inner circle 2016 - Gatehouse Media

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To be able to complete this initiative, you must have access to an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, or a Windows Pho
INNER CIRCLE 2016 Mid-sized and large newsrooms GATEHOUSE MEDIA

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INNER CIRCLE

Program goals ü AUDIENCE GROWTH Focuses on content that drives pageviews, increases engaged time on site and promotes social sharing

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Program goals ü AUDIENCE GROWTH Focuses on content that drives pageviews, increases engaged time on site and promotes social sharing

ü QUALITY CONTENT Priority placed on in-depth news and video, with digital tools and additional social media expectations for larger newsrooms

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Program goals ü AUDIENCE GROWTH Focuses on content that drives pageviews, increases engaged time on site and promotes social sharing

ü QUALITY CONTENT Priority placed on in-depth news and video, with digital tools and additional social media expectations for larger newsrooms

ü BETTER BALANCE Program has been adjusted to better fit the needs and abilities of our smaller newsrooms

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Field feedback Inner Circle 2016 program reflects a number of changes made based on feedback received through the first two quarters of 2015. SMALL NEWSROOMS ARE OVERWHELMED Inner Circle expectations put a strain on limited resources in small newsrooms. The 2016 program focuses on the most important initiatives, promoting quality above quantity. NEWSROOMS VALUE OPTIONS Offers a variety of options for newsrooms to fulfill expectations, tailoring the program to meet needs of each unique community. INCREASED DIGITAL PRESENCE Newsroom leaders expressed desire to experiment with digital tools and receive Inner Circle credit for their creativity. COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Field feedback Newsroom Development also worked closely with a focus group of editors from diverse markets to vet the Inner Circle 2016 program. CHANGES INCLUDE • Revised breakdown of newsroom size categories • Expanded selections in some categories • Stronger emphasis on social media platforms

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Inner Circle Handbook Complete handbook is available at

GATEHOUSENEWSROOM.COM Scroll to bottom of page, under “HANDBOOKS” click “INNER CIRCLE”

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INNER CIRCLE

Expectations STAFF SIZE 1-8 • CURRENT REQUIREMENTS 8 • NEW REQUIREMENTS 5 2015 EXPECTATIONS

2016 EXPECTATIONS

Video

Video

Facebook

Facebook

In-depth news

Twitter for reporters

Photo galleries

In-depth news

Lists

Things to do

Seen-on-Scene Reader engagement In-depth news Twitter for reporters COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Expectations STAFF SIZE 9-18 • CURRENT REQUIREMENTS 11 • NEW REQUIREMENTS 7 2015 EXPECTATIONS

2016 EXPECTATIONS

News video

News video

In-depth news

In-depth news

Lists

Lists OR quizzes

Twitter

Twitter

Seen-on-Scene

Facebook

Photo galleries

LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram OR Snapchat

Entertainment video

Digital ‘win’ tools

Facebook Social media option (1) Reader engagement (2) COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Expectations STAFF SIZE 19+ • CURRENT REQUIREMENTS 15 • NEW REQUIREMENTS 9 2015 EXPECTATIONS

2016 EXPECTATIONS

In-depth news

News video

Lists

In-depth news

Twitter

Lists OR quizzes

Seen-on-Scene

Twitter for reporters

Project reporting FOIA reporting

Facebook

Photo galleries

Digital ‘win’ tools

News video

Community engagement

Entertainment video

Data journalism

LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram OR Snapchat

Facebook Social media option (2) Reader engagement (3) COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Category weighting

REQUIRED

FOR CERTIFICATION

In-depth News video Lists or quizzes Digital ‘win’ tools

MISS ONE

STILL CERTIFIED

Facebook Twitter for reporters Social media selections

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Recognition ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR CONSISTENT CERTIFICATION Plaques will be given to newsrooms certified three consecutive quarters, starting in Q1. Special plaques for newsrooms that achieve 100 percent certifications three quarters in a row.

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Determining staff size FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES Everyone in your newsroom who contributes to the editorial product – including editors, photographers, sports reporters, newsroom assistants, etc. NOT INCLUDED Designers, revenue-supporting staff (ad reps, those who handle classifieds/announcements) FREELANCE STAFF Also not included; however, multiple part-time employees, who add up to one full position, would count OPEN POSITIONS If a position is open, but was occupied for most of the quarter, we count it; if the position is open, but you intend to fill it, we count it

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Expectations

STAFF SIZE 9-13 News Video

8 per week

In-depth news

2 per week

Lists OR quizzes

4 per quarter

Twitter

2 per day, per reporter

Facebook

6 per day

Social media LinkedIn/Pinterest/Instagram/Snapchat

2 per week

Digital ‘win’ tools

15 per quarter

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Expectations

STAFF SIZE 14-18 News Video

14 per week

In-depth news

2 per week

Lists OR quizzes

6 per quarter

Twitter

2 per day, per reporter

Facebook

6 per day

Social media LinkedIn/Pinterest/Instagram/Snapchat

2 per week

Digital ‘win’ tools

20 per quarter

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Expectations

STAFF SIZE 19-29 News Video

14 per week

In-depth news

2 per week

Lists OR quizzes

8 per quarter

Twitter

2 per day, per reporter

Facebook

8 per day

Social media

3 per week

Digital ‘win’ tools

25 per quarter

Data journalism

1 per quarter

Community engagement Reader advisory boards, town hall meetings, local panels

1 per month / 1 per quarter

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Expectations

STAFF SIZE 30-49 News Video

20 per week

In-depth news

5 per week

Lists OR quizzes

10 per quarter

Twitter

2 per day, per reporter

Facebook

8 per day

Social media

4 per week

Digital ‘win’ tools

30 per quarter

Data journalism

1 per quarter

Community engagement Reader advisory boards, town hall meetings, local panels

1 per month / 1 per quarter

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Expectations

STAFF SIZE 50+ News Video

25 per week

In-depth news

7 per week

Lists OR quizzes

12 per quarter

Twitter

2 per day, per reporter

Facebook

8 per day

Social media

5 per week

Digital ‘win’ tools

40 per quarter

Data journalism

1 per quarter

Community engagement Reader advisory boards, town hall meetings, local panels

1 per month / 1 per quarter

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News video

VIDEO

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIRED FOR ALL NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

0-2

1

3-4

2

5-8

4

9-13

8

14-18

14

19-29

14

30-49

20

50+

25

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News video WHY NEWS VIDEO? The goal is to attract more page views and increase engagement time on site. As mobile audience grows, video is increasingly crucial to our digital success. Whether it’s breaking news, sports highlights or feature news content, videos have become a popular content on GateHouse web and mobile sites.

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News video NEW TOOL: TOUT Tout allows reporters to shoot and edit video while in the field using their smart phones. Videos are automatically matched with related stories, eliminating the need for manual desktop uploads. Tout will be rolled out to all daily publications, as well as a number of weeklies, in early 2016.

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News video SHOOTING VIDEO Videos recorded on mobile are meant to be quick-hit, low production and limited to a minute. For long-form and higher production videos of up to 10 minutes, use traditional cameras. ALL VIDEOS will count toward Inner Circle certification.

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News video EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Videos must be produced with expected consistency. This will be verified during Inner Circle evaluation week. • There are no length or production requirements.

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News video VIDEO IDEAS • Crime-related • Fire and crashes • Vigils, memorial sites, remembrances of victims • Weather – during and aftermath • Business features • Local events, celebrations • Sports previews, action clips • Plays, musicals and concerts • Construction project updates • Youth bands • Coach/athlete Q&A • Fan of the game COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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In-depth news

IN-DEPTH NEWS

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIRED FOR ALL NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

1

3-4

1

5-8

1

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

3

30-49

5

50+

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In-depth news WHAT IS IN-DEPTH? Compelling, enterprising news that provides more than a rehashing of an event or press release – stories that take a proactive approach, provide answers, or prompt action on an issue. Newsrooms should strive to cover topics that resonate with readers, tell the stories no one else is telling, answer reader questions and look forward to what’s next.

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In-depth news EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Stories must have at least two sources – preferably three or more • Stories must be reporter-driven – not event or meeting coverage or from a press release • Stories must have a paragraph or breakout that clearly explains why the story is important for local readers

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In-depth news AT LEAST TWO SOURCES Getting news without balance is often a recipe for disaster. Making sure that multiple sources are included in your in-depth story is a key. Reports or documents can be included as a source, but remember that quoting multiple people from the same source (a police department or school district) still only counts as one.

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In-depth news REPORTER-DRIVEN In-depth news stories should be an idea a reporter has thought about digging a little deeper into – a topic or issue that will resonate with multiple portions of the community. For example, this story that appeared in the Massillon (Ohio) Independent answered a question that could apply to nearly everyone in the community: When are you cited in a traffic crash?

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In-depth news NUGRAF – a paragraph that tells readers why the topic is pertinent. Ask yourself this question: Why is this important to my readers? Ex: in “Road wage” story, the costs for those who drive drunk are detailed, explaining to readers what consequences might be suffered if that law is broken. It has a specific benefit to the reader, explaining why it’s important information.

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Lists or quizzes

LISTS / QUIZZES

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

TWO OPTIONS, MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

4

14-18

6

19-29

8

30-49

10

50+

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Lists / quizzes

LOCAL LISTS OPTION ONE OF TWO, LARGE NEWSROOMS

Staff write articles in the form of numbered lists, focusing on local places, history or areas of interest

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Local lists EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • All lists should be posted online to your site • Lists should have at least three items, with at least one related photo • Each item should contain a brief explainer of one to two full sentences, providing details about the item or justification for its inclusion on the list

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Local lists EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • List items must be specific to your local readers (no generic or non-local list themes) • List items within a single list must be unified by a common theme. Ex: “5 things to do this weekend” lists do not count – these lists are just a collection of unrelated events that happen to be occurring during a certain span of time. However, a “5 things to do this Fourth of July weekend” list would be certified, because the unifying theme is the holiday.

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Lists / quizzes

QUIZZES

OPTION TWO OF TWO, LARGE NEWSROOMS

Local topics, built using online tool like QZZR that can be embedded onto your website – heavily promoted using social media

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Lists / quizzes

QUIZZES

OPTION TWO OF TWO, LARGE NEWSROOMS

Free quiz tools: • Engaging News Project – graded quizzes • Qzzr – graded and outcome-driven quizzes • Vox – more complex tool for those comfortable with coding More information on using these tools in the Inner Circle 2016 Handbook

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Quizzes EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Quizzes should have at least five questions • Quiz topics must be local (for quizzes, this includes regional and, in some cases, statewide) audiences (no generic or nonlocal topics) • Quizzes should appear on your site as embeds

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Quizzes QUIZ IDEAS • How much do you know about our town’s history? • How well do you know our state’s symbols? • How well do you know downtown? • How well do you know the local dining scene? • Before the high school rivalry game: How much do you know about local football? • Do you know which local legends are true?

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Twitter for reporters

TWITTER

DAILY EXPECTATIONS

ALL FULL-TIME REPORTERS, ALL NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

2

3-4

2

5-8

2

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

2

30-49

2

50+

2

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Twitter for reporters WHY TWITTER? Increasingly, Twitter is a place where our readers are, and we should be there with them. Reporters create professional Twitter accounts to increase their community interaction, as well as their ability to find sources and stories.

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Twitter for reporters EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Every full time GateHouse reporter should have a professional, individual Twitter account that is separate from the newspaper’s Twitter account • Every reporter should tweet at least twice a day, seven days a week. Tweets may be scheduled to post on days they are not working

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Twitter for reporters TWITTER FOR REPORTERS Scheduled tweets examples: • Link to photo gallery from earlier that week • A telling or interesting quote from a story you recently wrote • Seeking sources for upcoming stories Live-tweeting examples: • Breaking news • High school games that generate a lot of interest, like cross-town football rivalries

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Facebook

FACEBOOK

DAILY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIRED FOR ALL NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

0-2

2

3-4

3

5-8

4

9-13

6

14-18

6

19-29

8

30-49

8

50+

8

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Facebook WHY FACEBOOK? The goal of newspaper Facebook pages is to engage with readership, both by posting news and photos and through conversations with fans, and to drive page views to our websites. Facebook can also help reporters to find sources or subjects for upcoming stories.

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Facebook EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Newsrooms must post to Facebook page with expected consistency seven days per week • Posts must be generated manually, instead of through automatic feeds • Newsrooms must be running a Facebook business page, not a profile

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Facebook INCREASING REACH AND ENGAGEMENT • Promote your Facebook page in print, online • Post a mix of content types – questions, links, statuses, photos and videos • Consider when your followers are online (mornings, evenings) For more tips and best practices, see Inner Circle 2016 Handbook

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Social media selections

LINKEDIN

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION ONE OF FOUR, MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

3

30-49

4

50+

5

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Social media selections: LinkedIn WHY LINKEDIN? 380 million users have created profiles on LinkedIn as of July 2015, to create professional networks and, for those hunting for employment, to scout out companies and job openings. Newspapers should establish a LinkedIn presence by posting content from their news sites to the platform. While newspapers can also use LinkedIn as a recruiting tool, Inner Circle will focus on consistent editorial posting.

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Social media selections: LinkedIn EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Newsroom staff or editor posts editorial content to newsroom’s company LinkedIn page with expected consistency • Posts considered for Inner Circle consist of editorial content; recruitment efforts are encouraged but not evaluated

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Social media selections

PINTEREST

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION TWO OF FOUR, MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

3

30-49

4

50+

5

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Social media selections: Pinterest WHY PINTEREST? Pinterest, the social platform and self-described search and discovery service, is becoming more relevant. The number of Pinterest users doubled between March 2014 and September 2015, with a total estimate of 100 million monthly active users reported in September 2015, according to Marketing Land.

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Social media selections: Pinterest EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Newsroom staff or editor posts visually-oriented content and promotes newspaper’s brand with expected consistency

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Social media selections: Pinterest WHAT TO PIN • Local wedding photos • Reader photo callouts • Recipes • Prom photos • Great local sports photos • Great local news photos • From our archives • Local restaurants • New baby announcement photos • Graduation photos • Front page of the day • Home and garden photos COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Social media selections

INSTAGRAM

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION THREE OF FOUR, MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

3

30-49

4

50+

5

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Social media selections: Instagram WHY INSTAGRAM? Instagram is a useful tool for newsrooms looking to create a sense of community with their readers – its strength is in building a reader experience, not in generating site traffic. The app boasts 400 million monthly active users as of November 2015, and an engagement rate that is 15 times that of Facebook’s.

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Social media selections: Instagram EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Newsroom staff or editor posts with expected consistency To be able to complete this initiative, you must have access to an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, or a Windows Phone 8 and later.

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Social media selections: Instagram WHAT TO POST • Behind-the-scenes – photos of the newsroom, photoshoots, interviews or other aspects of the newsgathering process • From the archives – photography from the newspaper’s archives featuring local businesses, etc. • Photojournalism pieces – compelling photos taken by staff photographers or reporters • Reader-contributed content – repost great photos from readers, making sure to tag them in the photo itself and/ or caption

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Social media selections

SNAPCHAT

WEEKLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION FOUR OF FOUR, MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

2

14-18

2

19-29

3

30-49

4

50+

5

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Social media selections: Snapchat WHY SNAPCHAT? As Snapchat’s audiences and emphasis expand, more journalists are experimenting with the app. Its benefits come not in the form of site traffic, but in cultivating new audiences and in building community. As of May 2015, Snapchat reports 100 million daily active users, 71 percent of which are under 34 years old. The platform provides newsrooms with a unique tool to connect with a younger, often less-engaged demographic.

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Social media selections: Snapchat EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Newsroom staff or editor creates Snapchat stories with expected consistency To able to complete this initiative, you must have access to either an iOS or Android smartphone.

Newsrooms that select Snapchat: email [email protected] your newsroom’s Snapchat account name at the beginning of the quarter. Evaluators will check in periodically throughout the quarter to evaluate this initiative, rather than attempting to evaluate it at the quarter’s end.

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Social media selections: Snapchat WHAT TO SNAP • Behind-the-scenes • Sneak peaks • Weather • Clips from interviews • Newsroom festivities • Community events

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Digital ‘win’ tools

DIGITAL TOOLS

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIRED FOR ALL MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

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5-8

-

9-13

15

14-18

20

19-29

25

30-49

30

50+

40

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Digital ‘win’ tools

DIGITAL TOOLS

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIRED FOR ALL MID-SIZED & LARGE NEWSROOMS

Choice of multiple digital tools that enhance local reporting efforts, like embeddable, interactive graphics or interactive maps •  ScribbleLive •  Graphiq embeds •  Google Maps •  Periscope •  Knight Lab tools •  Storify •  Full list available in Inner Circle Handbook COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Digital ‘win’ tools WHY DIGITAL TOOLS? The digital ‘win’ initiative was created to encourage experimentation within newsrooms, and to ensure publications stay on the cusp of digital trends and innovations. Newsrooms may select multiple suggested digital tools that enhance local reporting efforts, including embeddable, interactive graphics and maps.

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Digital ‘win’ tools EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Selected digital tools were either on approved tool list or were individually approved by Newsroom Development team at the beginning of the quarter • Tools were used with expected consistency (newsrooms may mix and match tools to hit quantity expectations) • Individual tools may include additional expectations that should be met by newsrooms who select these tools

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Reader engagement

READER BOARD

MONTHLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION ONE OF THREE, LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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-

3-4

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5-8

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9-13

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14-18

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19-29

1

30-49

1

50+

1

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Reader engagement READER ADVISORY BOARDS – gain feedback from local residents, prompting positive change in your print and digital products.

EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • For newsrooms that select reader advisory boards, meetings must be held once monthly • The editor or publisher should write a column about the meeting and explain what was discussed and what the paper is going to do about the feedback. The submission of this column will be required for Inner Circle.

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Reader engagement READER ADVISORY BOARD GUIDELINES Boards should consist of 12 members, but in smaller markets, at least six are recommended. Members should commit to at least three meetings. Request specific feedback – not “What would you change about the paper?” but “What would you change about the opinion page?” Your board should be a diverse group without special interests or causes – no PTA board members, chamber of commerce presidents, elected government officials, etc.

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Reader engagement

TOWN MEETING

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION TWO OF THREE, LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

0-2

-

3-4

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5-8

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9-13

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14-18

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19-29

1

30-49

1

50+

1

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Town hall meeting TOWN HALL MEETINGS – Newspaper hosts community meeting on a specific, hotbutton issue, where residents can give their opinions and newspaper staff members serve as moderators.

EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • For newsrooms that select town hall meetings, one meeting must be held each quarter. • A link to a story from the event should be submitted as part of the Inner Circle form.

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Town hall meeting HOW TO HOST A TOWN HALL MEETING • Identify a topic of concern in your community • Determine when and where your meeting will be held • Promote the meeting through news stories, social media and even house ads • At the meeting, ask all participants to sign in with an address and email. Take photos and thoroughly document the event. COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Reader engagement

LOCAL PANEL

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

OPTION THREE OF THREE, LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

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5-8

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9-13

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14-18

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19-29

1

30-49

1

50+

1

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Community panel COMMUNITY PANEL – Newspaper recruits local officials (department heads, city elected representatives) and serves as moderator, allowing residents to ask questions on variety of issues

EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • For newsrooms that select community panels, one meeting must be held each quarter. • A link to the story from the event should be submitted as part of the Inner Circle form.

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Community panel HOW TO HOST A COMMUNITY PANEL • Organize a good representation of local officials and/ or experts to attend • Promote the upcoming panel meeting in print, online and on social media • Gather questions in advance through email and social media • At the meeting, ask all participants to sign in with an address and email. Take photos and thoroughly document the event. COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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Data journalism

DATA REPORTING

QUARTERLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIREMENT FOR LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

-

14-18

-

19-29

1

30-49

1

50+

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Data journalism

DATA REPORTING

MONTHLY EXPECTATIONS

REQUIREMENT FOR LARGE NEWSROOMS

STAFF SIZE

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0-2

-

3-4

-

5-8

-

9-13

-

14-18

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19-29

1

30-49

1

50+

1

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Data journalism WHY DATA JOURNALISM? Data journalism should play a larger role in the efforts of newsrooms looking to remain their community’s primary watchdog. While data journalism is not a replacement for traditional source mining, it often provides a way to give a story context, demonstrate trends or provide hard answers surrounding local issues. As part of our efforts to grow audience and page views, GateHouse Media is expanding our relationship with Caspio database tools.

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Data journalism EVALUATOR’S CHECKLIST • Submission of a link to, or a PDF of, a story or series based off data will be required for certification. • Story or series needs to clearly state that facts presented were gathered through the use of data mining.

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Data journalism DATABASE IDEAS • Salary databases • First responder call times • Poverty rates by county, neighborhood • Crimes by metro area, city • Number of students on assisted lunch plans by school • Nonprofit executive compensation • State and local layoff statistics COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED

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THANKS FOR LISTENING HAVE A NICE DAY EVERYONE! GATEHOUSE MEDIA

COPYRIGHT 2016 GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC. SOME RIGHTS RESERVED