Re: links from copyright articles

**J* B* <j*@usol.com>**

I think there is a bigger issue here.  Nancy and I each write a  
weekly column, work for hire, in the Detroit News.  For years it was  
900 words.  About six months ago or so they decided to give us a  
raise, cut our columns to 500 words and add graphics that they  
produce to illustrate our very short columns.  This was all part of  
their trying to address their advertising crisis and disappearing  
reader crisis.  Every newspaper in the country knows that in ten  
years newspapers ain't going to be like now.  In their excitement  
about the wonderfulness of their new format, the folks at the Detroit  
News  told us they were trying to find ways to strengthen their web  
site.  They brought up the possiblity of Nancy and I producing some  
audio clilps (small podcasts) and some video clips to accompany our  
columns on the web site.  The idea never progressed from that initial  
brainstorm, but I think something like that is going to happen.  .

That does not mean they won't be back.  The question of course is  
whether they intend to pay us for these audio and video clips or  
consider it a part of the new format since we did get a $50 raise.   
We don't know the answer to that question and we don't know what we  
would do if they said no audio or video clilps - no column.  I don't  
think there is any question that the newspapers will try to find new  
ways to monetize our columns without our getting any share.  I think  
they are desperate.  They know they are dying but have no clue how to  
make real money via the web site.  Several newspapers now have their  
garden writers doing a gardening blog, and I think in both cases I  
know about, they don't get any extra money; they are on salary.  I  
found a paper a few weeks ago, that I can't remember a title, that  
had five garden related blogs on their web site; I suspect all free  
to them.  What about having the column move towards opinion and  
controversy with the backup blog allowing for reader followup and the  
generation of a discussion on the issue.  The blog and the comments  
page can have advertising just like Garden Rant has now.

I suspect that in a few years, when we write a column about roses,  
all the garden centers in the area will be able to set up links to  
the column advertising their roses.  You put in your zip code and get  
the three closest garden centers to you.  for that the garden centers  
pay a fee to the newspaper.

I think the yard and garden manufacturers are going to looking for  
ways to make one on one contact with readers of a newspaper column.   
Maybe, if they know I am writing this week about lawn mowers, the  
lawn mower companies can offer rebates just in the city where the  
newspaper is published.

My point, if there is any, is we should assume that just about  
everything we garden writers do now to make a full or part-time  
living is going to be different within the next five years because of  
new developments on the Internet.  I think we have to take a  
proactive approach to that change.  If we get defensive every time  
another change appears, we might lose out in the long run being able  
to take advantage of the new technology.  Sort of like the photogs  
still using 35 mm film.  It can't last forever.

Jeff Ball
jeffball@usol.com
810-724-8581
Check out my daily blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com
Check out my extensive web site at www.yardener.com

On Aug 13, 2007, at 6:27 PM, Christopher P. Lindsey wrote:

> I think it's time to start writing about hemorrhoids and/or their
> competitors.

Boy, I just read that and wondered who would want to compete against
hemorrhoids.  And if you did, would you want to win?

Sorry about the poor sentence structure.

Chris

http://www.hort.net/gallery/      4135 online plant photos and growing!
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