Poynter. » Entrepreneurial Journalism

How startup sites can take advantage of emerging revenue streams

Jeremy Caplan — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:30:13 +0000

As journalism entities move beyond ads in pursuit of new revenue streams, events have proven a popular target. People who won’t pay $15 for a digital subscription, the theory goes, may pay $20 instead for wine, cheese and a panel… Read more

3 ways entrepreneurial journalists can successfully pitch their projects

Jeremy Caplan — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:31:59 +0000

Ever tried telling your life’s story in a minute? Melting years down into seconds is tough. Summing up a long-simmering passion project can be equally hard.

Whether you’re pitching a new journalism project to a friend or to a financier,… Read more

Tips for journalists preparing to launch a startup site

Jeremy Caplan — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:30:55 +0000

When you’re getting a journalism startup off the ground, you face a number of decision points. Who do you partner with? How do you bring in revenue? How do you get the word out about your project? We’ll discuss

Practical tips, resources for entrepreneurial journalists with legal questions

Jeremy Caplan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:27:36 +0000

Entrepreneurs leading new journalism ventures confront numerous legal questions. How and when should I determine the appropriate legal structure for my business? What contracts should I use with partners, employees and investors? What legal issues should I be prepared for… Read more

Cheap & useful tools that can help entrepreneurial journalists be more efficient

Jeremy Caplan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:54:56 +0000

When it comes to tools, entrepreneurial journalists have the advantage of being free. Free of the obligation to use a news organization’s clunky software packages. Free from layers of tech bureaucracy. And free from having to get approval to try… Read more

4 ways to start researching the market for your new journalism venture

Jeremy Caplan — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:13:29 +0000

Journalists love to dive in. Once we’ve got a topic in mind, we rush off to report, write/record, edit and publish. When launching a new venture, though, whether a local or niche site, an app, a network or something else… Read more

4 lessons for hyperlocal media from inaugural Street Fight Summit

Jeremy Caplan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:48:01 +0000

Deals don’t mean dollars. That was a point of consensus at the inaugural Street Fight Summit in New York City Oct. 25 and 26. Over two days, the summit’s 60 presenters and panelists analyzed their adventures in the… Read more

What’s working at news startups, from Seattle to Vermont

Mark Briggs — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:50:50 +0000

The best sign that entrepreneurial journalism endeavors are moving in the right direction is that so many of them are heading in different directions. That was obvious Thursday during a pre-conference workshop hosted by J-Lab and executive director Jan Schaffer,… Read more

How to get to $200K: Lessons in building a profitable niche news site

Jeremy Caplan — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:01:29 +0000

For every splashy new online news venture with a big name backer, from New York’s DNAInfo to Hawaii’s Civil Beat, there are a dozen smaller startups inching their way toward profitability. One such tiny new news venture, operated… Read more

3 key lessons for entrepreneurial journalists trying to get projects off the ground

Mark Briggs — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:25:27 +0000

It’s all about money. And people. And your ability to adapt quickly and smartly.

A small group of entrepreneurial journalists has found that money and people can make or break your business, especially in the early days when you’re just… Read more