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.
Georgia paper scores a rarity with $100k+ ad buy
Davis’ paper is the Monroe County Reporter, a 5,000 circulation weekly in Forsyth, Georgia, a county of roughly 30,000 where Donald Trump has won big in the past and is expected to again.
The best ad ideas are the simplest
I can see a continuing ad series springing off from this special section to satisfy the desire of the community to know more and read more!
It’s our job to remind communities of the gratitude we owe
An old friend in central Kentucky called [recently] to ask for a copy of a special section we published to salute our community’s first responders.
Cute, adorable faces are an easy sell in most communities
"At The Walton Tribune (in Monroe, Georgia), we have been producing "The Cutest Calendar Ever!" since December of 2019, and the average this product does is around $3,000-$4,000 in advertising revenue ...
Sig Pages and Special Sections are a sure-fire way to boost local revenue
“Asking our small businesses to pay what we charge for a full–page color ad is a waste of time. While they may not spend the large figure for a full page, they will gladly spend a smaller amount ...
Learn as much as you can to better help your customer sell their products
Jeff Cott has a simple philosophy for success in ad sales and that involves careful study of your customers so your knowledge of them, their personality and their business is thorough and complete.
Why not help your press association share great ad ideas?
Carrie says the contest is a popular item her newspapers have been running for four years, and her community “loves it.”
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 ...
