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.
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 ...
Think hard and get creative to find a variety of uses for great ads
Where does a great advertising idea come from? The inspiration for an innovative idea can come from anywhere, of course, but sometimes we must look at another great idea and think of a different way it ...
Are we going ‘above and beyond’ to in serve our advertisers with unique, innovative ideas readers will appreciate?
Sean Dunlap’s success in a tiny market like Franklin County, Mississippi, should show us all that creativity and innovation is always appreciated and will sell in any market.
You still can’t beat names and faces if you’re looking to attract readers
Keith Barlow, publisher of The Milledgeville (GA) Union-Recorder, shares his Faces and Places contest.
Local advertisers can seldom resist a promotion featuring local youngsters!
Even the most penny-pinching of business owners can seldom say “no thanks” to a promotion that involves boosting a community’s youngsters. Watch a recording of this webinar here.
Looking for an ad idea? Check around your office, and $$$ are hiding right in plain sight!
All of us are looking for ways to increase our revenue. Many of us, though, sometimes need a gentle reminder of opportunities that have always been right there in front of us.
Got a health-conscious market? Help your readers show how they keep themselves that way!
Few phrases like this one can make a busy merchant perk up and pay attention to what you’re telling them. Most important, they can then give you a quick “yes” so you can proceed to exposing ...
Good times or bad times, great ideas always sell
Here are the testimonies of several community newspaper publishers from around the country. Yes, there’s some doom and gloom here, but I also see optimism that sales upturns are still out there to ...
Innovative, creative content is every newspaper’s real stock in trade
The Strickers believe their effort for feature stories is worth it. While the newspaper industry in general has struggled with declining circulation, the Okawville Times has had an increase in circulation, ...
Print is king at Leader Publications in Missouri, but digital is definitely an enhancement
“Everything we do on each social media is designed to drive traffic to our website,” explains Peggy. “And our website is designed to showcase the broad depth of the coverage offered ...
