content initiatives

INNER CIRCLE 2015IN-DEPTH NEWS & LISTS

ENTERPRISING | ENGAGING | ENTERTAINING | ENLIGHTENING

CONTENT INITIATIVES


The Inner Circle’s Content Initiatives category includes:

• In-depth news

• Lists

• Seen-on-Scene galleries

• Regional projects

• FOIA projects

All newsrooms are required to produce in-depth news, Seen-on-Scene photo galleries and lists; newsrooms of 25+ staff are also required to produce regional projects and FOIA projects.

IN-DEPTH NEWS


Requirements for all newsrooms for in-depth stories are:

• Stories must have at least two sources — preferably more than three

• 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

GOAL: Cover topics that resonate with readers, tell the stories no one else is telling, answer reader questions and look forward to what’s next and how the stories affect readers.

INNER CIRCLE EXPECTATIONS


Requirements for newsroom by size:

1-8 staffOne in-depth story per week

9-18 staffTwo per week

19-24 staffThree per week

25+ staffFive per week

WHAT IS IN-DEPTH?


Goes beyond just the facts• Focuses on the “why” and “how”• Describes the impact of the news on readers• Gives background and context• Compares to other towns, state, nation

Proactive• Answers questions• Breaks new ground• Looks for solutions

Multiple sources• Quotes and views from all sides of an issue• Voices from regular people, not just officials

Why is it important?


• More engaging

• Gives added value

• Essential for today’s readers

Bottom line: We can’t continue to report as if the Internet and social media doesn’t exist

Planning in-depth stories


Resist regurgitation

• Focus on the significant and timely

• Don’t just recast a press release

• Find a real person, tell his or her story

• Provide succinct perspective, background

• Take a forward-looking approach



Focus on people affected

• How have they been impacted? What comes next?

• Seek anecdotes that tell the story

• Ask people their thoughts, opinions



Follow up with short ASFs and briefs

• Don’t write extensive stories for every update

• Condense background wherever possible

• Reserve lengthy pieces for major developments

Focus on the lede


Never lede with “discussed” or “talked about”

• Focus on the action

If it’s boring to you, don’t write a book• Condense need-to-know information into an ASF or briefs.

Don’t dwell on background• Pull background into a “Last we knew” breakout

Focus on the lede


Avoid overusing straight news ledes• Use a second-day lede whenever possible

Don’t deliver a line-by-line account• Extract the most significant or controversial points

Minimize use of “official comments”• Prioritize quotes from “real people”

Breakouts


Guide readers through the story• 5 Things to Know• Pros/Cons• Tips

Limit the number of numbers• Rely on “By the numbers” breakouts, charts, etc.

Don’t use words when visuals are betterGoogle map? Photos? Video?

Go behind the scenes• How We Did It• Sidebars and Q&As

Promotion


Get the word out ahead of time• Promote content via teasers in the paper and on social media

Use “brag boxes”• Explain how you approached the big story

Summarize long series• Explain the whole package• Be consistent with labeling

MORE RESOURCES


The 2015 Inner Circle handbook has multiple links to great examples of in-depth news, for large papers, small dailies and weeklies.


• Stories must have at least two sources — preferably more than three

• 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

EXPECTATIONS RECAP

LOCAL LISTS


All newsrooms are required to produce lists as part of the Content Initiatives category:

• 1-18 staff: 4 per quarter

• 19+ staff: 8 per quarter

GOAL: Reach into community interests by focusing on time- and location-specific information that readers love.

INNER CIRCLE EXPECTATIONS


Requirements for lists

• Lists should have at least three items, with related photos

• Each item should contain a brief explainer of one to two sentences, providing details about the item or justification for its inclusion on the list

• Newsrooms should create a new staff blog called “Local lists” or something similar, to host all the items being created

WHY LISTS?


Why are they valuable?• Lists provide readers with fun or relevant information that they

can then reference to find new places to explore, experiences to pursue or resources to reach out to.

Why do readers like them?• Readers enjoy the organized, digestible information that the list

format provides.

Why do publications like them?• Lists are attractive to new audiences and can help boost page

views while presenting quality local content to readers.

WRITING THE LIST


• Restrict lists to no more than 300 words

• Include photos or videos to each item to give them visual appeal

• Stay away from prefacing your list as “The best …”

- Bad title: “13 of Middletown’s best burger joints”- Good title: “13 local burgers you need to try”

INCLUDING READERS


Use social media to issue a callout for input

INCLUDING READERS


“Did we get it right?”

Ask your readers whether they agree with your choices – and encourage them to comment with any favorite items you may have left off.

LIST EXAMPLES


Three great spots for enjoying nature

Taking a leisurely summer stroll down a tree-lined path, or cooling off in the clean, clear water of Canandaigua Lake – there are a lot of great places within a 30-minute drive of Canandaigua. Got a favorite to add? Comment on this story and tell us your top spot.

1. Kershaw Park: With lakefront walkways and a community beach, this is one of the best places to get some sun and relax – and it’s right here in town. There’s also a small craft launch and a public boat dock, if you have a seaworthy vessel and want to enjoy nature while bobbing along the shore. Location: Lakeshore Drive between Booth and Muar streets.

LIST EXAMPLES


Three great spots for enjoying nature

2. Grime’s Glen: Taking a hike through this glen will be well worth your while, for the beautiful waterfalls and scenic views. Deer will actually come up and eat out of your hands. Location: Take Route 21 through Naples, turn onto Vine Street and follow until it ends.

3. Barnes Creek Falls: This 1.2 mile hike features three gorgeous waterfalls. Some hikers recommend leaving the trail behind and actually walking up the shallow creek instead – just be careful on the slippery rocks. Location: The trail is just south of Onanda Park, off of West Lake Road.


Three idyllic wedding venues nearby

LIST EXAMPLES

A fairytale outdoor wedding under the stars, or an elegant affair set against Victorian era stairwells and tapestries – whatever your vision, the venue plays a huge role in setting the tone. Here are some beautiful venues within a 30-minute drive of Mount Shasta.

1. McCloud Bed & Breakfast: This quaint bed and breakfast is perfect for an intimate ceremony and reception, with a ceremony site in the midst of a garden and reception sites available both indoors and outdoors. Out of town guests won’t have to travel far – accommodations are available on-site.


Three idyllic wedding venues nearby

LIST EXAMPLES

2. Mt. Shasta City Park: Picture your ceremony in ones of the various hideaways of Mt. Shasta City Park: in the gazebo underneath towering trees, against the backdrop of the Sacramento headwaters, or at the park’s lodge and hall. This venue is perfect for nature lovers looking for a location that can fit a party as small or large as they please.

3. Mt. Shasta Ski Park: What better place for a ski bum bride to tie the knot than at the foot of the slope? This ski park doubles as a great wedding venue for what would surely be a fun and laid back ceremony and reception.

MORE LIST IDEAS


1. Consignment shops in your area

2. Day trip ideas

3. Where to volunteer

4. Best local athletes

5. Most popular dog names

6. Great places to work out

7. Secluded fishing spots

Visit www.ghnewsroom.com for weekly list ideas

http://www.ghnewsroom.com/

EXPECTATIONS RECAP


• At least three items, with related photos

• Each item should contain a brief explainer of one to two sentences

• Newsrooms should create a new staff blog called “Local lists”

INNER CIRCLE 2015IN-DEPTH NEWS & LISTS


content initiatives

Documents

engaging gives

indepth story

indepth news lists

extensive stories

press release stories

possible dont

briefs dont

lists newsrooms