Welcome to the Local Fix. Each week we look at key debates in journalism sustainability and community engagement through the lens of local news.  But first, we always begin with one good idea…

One Good Idea: Get Some Revenue Inspiration

If you need some inspiration for experimenting with revenue, this presentation from the Local Media Association’s Jed Williams has several examples and case studies of different models from local news organizations — including The Seattle Times, WRAL, BillyPenn, and LancasterOnline. The slides have some recommendations, like recognizing “many legs to the stool” in revenue — meaning you can’t rely on just one source of dollars. If you want more ideas after clicking through the presentation, check out News Revenue Hub’s email newsletter, “The News Revenue Report,” for insights into building membership programs. 

 

Stop Talking to the Same People about the Future of Local News

We (and many others) see a common trend in pieces, events, and conversations about the future of local news — the same voices and examples are turned to again and again. More often than not, those voices are white men from large organizations based in cities and on the coasts. The same problems that plague journalism’s coverage of communitiesare found in the ways we cover our own industry. If we don’t listen to other voices, pay attention to new ideas, and redefine who we call an “expert,” then we’re in danger of trying the same things over and over — and continuing to fail. We also shouldn’t only talk to reporters. We need to learn from entrepreneurs, business executives, marketers, engagement leaders, collaboration managers, and more. Apparently, a lot of people on Twitter agreed this week: they shared over 200 names of people that should be sources on the future of local news. The list is below, along with related resources from CJR, Poynter, and others. Who else would you add? Tweet @thelocalnewslab or hit reply to share your thoughts.

• A Crowdsourced List of Sources to Talk Local News – @gteresa
• You’re probably not quoting enough women. Let us help you. – Columbia Journalism Review 
• More than two dozen resources journalists can use for mentoring, sourcing, invoicing and more – The Cohort/Poynter 

Guides for Convening People

Have you ever been part of a working group, at a conference, or at a meeting and left feeling that it went well? (Or the opposite?) We guarantee that was not on accident. Convening people takes care, expertise, and a lot of preparation. The Membership Puzzle Project shared lessons they learned running a community of practice of journalists, and they have a lot of commonalities with other guides from Free Press, OpenNews, World Cafe Community Foundation, and other experts on bringing people together for a larger purpose. Here are some of the main points: people matter most, there must be a clear value and impact for participants, don’t spend your time presenting at people, set clear expectations, and clear communication is key. So next time you think about gathering people, in the community or even for a meeting, take some of these tips with you.

• Our cheatsheet for hosting communities of practice (& why there is no cutting corners when convening people) – Membership Puzzle Project 
• NewsVoices Guide: Build deep relationships to enhance community trust in newsrooms – Free Press NewsVoices
• A Quick Reference Guide for Hosting World Café Conversations – World Cafe Community Foundation 
• SRCCON Participation Guide – OpenNews

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

In honor of our opening for a fall intern, we’re highlighting a few open jobs and fellowships that people have sent our way recently. We like to do this from time to time, but there are several folks that have listings every week, so don’t miss their newsletters and Twitter feeds (some linked to in this past Local Fix). And if you want to come write for the Local Fix, learn about philanthropy, and eat a lot of snacks, apply for the Democracy Fund Public Square internship by August 1.
 

• Democracy Fund Public Square Fall Internship 
• City Bureau’s many open positions (including donor community manager, documenters field coordinator, and civic reporting fellowships and residency)
• WAMU: Data Journalist, Guns and America
• Hack Reactor Coding Scholarship
• Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting Investigative Reporter
• Cascade Public Media Race and Immigration Producer
• WESA Government Digital Producer
• PhillyCam Community Engagement Director

Have a good weekend,
Josh, Teresa and Rachel
@jcstearns, @gteresa, @rachelannwegner

The Local Fix is a project of the Democracy Fund’s Public Square Program, which invests in innovations and institutions that are reinventing local media and expanding the public square. Disclosure: Some projects mentioned in this newsletter may be funded by Democracy Fund, you can find a full list of the organizations we support on our website.