog media’s current flux stage, creates the argument that physical newspapers may still matter.
Utilizing the web
Having an online presence is absolutely crucial for any news media organization. Stories can populate the website at a much higher rate than newspapers can be printed. Online stories also allow for immediate reactions from consumers so that the organization can see which types of stories are faring well.
Having a social media strategy
Social media is a great way to supplement an online resource. Media organizations can provide updates on important stories, feature photojournalism in a more immersive way, and continue to allow for consumer feedback via comments and post interactions.
Web-tested printing strategies
With so many opportunities for feedback, newspapers can change their approach. By seeing which stories perform the best from each category, they can print based on the data generated by their digital presence. Though each issue won’t have every story, the most important stories will still show up on newsstands, allowing readers to see what they are most interested in.
For other creative ways to improve print media, check out these tips from Mashable.
Though the world of news media is rapidly changing, analog media still holds a place alongside its digital counterparts.