RSS FeedWe’re Number G! *
Every day you read about the death of print media and how online content is the future of publishing. As an online publication ourselves, we like the (minor) role we’re playing in the changing face of the media. Even so, there is something about print, and we think it’s always exciting for bloggers to find their work recognized in hard copy media.
Though the vultures may be circling the printing press, we were still excited to discover earlier this week that in the current issue of Washingtonian (April 2009, on newsstands now) Penn Quarter Living is listed as one of DC’s “Best Local Blogs” (Vol. 44, No. 7, Pg. 48…not that we bought 10 copies). While the write up is only a couple of sentences, we were flattered to be included. And if the Washingtonian can make such great decisions about worthy blogs, maybe this whole death of the printed word thing is greatly exaggerated.
* For those of you who haven’t seen a print copy (WHAT?), there were ten blogs listed as “Best Local Blogs” but instead of numbers they’re listed as A through J. PQLiving comes in at G. And we know we couldn’t have done it without our loyal readers, thank you!
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Comments
growing up reading a print newspaper since high school, I have mixed emotions about this death of the print media concept. I think there will be a place for print for a while but its role is changing and much of that change hinges on how well newspapers and magazines both adapt and are active in shaping and advocating their media role in an evolving world. I think the serious newspapers need to rethink their giving away all of their content for free on the Internet.
the user interface and low cost (well, currently low cost) of reading a printed newspaper are really hard to beat. it’s the distribution, real time update and giveaway of the content where the Internet spanks the print product and allows ventures like PQ Living to engage an audience.
In today’s Post, there are explanations of their newest cost-cutting measures and the content that will now be available exclusively online. I’m beginning to feel like an extreme fool for paying them for a newspaper… now, not only could I get the same content for free online, I could get MORE content. Why are they doing this? Couldn’t they at least charge a nominal fee, maybe $5 a month, for online access? Or they could come up with an innovative fee structure, maybe charging per article accessed. Maybe they have long-range plans for revenue generation, but in the meantime they’re laying off the very people who provide the content.
First off, thanks for the compliments, we really enjoy having such an active and vocal readership.
As for the demise of print publishing, I’m with Anon. I knew about the cost cutting measures the Post was introducing today, but it was still a shock to have the newspaper arrive today with no separate business section, and only two pages of comics (hey, I read them everyday) which were now significantly smaller in size than before. We’ve been Post subscribers for about 7 years, but we’re canceling our subscription today. Much as I like reading the newspaper in print, it’s not worth it to me to spend the money for delivery everyday for something that is not only free online, but actually more substantial as well.
We’ll probably still buy a paper most days, but we go out and jog first thing in the morning and can bring 50 cents with us when we want a paper. I’m sure the Post figured a certain percentage of subscribers would cancel when they made these cuts, just like Metro knows they’ll lose some riders when they raise rates.
the more they cut the substance of the paper, the closer it gets to the Metro Express which is already free for those of us downtown or riding metro (although of course not delivered)
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congratulations!