Monthly Archives: November 2011

Student researchers: Successful “watchdog” websites focus on audience engagement, distribution partnerships, diverse revenue streams

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Rich Gordon

Nonprofit “watchdog” websites find success by building connections with people, engaging them through online conversations, establishing distribution partnerships and diversifying revenue sources, a team of graduate journalism students reported today. “Nonprofit Watchdog News: What’s Working?” was produced by seven journalism … Continue reading →

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Don’t go it alone when looking for a Web host

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Sally Duros

When you’re looking for a Web host, don’t go it alone.  This is one case where word of mouth beats out the usual methods of  Web search. Lots of folks are  looking for hosts, and  in turn lots of hosts … Continue reading →

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In Seattle, Crosscut focuses on ‘News of the Great Nearby’

Posted on November 10, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

By Kathleen Majorsky Crosscut is a site that has been around for awhile, as start ups go, and has moved through a couple of iterations. In that sense, it reflects the entrepreneurial path many Block by Block sites are on … Continue reading →

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Lessons in entrepreneurship: Small ad platform starts to make big money

Posted on November 8, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

By Julia Scott BargainBabe.com Talking to Emily Lowrey, founder of ShopBirmingham, was like getting kicked in the pants. While major news sites struggle to generate online revenue streams, Lowrey has it figured out. “We’ve been profitable since the first month,” … Continue reading →

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NOWCastSA models community engagement for a digital age

Posted on November 7, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

By Kathleen Majorsky NOWCastSA uses a multi-platform approach to civic engagement in the San Antonio, TX area. Through infographics, Google maps, webcasts and live chats, NOWCastSA is providing a multimedia forum for citizens to take part in and change their … Continue reading →

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Locally Grown News: ‘Passion is the first thing you learn’

Posted on November 4, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

By Kathleen Majorsky Inspired by Michelle Ferrier’s love for gardening and farmers markets, Locally Grown News is an online community that centers around eating locally grown food and living sustainable, healthy lifestyles. Ferrier calls her site hyper-local/hyper-topical, and hopes that … Continue reading →

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Oakland Local cited for Occupy Oakland coverage

Posted on November 3, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

The Columbia Journalism Review has published a post recognizing Oakland Local‘s all-out coverage of Occupy Oakland protests. After an Oakland Local story about the injury of an Iraq War veteran by police was widely circulated on social media and other … Continue reading →

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Online news publishers ponder pay for ad sales staff

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Sally Duros

Online news publishers are offering a mix of compensation to ad sales staff, I found in an informal sampling. Teresa Wippel, publisher of MyEdmondsnews, an online publisher serving Edmonds, Wash., pays her ad sales staff commission only. She pays a … Continue reading →

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Who is Block by Block? Meet emPower and DeShuna Spencer

Posted on November 1, 2011 by MicheleMcLellan

By Kathleen Majorsky emPower magazine is a site that focuses on social issues in the African-American community. DeShuna Spencer wants her audience to take action in the African-American community. Spencer is a prime example of that goal herself: she took … Continue reading →

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