AlaPressahe ewsletter of the labama ress ssociation T N A P A

September 2020

Important Dates Statement of ownership due in October National Newspaper Week 2020 America’s Newspapers Webinars October 4-10 Content available for your news Digital Selling Skills for products through Alabama Power Sales Executives Foundation/APA Journalism Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-noon Foundation grant Nominate someone for APA’s NNA.org/convention Lifetime Achievement and Emerging October 1-3, 2020 Journalist awards #NNAathome Ozark editor marks 63 years National Newspaper Week on the job October 4-10, 2020 APA Journalism Foundation internship with Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. Join NNA’s online convention September 2020 AlaPressa 2 Statement of ownership filing due The publisher of each publication mailed distribution is produced: sending Periodicals Class Mail must file • Not later than Oct. 10 for publications USPS Form 3526 by Oct. 1 of each year at issued more frequently than weekly. the original entry post office. • Not later than Oct. 31 for publications The information issued weekly or provided on Form less frequently, but 3526 allows the U.S. more frequently than Postal Service to monthly. determine whether the publication meets • For all other publications, in the first Alabama Press Association the standards of Periodicals mailing issue whose primary mailed distribution is Alabama Newspaper Advertising Service Inc. privileges. Newspapers with electronic produced after Oct. 1. 600 Vestavia Parkway, Suite 291 subscriptions to claim will also use Form Please send a copy of your Statement Vestavia, AL 35216 3526x. of Ownership to the APA office at: 600 (205) 871-7737 The required information must appear in Vestavia Parkway, Ste., 291, Vestavia, AL. (205) 871-7740 (fax) an issue of the publication whose primary or email to [email protected]. www.alabamapress.org Nominate someone for APA’s Lifetime Board of Directors Achievement and Emerging Journalist Horace Moore, Chairman of the Board Mid-South Newspapers awards The APA board of directors is seeking The Emerging Journalist Award recognizes Terry Connor, President nominations for the Alabama Press a young journalist with excellence in the field The Dothan Eagle Association Lifetime Achievement and and someone who maintains high standards K.A. Turner, 1st Vice President Emerging Journalist Awards for 2021. of quality and ethics. The award aims to Alabama Media Group The Lifetime Achievement recognizes reinforce the importance of a journalist’s Dee Ann Campbell, 2nd Vice President outstanding service and accomplishments role by recognizing and nurturing talent to The Choctaw Sun-Advocate spanning a career in journalism in Alabama. promote quality journalism. Denise DuBois, The Citizen of East Alabama Tricia Clinton-Dunne For Lifetime Achievement, APA Nominees must be an employee or members may nominate any person who, regular contributor to an APA-member The Fort Payne Times-Journal at the time of selection, is a living, present newspaper. This award is open to nominees James Phillips, Daily Mountain Eagle or former newspaper executive or employee younger than 30 with less than five years Parks Rogers, Gulf Coast Newspapers of a newspaper in Alabama. Nominees must of experience writing professionally for a Teresa Woodruff, The Moulton Advertiser have spent a significant percentage of their newspaper. Robert Jackson, Consolidated Publishing newspaper careers in Alabama. Nominees The selection committee will consist of Glenda Curl, The Wilcox Progressive Era must also have a minimum of 25 years of APA’s four officers and two additional board Dan Starnes, Starnes Publishing service in the newspaper industry and may members. Nominations are due by Nov. 12. Caroline Quattlebaum, The Southeast Sun not be nominated by a family member. Areas Nomination forms are available on the APA Johnny Adams, Union Springs Herald of service include production, editorial, website HERE (EJ) and HERE (LA). Steve Baker, The Outlook/Alexander City advertising and circulation. Robert Bozeman, The Evergreen Courant APA Staff National Newspaper Week - October 4-10 Please plan to celebrate National Felicia Mason, Executive Director Newspaper Week by downloading these Brad English, Marketing/Governmental materials and devoting as many column Affairs Director inches as possible to remind readers of Leigh Leigh Tortorici, Senior the important role our journalists play in our Marketing Representative communities and in our country. Jaclyn Langan, Membership Coordinator Please also make it local by editorializing Meegan Maxwell, Network Coordinator about your newspaper’s unique relevance. Shaina Ehmke, Tearsheet Clerk This can be about your duties as government Dennis R. Bailey, General Counsel watchdog, your role as a community Scott Goldsmith, APA Accountant forum and coverage of community events, National Newspaper Week 2020 will be publication of timely public notices, etc. observed Oct. 4-10. The 80th annual NNW is sponsored by Newspaper celebration marks the impact of journalists Association Managers, Inc., the consortium in their communities. of North American trade associations This year’s theme is “America Needs representing the newspaper industry. Journalists.” Material, including editorials, APA has paid a fee so that members can cartoons, promotional ads and more, is now download the information at no cost. available at no cost to APA members HERE. September 2020 AlaPressa 3 Content available for your news products through grant Last month, we announced a grant on BamaNet located in the “Journalist Newspapers should credit the story and program funded by the Alabama Power Grant Articles” folder. It is the “Jasper Mall any photos used (cutlines are provided) Foundation and administered by the APA story” and contains several photos to go and be sure to include the editor’s note, Journalism Foundation for journalists to with the story. identifying the source of the story. write stories of statewide interest for use in “We appreciate the opportunity to help This story and others that will follow are APA newspapers. These are for journalists our journalists and help our newspapers for your use to provide feature stories for that have been struggling due to layoffs, who need content at the same time,” APA your newspapers and websites. Contact furloughs or reduced wages during this Executive Director Felicia Mason said. “We Felicia ([email protected]) or pandemic. currently have three other stories in the Leigh Leigh ([email protected]) The first story that is now available for works that will be available soon.” with any questions. Please let us know you to use is about what one community, Leigh Leigh Tortorici, who is managing when you use these stories. We will share Jasper, is doing with their abandoned mall. the project for the APA office, said she it with the journalists and use in our grant Many communities in Alabama have retail appreciates Steve Stewart’s guidance use report. space sitting unused and abandoned. The and willingness to work one-on-one with Several grants are still available at $500 story is written by Nicole Smith and edited the journalists. “We are relying on Steve’s each, so please encourage any of your by retired journalism professor, Steve expertise to make sure we are providing staff that would qualify to apply: https:// Stewart. high quality stories from inception to www.alabamapress.org/2020-journalist- You can find this first story and photos publication to our members,” Tortorici said. grant-program/. APA Journalism Foundation internship with Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. By Abby Driggers people doing extraordinary things weekly. to appreciate the people of Alexander City Editor’s Note: The APA Journalism However, the moment I realized I was and their commitment to their local news Foundation awarded eight $1,500 among special individuals was my first organization. internships over the summer. Here is week in the office. In a time where print is declining and a report from Abby Driggers, summer The Alabama Press Association national publications swoop in to report on intern for Tallapoosa Publishers. This is awards were announced my second day in small towns throughout America, I have just one example of the benefits of your Alexander City, as I switched from remote to renewed faith in community journalism. support of the Foundation. If you have not in-person in late June. What I have learned during my internship made a pledge this year, please consider During the virtual ceremony, I remember is the Tallapoosa Publishers’ newsroom joining other APA member newspapers in seeing everyone’s faces wait in anticipation serves their community well because they supporting the Foundation. of the categories, cheering one another on care. Good journalism doesn’t come easy. and taking a much-deserved moment to Within the organization, there is It takes effort to ask the right questions, acknowledge their accomplishments. a collective responsibility to tell their to cultivate subject-matter expertise, to Later that evening, I read a column neighbors’ stories, keep cities safe and hold continuously tune into the police scanner, to from the managing editor titled Each long government accountable. stay late writing in the office, to write a story day in the newsroom is worth it. I felt as if My internship was a wonderful blend of that surprises, inspires or provokes. all of my sentiments toward journalism had education and application, and one where I Good journalism takes a village, and I been taken from my psyche and published leave more empowered to continue to report am proud to have been a part of the one at word for word. At that moment, I became on the happenings of my fellow Alabamians. Tallapoosa Publishers. cognizant of the opportunity I have received. There is much work left to be done, and The newsroom, including the advertising I made a point to grab a copy the next I leave confidently knowing TPI will continue and circulation team, has a committed staff day, and I cut the column out for my bulletin its efforts to do just that. of veteran professionals - each of whom board by my front door. And yet, most importantly, I wrap up I respect and hope to have soaked up As I left and returned from my internship my time with TPI knowing local news still wisdom from during my summer. every day, the words reminded me of my matters. Each edit, rewrite, comment and advice personal “why” and the TPI’s team “why” - When I was told of the internship throughout my internship taught me far the readers. position, I drove to Alex City to pick up as more than any course could, and I value Digging through documents and tracking many copies of each newspaper as I could. the time taken by the staff to strengthen my down sources are some of my favorite Then, a couple of weeks later, I made the skillset during the fast-paced news cycle. pastimes. But it also takes a lot of time and drive again - same roll of quarters, same At my desk, I was a firsthand witness resources - all of which wouldn’t be possible gas station. to each of their pursuits of truth, breaking without support from readers. I look forward to making the drive many news and accomplishments of Tallapoosa By reading letters to the editor, editing more times to remain in touch with the local County’s 40,367 people. I was allowed to columns, discovering letters to Santa in events best told by the inspiring, driven take the lead on community developments, July and seeing local citizens stop by to journalists at TPI. feature local artists and showcase ordinary pick up the print publications, I have grown September 2020 AlaPressa 4 Join NNA’s online convention Oct. 1-3, 2020 The National Newspaper Association night, Better Newspaper is holding a virtual convention Oct. 1-3, Contest awards ceremony 2020 – Today’s Readers, Tomorrow and the James O. Amos Leaders. award ceremony. NNA’s 134th Annual Convention We value the time Meet us online for this year’s NNA Convention and and Trade Show will address pressing and resources you are Trade Show, October 1-3, 2020! business objectives of community considering investing newspaper owners, publishers and senior in NNA’s 134th Annual LEARN what it takes for a community newspaper to succeed in today’s environment staff with educational sessions and peer Convention and Trade HEAR from and network with owners and publishers at publications across the U.S. sharing activities. Show and promise you will Your $50 full registration includes not be disappointed. See VISIT our online exhibitors and learn about the valuable solutions they provide general sessions, round table discussion more information at: https:// sessions, a virtual exhibit hall and tickets www.nna.org/convention. $50 to a welcome reception, BINGO family fun Registration is $50. open to NNA members & People nonmembers Roger Carden recently retired after company. advertising manager. She started full-time 43 years as advertising director at the After selling job printing, Carden had the in June 1978 and has worked in almost Northwest Alabamian in Haleyville. opportunity to move into ad sales and serve every department during her tenure. She Carden started at the Alabamian in May as the Alabamian’s advertising director, an came to the news department in 1984, and 1977 at the age of 22. He began as a printer opportunity he was proud to take. was named editor in 1990, serving in that within the job shop, eventually moving into capacity for 25 years. She has worked as a lead man role within that area of the Melica Allen will replace Carden as Informativesports video editor conferencing for the sessions past and fewworkshops years Family-friendly events with fun surprises and drawings Online networking Ozark editor marks 63 years on the jobVirtual trade show booths where you can have live conversations In August, Joe Adams, celebrated 63 After a stint in the Army, Adams returned years as the editor of The Southern Star. He home to workEstablished at The in Star1885, the with National his father, is Alabama’s longest serving active editor. and becameNewspaper editor Association in 1957.(NNA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing the owners, publishers and The Southern Star has been in the Adamseditors was of America’spresident community of APA newspapers. in 2000, Adams family since it was founded by and was honored with the APA Lifetime Adams’ great grandfather in 1867. AchievementJoin us for Award NNAatHome! in 2013. Starting at age 12, Adams learned how Photo: Editor-Publisher, Joseph H. to run a hand-fed folder. He started writing Adams, displays an anniversary issue sports a few years later. of The Southern Star in its 140th year of Adams studied journalism at the publication and his 50th year as editor in University of Alabama, and was the sports 2007 with a portrait of Joseph A. Adams, editor at the Crimson White, UA’s student founder of The Southern Star in 1867. newspaper. Help Wanted Multimedia Journalist - Alexander City crucial, we want someone who is not content Press Operator - Florence, AL writing one story per day. We want a candidate The Alexander City Outlook is looking for a who is committed to giving our audience the TimesDaily has an immediate opening for talented multimedia journalist to join our team. best possible coverage of the community by a Press Operator. Candidate must be able We want to expand our digital platform and leveraging all the tools at our disposal. to setup press for daily newspaper printing, fully explore the limits of digital coverage and If you are willing to develop new skills to monitor and inspect quality of papers, maintain need a dedicated and innovative storyteller tell stories across multiple platforms in new registration and proper ink density, perform to lead that effort. We have an award-winning and interesting ways, we want you in Alex- general maintenance and other duties as newspaper; however, our digital product is ander City. We may be considered a small required. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., quickly becoming the focus in our community. paper, but we view that as an opportunity to try be forklift certifiable and have mechanical That’s why we need talented journalists who unique ideas and take big swings. experience or training. Prior experience with understand the possibilities and aren’t afraid We don’t just want to put our news online; newspaper press and machine maintenance to try new approaches to improve coverage we want to create an indispensable print and is preferred or other press printing experience through video, audio, infographics and social digital news product that tells the most com- will be considered. Candidate must be able to media. Most importantly, we want candidates plete version of every story, big or small, in our work a flexible schedule including nights, days, who are constantly adapting their approach in community. and weekends; and work in a fast paced envi- the service of better storytelling. If you think you can help us do that, send ronment. Mail resume to 219 West Tennessee The ideal candidate would be well-versed your resume, cover letter and recent work Street, Florence, AL 35630, or email to hollie. in digital news presentation and constantly samples to managing editor Santana Wood [email protected]. looking for the next creative element to add at [email protected]. to a story. While experience in journalism is September 2020 AlaPressa 5 Obituaries

Jim Crawford Jim Jr. Crawford Mr. Crawford’s community involvement Crawford served during the Korean War on Jr. a third-generation continued the efforts over the years of his the USS Perry DD844 destroyer, where he newspaper owner, family, which was directly involved in the was a rescue swimmer and a member of died Monday, development of David Crockett State Park, the Navy swim team. September 21, and the establishment of the D-U Cowbell Back home, he was a swim instructor, 2020 at Helen football game, in 1950, between Lawrence an active American Red Cross member Keller Hospital in and Giles county high schools. and taught water safety. He also was a Boy Sheffield, Alabama. In 2010, the twice-weekly publication Scout leader. He was 91. was inducted into the Lawrence County Jim and Marie married in 1959, five His family Chamber of Commerce Small Business months after they met at City Drug Store publishes four Hall of Fame, and is the oldest existing when she was on break from her job with newspapers, and business in Lawrence County. The D-U an accounting firm. She had moved from operates Mid-State Publishing Company is one of four publications owned and Jackson to Lawrenceburg, and they raised that Mr. Crawford established in 1967. operated by Mr. Crawford. Those include their seven children there before moving to It was one of the first offset web printing two in Alabama, the Colbert County Killen, AL. facilities in the Southeast. Reporter in Tuscumbia and the Standard Mr. Crawford was preceded in death by The Lawrenceburg native, the husband and Times in Sheffield along with the his parents, Jim Crawford, Sr., Estelle of Marie K. Crawford for 61 years and the Hickman County Times of Centerville, Bethel Crawford; granddaughter, Sarah father of seven children, was involved in TN. All are weeklies, and several of Mr. Catherine Whitehead; and grandson, his community far beyond its twice-weekly Crawford’s children, the fourth generation, Lucas Sean Brasili. newspaper, The Democrat-Union. He are involved in their operation. Mr. He is survived by his wife, Marie was chairman of the Lawrence County Crawford attended Lawrence County High, Crawford; his children, Jimmy Crawford, Chamber of Commerce Committee that where he played football and basketball, III, Charlie Crawford and wife, Melinda, established the Lawrenceburg-Lawrence and he graduated from Columbia Military Estelle Whitehead, Mary Ellen Wallace County Airport. Mr. Crawford also was Academy, where he also played football. and husband, Mike, Bobby Crawford integral to the work that led to the He is a graduate of the University of and wife, Cyndie, Carolyn Butler and Lawrence County Public Health Center, Tennessee, where he was president of husband, Bradley, Teresa McGee and and served as chair of the county’s Board Kappa Alpha fraternity. husband, Scott; 15 grandchildren; and of Health. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, the young four great-grand children. Robert A. Martin Robert A. from Jones School of Law in 1989. under Martin’s leadership was state Martin, former Throughout his career in both the government reporting and opinion. Martin editor and newspaper business and as director of the worked diligently to provide a variety of publisher of The courts, Martin became friends with and commentary related to state issues, which Montgomery met many important figures, not the least became a hallmark of the newspaper Independent, died of which was President John Kennedy. along with its reporting of local society Sept. 15, after an He also wrote many interesting stories events and the coverage of high school extended illness. about famous people in Alabama and the sports. He is survived by South. One of those was Buford Pusser, Bob served as president of the Alabama his wife, Nancy, the sheriff depicted in the famous movie Press Association (APA) Journalism four children: Jeff, Walking Tall. Pusser was the Sheriff of Foundation in 2008. Felicia Mason, Jenny, Jamie and McNairy County, Tennessee, not far from executive director of the APA remembers Jeremy, and 10 Florence. Martin’s service to the foundation. grandchildren. He While at the AOC, Bob played a vital “Bob has provided sound leadership was preceded in death by parents Calvin role in passing the Judicial Article, which to APA through his service on the APA Grady Martin and Lou Sellie Box Martin unified and standardized the public’s Board and as president of the APA Martin began his newspaper career interaction with Alabama courts. Journalism Foundation. His interest in with The Florence Times of Florence, After spending 25 years working journalism education helped countless Alabama, now known as The TimesDaily, for the State of Alabama, Martin felt students through the grants, internships while attending Florence State University, a call to continue his first career, the and scholarships offered through the now the University of North Alabama news business. Martin purchased The Foundation. He was a staunch advocate (UNA). As a college student, Martin began Montgomery Independent in March 1997 for programs supporting high school in the mail room, worked in circulation and soon after retired from the State of journalism and for the Newspapers In and started covering high school football Alabama to dedicate all of his time to the Education programs, which provided games. He became a sports reporter and publication. newspapers to classrooms throughout the eventually sports editor. He continued His primary goal as editor and publisher state.” to advance at The Times ultimately of The Montgomery Independent was to Martin often said he cherished the time becoming its executive editor. remain dedicated to covering community he spent with the state and is especially In 1972, Martin, with family in tow, affairs, especially those events that proud of his long, ongoing efforts to followed newly elected Chief Justice received little or no attention from other improve the justice system in Alabama. Howell Heflin to Montgomery where media outlets. Martin’s weekly editorial “My time with the Courts was very he began a 25-year career with the was syndicated in other newspapers rewarding and exciting, but my first love Administrative Office of the Courts throughout the state and was a regular was always ‘newspapering’,” using one of working under Chief Justices Heflin, C.C. guest on Alabama Public Television’s his favorite phrases. “Bo” Torbert, Sonny Hornsby and Perry For the Record and Capitol Journal. One Hooper, Sr. Martin earned his Juris Doctor area of excellence for the newspaper (from the Montgomery Independent) September 2020 AlaPressa 6 Columns Who do you support on the election ballot? our editorials really are changing steady job of covering public affairs. anyone’s mind. You’ve gathered similar information on by Jim Pumarlo Many individuals indeed vote the other candidates – the newcomers – party line in today’s heightened par- through your other election coverage. tisanship. Political strategists readily Most perplexing about the hesitan- identify the “red” and “blue” districts cy to endorse candidates is that many and focus their money and efforts on newspapers routinely weigh in on the Election season is in its final stretch, “swing” districts and the undecided actions of government bodies. It’s com- and newspapers have been there at voters. That is more likely the case for mon for editorials to offer advice on an every step. You’ve introduced can- contests at the state and federal levels. upcoming vote, or to offer a “thumbs didates. You’ve quizzed them on the The dynamics can be quite different in up” or “thumbs down” on a decision by issues. You’ve covered the debates. local, nonpartisan races where candi- elected officials. Your coverage has laid the foundation dates often are political newcomers It begs the question: If you believe for a rich exchange among readers on and can be relatively unknown to the so strongly in a position taken by an who they support or oppose – and why. electorate. elected body, shouldn’t a newspaper I encourage you to take the final have equally strong convictions about step: Offer your own recommendations Local endorsements are complicat- the people who ultimately will make on which individuals are best suited to ed due to personal relationships that those decisions? fill the offices on the November ballot. candidates may have with our pub- As a starting point, brainstorm the I admit that editorial endorsements lisher and other key staff members. priority issues in each race. These is- become more scarce each election The best advice: “Just the facts, sues will be the basis for candidate cycle. It troubles me, and it confounds please.” In most cases stick to issues interviews, and the candidates’ re- me. During my tenure as editor of the and avoid personalities. It is naive to sponses will provide a framework for Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle, believe that personal relationships be- endorsements. we endorsed in every primary and gen- tween newspaper management and It’s understandable that newspa- eral election race from the local city candidates do not play a role in en- pers still may be skeptical about en- council, school board and county board dorsements, but issues ought to be the dorsing in local races. So, consider this to legislative contests to U.S. presi- foundation for each decision. idea as a starting point. Write an edito- dent. rial outlining what the newspaper iden- We considered endorsements a Our staff is too small to have an edi- tifies as the key issues in a race – and natural progression of our coverage of torial board. Reporters who cover where you stand on these issues. Then public affairs. We considered endorse- the respective individuals and gov- encourage readers to vote for the indi- ments a right and a responsibility as a ernment bodies would have an obvi- viduals who align with those stances. community institution. ous conflict of interest. You have not identified specific candi- I’ve heard the arguments against Quite the contrary, Endorsements, dates, but your message allows read- endorsements. I politely – and firmly – by definition, are subjective. You ob- ers to connect the dots. offer my rebuttals. jectively gather all the facts and then The final step is to allow feedback. offer a recommendation. The process The effectiveness of any editorial is What gives a newspaper the right to is strengthened in your ability to gather minimized if readers aren’t allowed to tell someone how to vote? as much information as possible. Re- debate its merits. No editorial should be positioned porters are in a premier position to of- Newspapers routinely promote the as the right opinion – or the only opin- fer insight into the strengths and weak- editorial page as the heart of democra- ion – on any subject. Putting yourself nesses of local government – and the cy. Readers may challenge your prac- on a pedestal is the wrong mind-set. values and attributes offered by indi- tice of “telling us who to vote for,” but Rather, approach editorials as offering viduals to elevate these bodies to the they will be doubly upset if you don’t a distinct perspective from your role as next level. give them an opportunity to challenge a clearinghouse of information in your the reasons behind your endorse- community. Editorials can offer per- We’re already strapped for resourc- ments. tinent information on candidates and es. We just don’t have the time. ballot initiatives that may not be readily No question, endorsements take Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and pro- available to all readers. work. They cannot be done on a whim. vides training on community news- That said, you’ve done the lion’s share room success strategies. He can be We’re fooling ourselves if we believe of the research if you are doing a reached at [email protected]. September 2020 AlaPressa 7 Columns Ten ways to mess up an online presentation ipants started walking around with his way to be at your best is to prepare and Ad-libs laptop computer. For several minutes, practice. by John Foust the camera treated everyone to jerky 7. Not acknowledging everyone. views of his ceiling and kitchen cabi- There is often a tendency to talk to the nets, all while he was talking. main contact and pay little attention to For goodness’ sakes, keep the cam- others in a meeting. That’s always bad These days, ad professionals are era in one position. manners, whether face-to-face or on a conducting more digital presentations 4. Distractions. We all know it’s not screen. than ever before. While there are some good to see someone fumbling with pa- 8. Talking in a monotone. It’s not similarities with in-person meetings, pers during a meeting at a conference just what you say; it’s how you say it. there are some significant differences. table. That’s just as bad in an online One of the fastest ways to lose atten- Let’s take a quick look at 10 of the big- presentation, because it indicates dis- tion is to speak in a tone of voice that gest mistakes in online presentations: organization. lacks energy and enthusiasm. 1. Problems with technology. “Can In addition, be sure to clean up your Put some excitement in your words. you hear me now?” is more than a line background, so it is simple and free of 9. Talking too much. A remote call is from an old television spot; it’s a real- clutter. not a license to “talk at” people. What- ity of many online conversations. As 5. Hard-to-see exhibits and graph- ever the format, a sales conversation you plan the presentation, be sure to ics. Advance planning is the key, here. should be a dialogue, not a monologue. consider the meeting platform, web- If you display ads or charts, prepare Think of ways to encourage conversa- cams, and desktop-tablet-phone differ- carefully so everything will go smooth- tion. Ask plenty of questions and re- ences. It’s better to address those is- ly. If you hold something up to the cam- spond to their answers with respect. sues ahead of time than to be surprised era, make sure it is super-simple and in 10. Not listening between the lines. when things are underway. steady hands. Watch for facial expressions and listen 2. Unprofessional appearance. 6. Winging it. There’s a sneaky lit- for voice infections, just like you do in Even if you’re presenting from home or tle voice in some salespersons’ minds on-site presentations. If you don’t, you an informal business environment, it’s that says, “Hey, you’re not meeting in may miss something which could be a important to look professional. While someone else’s office. You’re in fa- deal maker or deal breaker. a business suit is not necessarily re- miliar surroundings, and you know so quired, be sure to look neat. And don’t much about your product that you can John Foust conducts training forget to smile. make the sale just by talking off the programs for newspaper advertising professionals. E-mail for information: 3. Camera movement. My wife had cuff.” [email protected] a recent call, in which one of the partic- Don’t listen to that voice. The only Into the Issues That’s why two of our webinar guests emphasizes local news but also is part Into the Issues were from papers whose readers have of the Granite State News Collaborative by Al Cross demonstrated through donations that and uses material from VTDigger, a Ver- they know their papers’ value: John mont investigative newsroom. Gregg, news editor of the daily Valley Readers, who Gregg said “vary from A new maxim – or is it a mandate? – News in West Lebanon, N.H., and Laurie fifth-generation dairy farmers to school of the newspaper business is “Get more Ezzell Brown, editor and publisher of The bus drivers to heart surgeons,” surely revenue from your audience.” But that Canadian Record, a weekly in the Texas appreciated the News’s comprehensive doesn’t have to come entirely in the form Panhandle. Direct reader support coverage of the pandemic, which Gregg of higher subscription or single-copy pric- is helping the News thrive, and it’s help- discussed on the webinar and was ex- es; if you produce good journalism, you ing the Record survive. empted from the daily’s five-story pay- can get direct contributions from readers, When the pandemic suppressed ad- wall. “It was so clear that people were and some community newspapers have vertising and the Newspapers of New really dependent on us for news and proven it. England chain decided to appeal for were, you know, stuck at home, and all That was the big headline from “Suc- reader donations, the News set a goal the more we were their connection to the cess Stories in Rural Journalism,” a webi- of $50,000. “Within five days we got that community.” nar the Institute for Rural Journalism and from about 600 contributors,” Gregg said. Coronavirus news made Brown pub- Community Issues held with four commu- “By early June we had raised $155,000 lish more pages in her weekly than she nity editors on July 30. The frame for it from about 1,500 people.” It made The probably should have, but people in was our belief that the two main solutions Rural Blog, at https://tinyurl.com/y2tuo- Hemphill County are accustomed to extra to challenges facing the news business rvy. effort from the Record, which has been in are quality journalism, and helping peo- Residents of the 40 Upper Connecti- her family for 75 years. But the last three ple understand what it is – distinguishing cut River Valley towns covered by the years have been hard, she said. journalism from other kinds of informa- Valley News clearly wanted to keep read- tion, and helping people realize its value. ing a first-class small daily. The paper issues continued on page 8 September 2020 AlaPressa 8

ter from “a well-seasoned rancher” who pers and advertising, but the value of our issues “announced that he was writing $1,000 newspapers is more than the amount of continued from page 7 check to start a fund to help keep the Ca- money we deposit in the bank each week. nadian Record going and invited others to To the communities we serve, we are “We’ve survived crippling ice storms, do the same. This was completely unso- where they come when things go right, but devastating drought, deadly wildfires and licited; it came out of the blue,” and more more importantly when things go horribly tornadoes, and dramatic downturns in our donations came. “The fund that Jerry es- wrong. They trust us because they know two main industries . . . oil and gas, and tablished has been the thing that’s kept us us and that isn’t something that any month cattle ranching,” Brown said. “It doesn’t going for at least two months; we’re not in recap or spreadsheet can ever reflect.” even hold a candle to the impact of the vi- paying the bills any other way.” Nelson said, “I think I think Ben speaks rus has had on the small businesses that Landmark Community Newspapers for all of our committed rural editors.” . . . had been our essential partners in in hasn’t asked for donations, but it has kept Jennifer P. Brown, editor-publisher of the business of delivering the news to our up its editorial quality, as Executive Editor the Hoptown Chronicle, a digital startup in readers.” John Nelson made clear with examples Hopkinsville, Ky., provided another exam- But two years ago, a seed was planted on the webinar, such as in-depth cover- ple of how giving readers news they need that has helped the paper survive. When age of opioids by The Lancaster (S.C.) and want can pay off. When the pandemic a county commissioner said at a meeting, News, Missouri River floods by the Opin- hit, she converted the startup’s weekly “Nobody reads the newspaper anymore,” ion-Tribune of Glenwod, Iowa, and pro- newsletter (“almost like they were having Brown wrote an editorial explaining how posed “guardians” of schools by the Citrus a weekly paper delivered to them digi- wrong he was and inviting him to read the County Chronicle in Florida. tally”) into a daily coronavirus report, and paper. “The response to that was pretty The example from Nelson that really her readership more than doubled. “Our immediate, and very emotional,” she re- rang our bell, though, was a column by coronavirus coverage really transformed called. Editor-Publisher Ben Carlson of The An- Hoptown Chronicle and made many more As the economy worsened, Brown was derson News in Lawrenceburg, Ky., in readers aware of what we could do for frank with her readers: “The Record is fac- Landmark’s company newsletter. It told them,” she said. You can watch the we- ing an uncertain financial future.” She said how a man whose 14-year-old son had binar at https://tinyurl.com/y628bsdc. We in the webinar, “I worry that we’ve written drowned refused to talk with TV reporters hope to have more such webinars as we too much about the difficulty newspapers because “He did not want anyone to tell build a national community of rural jour- are facing today. I have never wanted to the story but the Anderson News.” nalists. If you have ideas for them, let us make us the story. But I realized at some Carlson wrote that he shared the story know. point that it IS the story, that it’s one that’s “for those of you who feel beaten down by crucial to our communities and that needs circulation struggles, revenue concerns Al Cross is director of the University telling, and that what happens next will re- and the constant drumbeat about how our of Kentucky’s Institute for Rural shape the future of our communities.” industry is not only dying, it has become Journalism and Community Issues, As the pandemic made Brown wonder irrelevant. Nothing could be further from which publishes The Rural Blog at if she could keep publishing, she got a let- the truth. Yes. We’d like to sell more pa- http://irjci.blogspot.com.

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