How to survive_the_first_year_online

How to survive the first year

onlineEvelyn Lauer

Niles West H.S., Skokie, ILNiles West News

[email protected]

www.nileswestnews.org

About the NWN

• Online-only• School size: more than 2,500 students• Debut Date: Sept. 20, 2010• Staff Size: 5 to 10 to 30 (plus broadcasting

classes)• CMS: WordPress (Premium Theme)• Average Pageviews: 29,000/month• Total Pageviews: 280,000 (as of 11/10/11)• Total Comments: 1,000• Online Pacemaker winner April 2010.

5 Steps to Success

1.Immediate Content/Breaking News2.Comments3.Social Media4.Multimedia5.Collaboration

Immediate Content"The site is updated regularly, daily if possible." --NSPA guidelines

You CAN be immediate, you'll WANT to be immediate, you WILL BE immediate--and,

eventually, your readers WILL EXPECT you to be immediate.

What does DAILY mean?

• 3-5 stories per day (at least 10 a week)• photo galleries (homepage updated weekly)• photo of the day (daily)• homepage poll (weekly)• ticker information (daily)• scoreboard (daily)• videos (2-3 times a week)• social media (daily)

www.nileswestnews.org

Breaking News"Important news events are reported in a timely way."

BREAKING=within 12 hours of an event (leeway on this)

Comments"Readers are able to interact with the publication in numerous ways."

http://nileswestnews.org/comment-policies/

Comments: Questions to consider

• Who will have the rights to approve comments?

• Who will monitor the comments?• How will you deal with inappropriate,

offensive, or spam comments?• Will students have to register to comment?• Will you publish anonymous comments?• BE CAREFUL OF: Impersonation

Comments: How to garner more

• Comment contests• Comment days in the cafeteria • Restaurant Reviews + Gift Cards= Lots of Comme

nts• Controversy• Opinion pieces that matter

Social Media"Social networking & community tools...are used to empower the

reader.." 

Facebook is King

About 15% of NWN's pageviewsLinks to contentStarting conversationsStory ideasReader contentMarketingContests

http://nileswestnews.tumblr.com/

Multimedia"The site maximizes the capabilities of the Web, making use of multiple

media and interactivity" 

1. PACKAGES (text, photos, video, etc.)

2. Interactive Graphics  (TONS of great ideas at http://www.jeadigitalmedia.org/2011/04/20/lots-of-embeddable-tools-most-free/)

http://wordpress.niles-hs.k12.il.us/10th-period/inside-look-at-niles-west-theatres-xanadu/

http://wordpress.niles-hs.k12.il.us/homepage/homecoming-2011-a-week-in-review/

Collaboration with other departments"The site uses a variety of media..." 

• Art (graphics, editorial cartoons)• Photo (digital photography)• Broadcasting (morning announcements, video

packages)• Yearbook (photos, news space)• Literary Magazine (online, link)• English classes (read and comment)• RECRUITMENT

http://wordpress.niles-hs.k12.il.us/videos/?media_id=130