Not long ago, I found myself on the other end of the phone being interviewed by a freelance journalist working for a national news website.
One of the questions he asked me was, “What do you see as the state of newspapers in this country today?”
I have been in the newspaper industry professionally for 12 years now and been asked that question time and time again, but now as a publisher and owner of a smalltown weekly newspaper, it hit me a little different.
Oct. 1-7 is National Newspaper Week, and though it is a time to celebrate our accomplishments and successes, it’s just as much a time to evaluate our roles and responsibilties.
When I was asked about the state of newspapers, I replied that overall, the industry is struggling. Larger metropolitan papers especially have felt the pinch in recent years. Print subscriptions are less and less desirable, as most people want to now access news from a smart device or website rather than ink on paper.
I could also write a column all its own on the merit of website paywalls and paying journalists for their work. How many people that would persuade to actually pay to read is up for debate.
The structure of news delivery has been snowballing in the last two decades. With the proliferation of smart devices and the internet, choices in news sources exploded. Just 20 years ago, if you wanted to read the Cassville Democrat, print was your only option.
Now, we circulate 1,000 print editions in central and southern Barry County, but we average nearly 15,000 users per month on our website. Half of that traffic is directly from social media — a concept in infancy two decades ago.
One of the challenges newspapers have faced in recent years is how to alter the business model to meet readers’ needs.
In 2011, I started my career under the wing of Jacob Brower in Searcy, Ark., at The Daily Citizen. He was well ahead of the curve when it came to maximizing exposure through print and digital avenues. In fact, the majority of my social media presence is still heavily influenced by his early guidance, timing posts where they are most likely to be seen and using strong imagery and teasers when the opportunities arise.
One area I have been working hard to incorporate is more video. The ability to live stream what is happening where I am to our 8,200 Facebook followers is a powerful tool only available in the last few years.
Our live stream of the community meeting put together by Donnie Stumpff in September was viewed by nearly 20,000 people; the live stream of the Hall Theatre fire last year garnered more than 21,000 views; and my wife Jordan’s video driving through Roaring River state Park on Opening Day was seen by more than 40,000 sets of eyes.
Diversifying our media offerings in this way, I believe, has been greatly successful at meeting our main goal as an organization — delivering the news to you in the most efficient and informative way possible.
The meeting coverage was a prime example. The live video allowed people to be in the moment, and the follow- up coverage in print included comments from five of the county’s elected officials who were being discussed at the meeting.
That level of reporting required my attending a meeting on 24 hours notice, walking to the courthouse Monday morning to speak to all three commissioners and working with the prosecutor and sheriff to get questions answered and comments for print.
I cannot express how proud I am of that coverage and delivering answers to questions asked at the meeting less than a week later in print.
That is the role of a newspaper, especially in a small town. We are not perfect, but I stand proudly behind our efforts and abilities.
With dedication to our readers and clear goals in mind, newspapers can thrive. We have seen that benefit through the first nine months of ownership, and we aim to continue bringing a diverse and worthy product to your mailbox, laptop or smart phone week by week.
And, in honor of National Newspaper Week, we want you to get involved! Nearly all of our content is posted to our website weekly for free, but a one-year subscription is also as affordable as they come.
This week, we’re making it even less. Call us at 417847-2610 and mention the National Newspaper Week special to get a one-year subscription for only $10.
Let us keep you informed, educated and entertained for all 52 weeks of the year!
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and became Publisher in 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE in 2022. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com.
