Newspapers and How I Would Change Them

Empower News Readers to Become News Gatherers

Newspaper circulation is falling, but the paper still has many hardcore followers.

If I were at the helm of a newspaper I would bring these hardcore followers into the fold to forge a new beginning.

How?

News Gathering Workshops + Free Video Recorders

Businesses like the Travel Channel are turning aspiring filmmakers into travel journalists, and newspapers can do this too (it’s called reverse syndication).

The benefit to TC is fielding an army of content producers who will share their work and benefit from exposure on a popular cable network.

Students learn how to create and edit digital video, which can then be shared with the world on YouTube and other video sharing websites.

Video Needs to be Easy to Shoot

Newspapers can turn readers into news makers by providing them one touch video recorders along with an introductory video class.

No experts needed.

If I can teach my videophobic father how to operate a recorder, I can teach members of the community to press a button, record a story, then upload it to a newspaper blog.

My concern lies in creating quality content readers will find relevant. That’s the crux of my ‘News Video 101′ class: teaching users what stories are interesting and will help build an audience.

The advantages I would provide class members includes ‘How to Create the Ultimate Social Media Resume‘ so they can build their own online following while they support the newspaper they enjoy.

Photo credit aloshbennet