Attracting and keeping users needs consideration. Here are some ways.
USER REGISTRATION
Perhaps all Introduction to Mass Communications students can be "urged" to register. Let the classes provide feedback from time to time. Encourage comments and voting in polls. Registrants receive the weekly email.
Provide daily tweets about upcoming stories or events to be covered. The News Editor could be responsible for keeping track of stories in progress. For example, the board meets on Tuesday night so a tweet goes out right away that the board story is coming — soon.
INTERACTION
What about accepting photos from users at certain times during the year: Halloween, Christmas, etc. Run with one or two a week. Conduct polls on pertinent topics of interest in the Alamo Colleges. Citizen coverage is big on television with I-phone submissions.
OUTREACH
High school students — especially in the SAISD — should be targeted. Tell high school counselors about the Service Features offered in the publication. (See this above in NEWS.)
ALUMNI
Encourage the Alumni Association to tout registration to its members.
GENERAL PUBLIC
Pitch a story to local media about The Ranger Online's recent awards. Maybe taxpayers would log on and register to keep track of what's going on in the district.
TRANSFER INSTITUTIONS
Recruiters at colleges and universities could be encouraged to log on and register for the office or individual personnel. A good way to know what's going on before their visits. Check with the Transfer Center to get contact information.
NEWS TIPS
Currently, we have a way to send news tips in, but it is just a link. Contact clubs and organizations about doing it. Cut out the "two weeks in advance" wording in the print version. Accept what they offer. It might be good to let them know if it will be covered. Submitting story ideas that never see the light of day discourages them. Be honest and upfront that a small staff may not be able to cover every activity. Ask them to PRIORITIZE what they believe should be covered. Special speakers, field trips, parties, etc., are possible tip ideas. If they are planning a money-making event, have them get the information in for a possible banner ad to go under the Calendar for the week of the event. Reporters should encourage these things to their beat sources.KSYM
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ANY OTHERS?
Here's a promo for "Soul of Athens" at Ohio University. as a front page promo for coming attractions. It doesn't have to be this long. It could be a "doughnut," which has a permanent beginning and end with new information inserted in the middle (or "hole").