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This weblog was developed and is supported by the Bernard L. Schwartz Communication Institute, Baruch College, CUNY
Jan
28
Finding a niche
Posted by Vera Haller on Jan 28, 2008 under: community journalism, newspapers, online news
Thewashingtonpost.com today launched new Web site, TheRoot.com, which its editor-in-chief, Henry Louis Gates Jr., said would “explore the richness of the black experience.” This is not the first time the newspaper has entered into the area of niche Web sites.Just last July, the Post launched loudonextra.com, an experiment in hyper-local journalism. When I say hyper-local, I mean the content would only interest residents of Loudon County in suburban D.C. You’ll find stories about high school sports teams, local government and lifestyle unique to the area. With TheRoot.com, I assume the Post is expanding this experiment by seeking to establish a niche audience along demographic lines, rather than geographic lines. I think the editors realize that they have to create unique online experiences in order to hold on to readers — and perhaps more importantly — create more places to sell advertising.
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4 Responses to “Finding a niche”
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In today’s society, technological advaces have allowed writers to communicate with vast audiences. Through the internet writers are able to reach readers of differet interest. The Washington Post is keeping up with trends by establishing different experiences inorder to satisfy the needs of readers.
I think sites like this are absolutely necessary. It is unrealistic to cover every news story or every area of interest on a news show or site, so those with particular interests should create forums for others who share that interest to get info and updates on specific topics of importance to them.
That’s a pretty clever strategy–tailoring the news to fit the interests of the audience you want to reach. I’m sure the Post is not the first to launch these niche sites, although it may be among American news giants. My mom reads a Chinese newspaper called the World Journal, and it reports a lot of local news on the Chinese community. I’m sure there are others as well.
These niche websites are a great way for publications to reach out to particular crowds. I think if you grab a particular demographics interest inline, you may have a chance to grab them as a reader of your print publication.