GateHouse Media move could have huge impact on Stark, Tuscarawas county readers

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated with impact on local newspapers).

In a move that could have a major impact on employment for various newspaper employees across the country and for local readers in Stark and Tuscarawas counties in Ohio, GateHouse Media, the owners of The (Canton) Repository, The (Massillon)Independent and (Dover-New Philadelphia) Times-Reporter announced this week that they will lay out all newspapers it owns across the country from copy desks in Chicago and New England.

The memo, leaked to a national newspaper blogger, doesn’t specifically indicate if the changes include GateHouse Ohio’s local media cluster of The Repository, Times-Reporter and The Independent, but sources indicate that it would impact various employees at those newspapers.

Throughout the country, copy desks need to have local editors. I’ve worked at copy desks where having a working knowledge of the local community helps catch errors in stories, errors that news editors haven’t caught.

Second, recent downsizing at newspapers leave readers with gaping holes in news coverage. Can newspapers today cover all towns and cities in its coverage area? I know it’s an issue in Stark County.

Instead of downsizing, I propose newspapers restructure staffs to include “backpack journalists.” These can provide updates throughout the day which can be posted online. The additional content from all areas can add a compelling argument for businesses to buy ads and for readers to pay more for extra content.

What do you think, would you pay more for content as a reader and would you be more likely to buy ads if additional hometown news content was available online?

THOUGHTS ON SPONSORED CONTENT – Mack Collier had a great post on how brands are waking up to the power of sponsored content. It’s welll worth the read. Check it out here

LOOKING FOR A JOB – All Facebook had a tip of an interesting way to apply for a job at Facebook.

ATHLETES TO WATCH – Communications Pro had an interesting story about their picks for the ten most engaged athletes on Twitter. Here is their list.

WAKE UP CALL – Peter Shankman had an inspiring post on why it pays off to get up earlier every day. You can read it here.

Communications notes: New Facebook timeline is a great feature

Complaining about Facebook changes is a new national pastime.

This week, Facebook has finally launched its Timeline service.

Users have seven days to adopt changes before the feature becomes alive for everyone.

You may not like all of Facebook’s changes, but this one is amazing.

The service tracks all of your posts, adds notes on when you joined Facebook and most importantly allows you to document and share pictures and big events throughout your life.

You can sign up for the service here.

For more information about Facebook Timeline, Mashable has a fascinating Facebook Timeline guide.

– Speaking of Facebook, are you getting all of your e-mails through the service? Peter Shankman has a great blog post about this.

– Want to hear a great podcast? My two picks for most-listen tech podcasts are Digital 411 by Erika Pryor and Tech 411 by Oscar Santana and Todd Moore.

Great advice on when to use pictures in social media

A picture tells a thousand words.

One of my goals in my personal and business use of social media is to post more pictures online.

But how do you determine the best use of pictures without spammimg your followers?

Peter Shankman has a great post on the Nine Best Practices for Linking Photos to Twitter.

What do you think about his tips?

Do you have any to add?

Follow @chrispugh3

How to make social media work for businesses

Peter Shankman has an inspiring blog about how small businesses can make social media work for them by referring new clients to their businesses through success stories and demonstrating knowledge of a subject.

He gives some great easy-to-use tips.

What advice are you trying for your businesses or clients?