How to start and publish an independent Newspaper

Free Republic ^ | 09/21/2003 | Chad Fairbanks

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, any experiences, ideas, problems, solutions etc... that you can share will be VERY much appreciated :0)

[djf]

Puget Sound freepers, roller coaster accident at the Puyallup fair, no details yet...

[GOPJ]

Distribute papers in areas that support your advertisers. Distribution outside advertisers boundaries is fun, but destructive to your paper's survival. Word of mouth matters. Also, skip vanity printings. The number of pages printed is dependent on column inches sold. Keep it honest.

When distributing, be creative. The more you distribute, the more people you will reach with your message.

[Chad Fairbanks]

True enough - Although, people who subscribe to conservative magazines, newspapers, and wesites and the like have already for the most part made up their mind on where they stand on given issues.

I'm trying to consider ways to reach new people - people who, possibly, could be persuaded to take a look at what we have to say. I do, however, understand exactly what you are saying :0)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Exactly - consider that the larger newspapers only really have a little space for smaller localities - a small, community-focused publication that gave people more information about the goings--on in their own community might be worthwhile... that, and local small businesses might be more inclined to advertise locally...???

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Noted.

Best of luck to you, Chad - I know it will be great.

[djf]

Two cars bumped in the station, no big deal, everyone seems ok.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks... :0)

[Mark Turbo]

The Rhinoceres Times has been a successful conservative weekly newspaper for about 10 years now. If you're serious about getting a paper started, John and William Hammer, the editor and publisher respectively, are bound to have good advice.

[Chad Fairbanks]

THanks for the link, and the idea!

[Maigrey]

If you are hoping to eventually expand your readership demographic base, then (as an idea)I wouldn't bash the readers over the head with the strict and staunch conservatism, but have a balance of issues and coverage topics.

Finally, what is your main goal for this project? The modern day Hearst? If that is the case, I doubt you'll make it immediately. (more like long term growth and valuation.) or are you in it for more lofty goals, other than making money? This should drive your business plan and working solutions.

So, if you want to expand the readership base, there is a way to do it: keep it simple, honest, and (with the writers's who are professionals rather than lil' DNC robots!) with the least amount of bias possible. (This would require a couple of good editors.) This will build a strong readership base, and also sell papers/get people to pick up the paper.

If you choose to get started with rookies, keep this in mind:
Most kids going through J-school are being indoctrinated into media bias, and aren't even taught that they have the biases, and how to deal with them. I grew out of mine, and write better because of it. So, getting a mix of rookies and professionals (who could be mentors) would be sufficient, in the eventuality you expand.

Finally, the biggest driving force of a paper is integrity! If a paper isn't credible, or has a habit of printing gossip, or fabrications, then the readership will suffer, and so will cash flow (namely, advertisers!) (See the NYT as a prime example. They've lost upwards of 10% of their readership, and 10% of their advertising revenue, for a loss of 6% this quarter. Sure, they blame the advertisers and cash flow, but if the paper you're selling doesn't have the credibility, then what makes people want to read it?

Finally, (and this is a personal pet peeve!) when you are getting quotes for articles, don't publish with anonymous sources. This ruins credibility, and it gives the next person supplying information a carte blanche for the same thing.

[deport]

"The Armadillo Times".

---

Take it easy on the 'nine banded' creature?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, right now, as I stated before, I'm researching - However, could you imagine if every FR Chapter published a paper in their community? Just an idea tossed out there LOL...

However, credibility, integrity, and honesty would certainly play a major role in whatever the eventual plan entails.

THis was an idea that our chapter tossed out as a concept, and this thread is part of the research into it. As far as being a modern-day Hearst, I don't see that as being in the realm of possibilities. But, you never know what could happen. People are starved for unbiased news, and it would certainly be interesting trying to provide it to them :0)

[Maigrey]

Ya know, I just had another idea: why not print some good news along with the other stuff?

[Chad Fairbanks]

LOL... That WOULD be a novel idea!

[GOPJ]

Students often have trouble with complex concepts like "deadlines". Putting a paper out late will sink credibility. Until the ropes are easy, ask to see clips. No clips, no job. Soften up when you're established and can afford greater risk. My suggestion: buy cheap camera ready conservative copy from syndicates. Your readers will like reading the best conservative thinkers, and the cost is cheap for small papers - often pennies per column.

Another thing to consider will be: how are you going to get writers for the paper? College students on a per-word basis, interns, or community members who submit articles on consignment?

[GOPJ]

If you had a consortium of papers, you could go after the larger advertisers. Cool idea:

Well, right now, as I stated before, I'm researching - However, could you imagine if every FR Chapter published a paper in their community? Just an idea tossed out there LOL...

[Hilltop]

As a newspaper publisher, I would recommend you start with a self inventory. Do you have the experience in marketing, advertising and journalism.

Have you written a detailed business plan delineating your overall strategy for profitability. After all, printers and vendors desire to be paid for their services.

Whatis your distribution model. Is it going to be free? Will your enterprise be funded by paid circulation including racks and subscriptions.

Have you incorporated, if so which type of corporation?Will your venture be capitalized to withstand months of negative cash flow?

Have you obtained a quote on errors and omissions coverage?

Will you hire and retain a staff of writers, layout and design personnel, graphic artists, circulation department, public relations?

Is your venture driven by your heart or your head. It's a trite question, but one that begs an answer.

Business is quite simple actually, it's either on the cost side or the revenue side.

Most people fail, not from lack of knowledge, but from lack of execution.

Free mail me if I can be of any assistance.

Hilltop

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for your input. Since this thread is, after all, a research discussion (in order to come up with a common-sense workable plan of execution), I would have to say that this idea is from the head, versus from the heart :0)

[joesbucks]

Chad:

Interesting proposal. I like a person who has a dream and is looking for ways to implement it.

I've scanned the responses and thought I'd add some of my own.

You're right. Most of the "freebie" papers are very liberal in nature. Politically, I'm to the left of most folks here at FR, but to the right of the general public. When I pick up most of the "freebies" I'm often shocked by what I read. One paper in my area is devoted to gay issues, another centers on the performing arts but has Dr. Ruth type column that would shock a sailer. And let's face it, most performing arts and artists are far to the left. But you're right. They are loaded with ads. But look at the ads they carry. The paper I referred to carry's ads for the local "head shop" (I wonder what those rolling papers are really used for), lots of 900 numbers for dating (straight and gay) and tons of "Booby Bar" ads. Is that the type of advertising you want supporting your conservative paper? But then again, who else would you get? Those places seem to make money and have money to advertise.

Second, who are you going to get to write for your paper? I don't care what the people say here on FR, copyright is copyright. And people like Coulter, Will, and others are under contract by their syndicates. Print their stuff and you'll have a law suit faster than you can say Washington Post/LA Times. Same goes for copy from the major news and wire services. And yes, even the lib papers pay to print the Onion. So that leaves you with the also rans (and some of them are great writers who just haven't received the right promotion.) Yet at some point in time, they too will want $$$. You'll have to have someone, if not yourself solicit for advertising, do payroll, pay for distribution and distribution racks, compose and print.

It may be a wonderful labor of love that may blossom.

Regarding the internet, I think the same would hold true. I've seen numerous sights linked to from this site that are similar to what you are proposing. Many have languished. Why did FR, Drudge and Lucianne prosper? They served a niche when a niche was needed. Right place, right time right set of circumstances.

When there is no niche needed, it's very difficult. The others languish because that special niche hasn't been called for and they are also rans of FR, Drudge etal. There are probably 20 other conservative news forums, yet FR is tops. There are several News link websites, yet Drudge is tops.

Best of luck. If you have a dream, don't let anyone get in the way. Even if it fails, it will be a learning experience.