Marketing and Audience Engagement
Because much of the Statesman is self-funded, I have gained much experience in enticing local advertisers to support the publication. Heightening audience engagement not only piques the interest of advertisers but also is evidence of the appeal of the Statesman. This combination of elements continuously pushes me to strengthen the public appeal of the publication.
Advertising Examples
At the start of each year, I reached out to many different local educational institutions and businesses to advertise with the Statesman. In turn, many placed advertisements in both our paper and online platforms. By discussing the reach of the Statesman and the substantial viewership we possess, I marketed these spots to firms and helped fund our operation.
On the right side of the home webpage, I secured year-round advertisements from the University of Sioux Falls and Southeast Technical College. These completely cover the $500 annual cost of running the website.
This is an advertisement page from the January Issue of the Statesman's paper magazine. With slots for universities and local businesses, these pages cover our main printing costs for each issue.
Student Interaction
I post polls on the Statesman website monthly, allowing students to give input on school issues. Whether it be related to LHS sports teams or new school district policies, this section allows students to portray their feelings to Statesman staff and readers alike.
The Statesman hosts an annual "Scare Affair," a Halloween costume contest for students and teachers. Winners of the several different categories win prizes and coveted bragging rights. This event boosts public interest in the Statesman and brings extra fun to LHS.
Audience Analytics
I constantly use Google Analytics on the Statesman website to track audience engagement and overall traffic. In the past year, our site accumulated 46,163 views and 50,354 stories read. I also use this data to track views on specific stories and weekly traffic trends to gauge what appeals to viewers the most. Through this, I can monitor our readership and empower staff members by displaying the wide reach our publican holds.