By Peter W. Wagner The “good old days,” when the hometown newspaper was often the only game in town, are gone forever. New digital platforms are arriving, and sometimes disappearing, quicker than an editor can shout “stop the press.” But digital competition isn’t just upsetting the newspaper and shopper industry. …
Read More »A great promotion for winter — or any season
By Peter W. Wagner “All Roads Lead to” is an easy-to-produce alternative to the traditional progress sections many newspapers publish sometime during the year. But the traditional large, all-inclusive progress sections of the past can often be difficult to produce. The huge size of the finished piece can quickly consume …
Read More »Social, yes. News, not so much.
by Peter W. Wagner Community newspaper publishers shouldn’t worry that social media will force them down the road of last century’s buggy whip factories. Buggy whips were manufactured for just one purpose. There was little demand for them when automobiles replaced the horse-drawn buggy. Community newspapers, however, serve many needs …
Read More »Full-time general assignment reporter for The Pahrump Valley Times & Times-Bonanza & Goldfield News
The Pahrump Valley Times & Times-Bonanza & Goldfield News is seeking to fill a full-time general assignment reporter to cover a variety of diverse beats. The reporter will write a variety of content for both publication’s print newspaper, website and social media channels that includes, but not limited to, investigations, features, …
Read More »Reporting on problems while seeking solutions
by Bart Pfankuch With a few simple questions, and just a little extra effort, reporters and editors can quickly improve the quality and value of their work and raise the profile and credibility of their news organization. And if done correctly, and regularly, this new method of reporting stories can …
Read More »Big Promotions vs. Little Promotions
With so many of Main Street’s retail stores closing — and the loss of their weekly retail ads — newspapers and shoppers need to find new ways to promote and sell advertising. One way is to produce profitable, multi-market special sections that attract the attention of a wide band of …
Read More »Reno to host NPA’s 2021 convention
The Nevada Press Association Board of Directors voted unanimously last week to hold the 2021 convention in Reno. The annual event was last held in Reno in 2007. “We’re looking forward to hosting the next Nevada Press Association convention in the Biggest Little City next year — assuming we’re able …
Read More »Towns often shrivel up when the local paper closes
High School student Johnny Jenkins, the local jeweler’s son, hit two bases-loaded home runs during the school’s baseball game last Friday. But most of the locals won’t know about Jenkins’ batting proficiency until the paper comes out next Wednesday. The community appreciates the local team, but few actually attend the …
Read More »2020 Awards of Excellence – Winning Entries
Here are the results of the 2020 Nevada Press Foundation Awards of Excellence, honoring the best in Nevada journalism, advertising, design and photography. The top link (“Awards Tabloid”) is a PDF of the 24-page tabloid featuring the complete results along with judges’ comments as well as photos and graphics from …
Read More »Newspaper reps need to offer customers more assistance
By Peter W. Wagner Few customers would enter a bakery to buy a cake and expect to make the batter yourself. Nor would they schedule repair work on their car and assume they’d have to provide all the parts. Selling newspaper and shopper advertising is more difficult today than it …
Read More »