You’ve probably noticed we look a little different today. Our new design improves our load time, navigates more easily, looks fresh and modern and is a vast improvement.
It also allows for fewer banner ads. We find that our advertisers get best results when banner ads sit “above the fold” so our ads will only extend that far. In general, we are moving away from banner ads and toward more sponsored posts and native advertising. I know some of you don’t like that, but it’s where online advertising is going and it’s how we pay our bills.
We have also added a new way to allow readers to submit events and press releases for a fee. Many of you ask for coverage of your events and news and, unfortunately, we don’t have the staff to cover all the newsworthy stories that come our way. The new system allows you to submit those items for $25 (for non-profits) and $50 (for businesses), and more for a boost (sorry, but we have to cover our costs) to get the word out to our readers.
Since we’re on the subject of change, we are also switching from a manually designed newsletter to an automated newsletter, so if it comes to your email inbox every day at 4:30 p.m. you will notice a change in design there, too. (And if you are not receiving it and would like to, click here to sign-up.) The new system only allows for distribution on the hour so the newsletter will go out at 5:00 p.m. now.
The news business is still struggling to find a sustainable business model (see DNAInfo and City Paper). I am proud that Baltimore Fishbowl continues to chug along, growing its audience, revenue, influence, and brand. Thank you for reading the Baltimore Fishbowl. We are committed to sticking around for the long haul, adapting along the way, and we cannot do it without your readership and support.
Looks terrific!
I like everything about it – and you are
entirely right to find ways to pay the bills. After all, that is also how
you grow!