Newspaper sites' demographics
After my post about OregonLive.com last week, I had to laugh when I saw this headline in OJR: Newspaper Web Sites Struggle to Attract Younger Readers. Maybe they're just getting skewed demographic data. ;)
In all fairness though, they even give OregonLive.com as a good example of attracting younger readers. Online Editor Cosgrove said part of their secret is that they've recruited community members to cover high school sports events: "'These volunteer reporters are students, parents, the lady who sells hot dogs, and even one guy who's a local councilman,' Cosgrove said. 'It's a real cross section of the community.'"
Now if they would just give all of these people their own customizable weblogs, they could cover even more aspects of their communities year round. Then the paper could highlight the best reporting.
In all fairness though, they even give OregonLive.com as a good example of attracting younger readers. Online Editor Cosgrove said part of their secret is that they've recruited community members to cover high school sports events: "'These volunteer reporters are students, parents, the lady who sells hot dogs, and even one guy who's a local councilman,' Cosgrove said. 'It's a real cross section of the community.'"
Now if they would just give all of these people their own customizable weblogs, they could cover even more aspects of their communities year round. Then the paper could highlight the best reporting.