Grassroots Journalism
Watching the Watchers
Here's a cool story for you. The local newspaper was ordered by a local judge recently to give up the name of one of their anonymous posters or at least the name of the company the plaintiff needs to go after for the information. The forums for the CNHI run newspaper are handled by a third party - Groupee's HeyMartha forums.
Citizens Breaking News in Elwood, Indiana
This is a few days old. I missed it for some reason and my buddy who runs the site (Al Jordan - the Computer Dude) didn't mention it. It's big news in my eyes, though. Another example of the people formerly known as the audience reporting news. Of course, a couple people said we'll have to wait on the paper to find out what happened, but still...
Ad Sales Continue... Traffic on Website Up, Despite Summer Season
Made a small breakthrough today. Someone in the car vertical jumped on board with the next print edition. It's the smallest ad (they seem to be testing waters), but the fact we got them to sign a check is good, I think. Other bigger advertisers are being courted. Again, it's going slower than I thought, but I have the fact that my product is brand new against me.
AFP Print - Volume 1 Issue 1
Ok, here you go, a PDF of the first copy of AFP Print. Selling of the second issue is going. Could be worse and could be better, but it's positive overall. Takes time to build relationships with local businesses.
Breaking News and Video Interviews
We're continuing to break news - a few fires and a robbery - beating the newspaper by a couple hours usually. And I say we because it's not me - it's people on the AFP Scanner News thread. I want to do more with the idea, but they like it just fine as it is. If it isn't broke, don't fix it, they told me. Heh.
Citizens Breaking News
It happened again. Maybe it's not a fluke? Three different posters tonight broke a robbery at a local tobacco store. About an hour and a half later the Anderson Herald Bulletin had a complete story, but it broke at AFP. Be different some of the members of the site told me last Friday when we met in person.
Of Content and the Community
I have two pieces of content from members of the AFP website (members of the AFP community...) that I'm working on adjusting for print. This process is going to need to be streamlined a lot over the next few weeks, but for now it's great working with people in the community to get information about topics they're interested in ou there.
"The free daily newspaper is the future of the industry."
Was at Mondo Times today finally getting around to getting a listing for Anderson Free Press when I noticed their most recent poll - "The free daily newspaper is the future of the industry."
Ad Sales Continue... Plus a little Circulation
I'd say another week is beginning, but the previous ones haven't ended yet. I take small breaks here and there, but there's a lot to be done. I'm going on week 3 of sales, three days with a second person. I have 3 sales so far, with a lot of interest from some interesting segments - namely real estate and autos. Ruh row.
First Print Ads Sold for AFP Print 1.2
Well, I'm nearing the end of my first week out selling the second printed issue of Anderson Free Press. To be honest, I'm kinda shocked no one has blogged or picked up on this yet. (I did hear congrats from one other grassroots journalist...) Maybe I expect too much? Like it's not a big thing?


