Most publications are behind paywalls. Some give more free articles than others . The trend will be more things behind paywalls with all media companies, not less.
See earlier answer.
Not sticking it to anyone. Company skating to where the puck is. That puck can be Charlotte.
Ouch…
You can’t cut and paste another newspaper’s content.
No idea the analytics in NLA
For years, we had a full time beat reporter on the Niners. For years, at least where I sat, the coverage was good. The complaints used to be about where the coverage was: inside the paper or not “played as well as ACC.” As things went digital and analytics became really good, we could see what people read. Charlotte stories just didn’t perform. the coverage gradually pulled back.
I believe there’s audience here. Just need you guys to engage when we have content now so there can be more in the future.
Most papers will give you a free view or 3
Not sure what to say
Am I correct that even behind a paywall if one clicks on the article you can tell they attempted to read? Any thought ever been given about tapping into the school paper for some co-op coverage? Not sure if that is even feasible, but just a thought.
Thanks again Langston for making an attempt, always enjoyed your coverage of local high school sports. I was spoiled with the Salisbury Post coverage but was always exciting to see a write up of West Rowan in the Observer.
Yes even a click in front of the wall counts. On the school paper, it’s not so much a manpower issue as an interest issue.
I hear you on West Rowan.Rowan articles never really did well for us so we weren’t going to often but I followed the KP Parks football teams and Donte Minter hoops squads to state championships. Fun times
I still don’t think you get it.
The analytics were bad because you chased us all away.
Just because you put up more articles you are not gonna get clicks from the people you alienated for 20 years. You can’t tell us to make the analytics work when you’ve beaten us down for 2 decades. We’re not coming back overnight if ever.
There is a HUGE benefit to both parties here…but all of the effort needs to come from one side to win back the other.
If that’s not the mindset or intent…a few more articles over a few months to judge analytics ain’t gonna do it.
I’m saying back when we were covering you all with a full time writer, analytics werent’ there. they got worse and the pull back came. I agree with you we can’t expect to drop two stories a season and get audience when audience isn’t expecting (or maybe not all wanting it). We have some content coming and if we can see an uptick, there is a window for more.
All I’m saying. I completely get where you guys are coming from. I’m just trying to make a change.
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(No comments at all to my other suggestions - you seem to just rather defend and deflect than actually have a conversation about ideas… but I will try with another one) ((( Again I am a PAID subscriber)))
Why not partner with Charlotte / Niner Times and provide a 10 month internship to be the Charlotte sports writer every season. Give students free digital subscriptions.
This is a win / win / win
- Gives journalism major great experience
- Opens up your product to 30k new potential paying customers later down the road
- Provides the content that we are looking for at a reduced cost / risk
If the trial shows great promise - hire one of these interns on full time when they graduate.
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Interesting idea. I said before it’s not so much a manpower issue but that’s an interesting thought, again, provided we could find someone or someone’s who could do what need in the formats and time windows we need it.
Eh, I’m old and cynical. I’ll admit it. But when a chick ignores you for years, puts on 20 lbs and then wants your attention I’m hesitant to give it.
clt says it all depends on where the 20lbs ended up
IF Clicks are what they want and need, lets test the theory-
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article284516850.html
Click the eff out of this thing…
Serious kudos for coming on here, that’s awesome. I don’t live in Charlotte so the only reason I am going to go to the Observer frankly is for coverage about the Niners (and Panthers).
The issue for me is I felt the coverage wasn’t very good when we were winning consistently (which sadly it’s been a while) so I have been unwilling to give the Observer another chance.
With that said, I have appreciated guys like Scott Fowler and Tom Sorenson asking tough questions about the fall off in basketball and questioning Judy Rose’s leadership. I think the football coverage this year (when I looked at it) was better then it’s in been in the past. I would like to see more consistency I guess, both when things are going well and when they aren’t. I realize that’s kind of a broad answer. There’s a lot of other good ideas in this thread though that aren’t so broad 
Thank you for what you’re trying to do!