National Newspaper Association
Protecting, Promoting and Enhancing Community Newspapers Since 1885
Robert M. Williams, Jr.
Robert M. Williams Jr. is a longtime community newspaper publisher from Blackshear, Georgia. He was NNA president in 2013-14 and is now acting as NNA director of creative resources. He is available for consultation on how to create more revenue, help you deal with inevitable newspaper issues or be a sympathetic ear for NNA members looking for an experienced publisher to listen. Email him at robert@nna.org or call at (912) 281-5438 from 10 a.m -3 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday.
Finding a great story is an easy way to help your advertisers excel
One of newspapers’ great strengths is in (1) recognizing a good story when you see one, plus (2) tying that story-telling ability into solving an advertiser’s problem.
Old ideas can still interest our readers and please our advertisers
Missouri publisher Peggy Scott of Leader Publications says she can’t accept the credit, however, because the idea was reincarnated by the marketing team for one of her better customers.
Quality editorial content makes for great newspapers, as well as for the most interesting ad ideas
Part of what can be overlooked is how intriguing content can be enjoyable reading AND also provide the springboard for paid advertising.
Remember, YOU are the custom ad agency for the merchants in your market! Just ask Carrie Pitzer
It didn’t take me long to find Carrie because she was the one with a crowd of fellow publishers around her, hoping to learn her “secret” to producing such quality newspapers.
Turning tradition on its head
There’s much to be said for being open to new ideas, new ways to do things, being innovative — even if someone suggests something a bit zany.
Names and faces are always sure winners for just about any advertiser
It’s refreshing to be thumbing through one of my “exchange” newspapers from a small weekly only a few miles south of my hometown, deep here in south Georgia, and find an exceptionally ...
Metter, Georgia, has an abundance of well-loved pets! Your town probably does, too!
“We are in the middle of something fun that has really been a win-win-win for our community.”
Kurt Johnson proves a sure-fire seller of an idea is often right there in front of you!
Aurora (Nebraska) News-Register Publisher Kurt Johnson says simplicity has long been the key to years of success for one of his community’s favorite ad ideas ...
Jody Hanson has struck gold for both her advertisers and her readers!
Among the latest great advertising ideas Forum Communications Director of Revenue Growth Jody Hanson has come up with are niche publications to accompany numerous newspapers in their group that draw ...
A really good ad can keep doing its job over and over
Over the years, I’ve encountered numerous advertisers who, mysteriously, somehow once they’ve published a great ad idea in your newspaper, think the ad is somehow “used up” after ...
Where are they now? Is your newspaper making money by finding and telling their stories?
The Forest-Blade of Swainsboro, Georgia, has long been a quality community newspaper, consistently fulfilling its role as a vital link offering the names, faces and information that bind the Emmanuel County, ...
Zoe Cooper offers a great ‘deal’ for advertisers in Arizona
Meet Zoe Cooper. She’s a great newspaper “utility player” and also creative advertising manager for the Casa Grande (Arizona) Dispatch, a three–day–a–week newspaper. ...
Minnesota publisher builds partnership offering digital TV billboard advertising
Recent years have seen a rise in the number of newspapers offering their merchants more variety in how and where they can place their ad dollars while staying with their well-known, long-trusted and reliable ...
Even an old idea can create new, fresh sales for your customer
An email from a newspaper publisher in the Midwest got me to thinking the other day. “What do you think is the very best ad idea you’ve ever had of your own?” asked this publisher.
Southport’s (NC) Pilot hits a ‘home run’ with expert political ad idea using sticky notes
Carol, a 13-year veteran in the business, hit the proverbial “home run” when she came up with an ingenious thought that started with utilizing ...
A few ideas to ‘freshen up’ your annual holiday advertising
Several of our NNA members have responded to the challenge of helping others out with some great ideas that aren’t all that common, but will certainly draw attention and sell!
What have you done lately to make sure your ads are 'disruptive?'
I think you can also call them innovative and creative and I don’t believe we see nearly enough such ads in our weekly or daily newspapers on a regular basis. Christina Cosner, whose paper is a ...
Who better than the newspaper to salute women and traditions — even those that are new?
This paper took the nationwide problem of businesses looking for employees to fill their jobs and turned it into a strong special section featuring 100% advertising, nearly all quarters and half pages. ...
Some ideas may be old, but they can still bring in considerable new revenue
Paul Erdelt, editor and publisher of The Steele Ozone and the Kidder County Press in Steele, North Dakota, is proof an old idea can still bring in new revenue — even though the origins of ...
Be sure your paper provides several products for customers to buy; don’t leave ad revenue for others to gain!
Following the downturn of pandemic times, Jessica finds ways to generate more revenue are ...
