Any evaluation of e-news capability must be considered in term of competitive achievement. Columnists claiming expertise in e-news matters emphasize the urgency of delivering high-value information unavailable elsewhere. Clearly this is a tall order. In many competitive match-ups, it becomes apparent that exclusivity is in short supply. Instead, competitive sites post coverage of identical developments…
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When e-news sites are scored during Editorial Solutions, Inc. consulting assignments, allowances might be made for heavy workloads due to daily frequency or lack of adequate staff support. But if it comes to evaluating basics, there are no excuses for earning minimum scores on factors such as Fog Index, at least one solid long-form article…
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Recent e-news studies conducted by Editorial Solutions, Inc. cite a shortfall of articles containing direct quotes. Especially lacking: quotes from end-user sources. When quotes are used, usually they are not based on contact between editor and source. Instead, information posted clearly is word-for-word rewrite of PR announcements. Result: information often is hard to read —…
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When you sponsor a launch, your goal is to demonstrate total editorial capability/resources. Obviously you want to impress readers with authoritative content produced by an industry-wise staff. Doing it right scares the dickens out of any existing competitors that have been getting by with a minimum- value editorial package. On the other hand, second-string execution…
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No competitive analysis discussion is complete without special attention to expectations for an editor- in-chief’s personal column. In fact, each column should reflect”insider status” as opposed to “observer” status. There is a difference. Specifically, the insider attempts to propose solutions to an industry problem his/her column reviews. The best an observer can do is describe…
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Recently I learned of a fracas occurring when the editor of a consumer magazine took a stand contrary to widely-held views of the audience. Readers were outraged and some corporate execs were incensed enough to cancel their advertising schedules. Ultimately, probably when backed into a corner, publishing top management dismissed the offender. The situation reminded…
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For those of you striving to keep your e-news content in fighting shape, here are some tips you may wish to incorporate into your next e-newsletter. E-newsletter lead article must reflect evidence of enterprise. Focus on a hot issue and gather high-value direct quotes from at least five sources. Characterize your e-newsletter package. One site…
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When typical magazine competitive analysis strategy is mapped out, usual emphasis is on what the words say rather than evidence of graphics expertise. Thus editors may be asked to track number of pages devoted to specific product categories. Or attention might be paid to “first and only” achievements by opposing parties. Such approaches, of course,…
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Recently I repeated my ongoing role of judging Best Headline entries in the annual AZBEE competition sponsored by the American Society of Business Publication Editors. As in the past, the usual snafus were present here and there. So it appears that there’s still a need to provide my annual refresher. This installment covers nine ways…
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You might think that providing clear objectives to writers would be a no-brainer for most assigning editors. But in today’s environment of work overload, nothing can be assumed. During a recent project focusing on e-news improvement, I found evidence that assignments were being made in haste. Adequate direction on story angles and contacts were lacking.…
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