Ya know, I talked to someone at a local “alternative” newspaper here in Charlottesville about the possiblity of joining their team in an online marketing role, which would include social media. They’re already on Twitter (they have 449 followers - not bad), basically spouting headlines out with links to stories, and I wanted to help connect them with the local community in a more meaningful way through social media.

Needless to say, they were unconvinced. They obviously get that they need to be on Twitter (they actually have 2 accounts - one for headlines and one for the newsdesk) but they don’t know how to monetize their presence there. What’s more, they don’t seem to really get the concept of “social” media to connect with their readers - it’s just another way to broadcast headlines and push traffic to the website.

This article from Econsultancy comes at a good time. A lot of small newspapers really don’t know how to monetize Twitter and social media in general, and Ben LaMothe offers up his ideas for paid advertising. I think it’s a brave, if not controversial, concept - charging local businesses to advertise in your newspaper’s Twitter stream. But I think the key is in how the “ads” are delivered to followers (in a non-spammy way) and how the newspaper connects with its readers/followers through Twitter otherwise. Instead of just spouting off headlines and ads, why don’t you try talking to people?

I’m devising a few tips of my own for how small newspapers can connect with their readers on Twitter - more to come soon!