Let’s face it.
If you’re reading this, you’ve either survived New Year’s Eve or (dramatic pause required here) I’ve managed to create the world’s greatest app that links you to my column in the afterlife! Move over Zuckerberg. That Facebook idea looks like chump change now.
OK, but for those still living — hey — Happy New Year!
One of the things I like to do at the beginning of each year is to figure out what the heck will change from last year . What can I do — what can The Columbian do — to make 2011 better than 2010?
For me, the first thing I can do is quit betting on the Gators! With the money I’ll save, I’m thinking about getting the speedometer fixed on my ’86 Honda Prelude. Although you’d be surprised how you can “feel” how fast you’re going when you can’t rely on modern technology.
As far as The Columbian goes, well, there’s lots and lots of folks who are involved in making The Columbian better. All of us here — and I mean all of us — play a role.
So what’s cookin’ in 2011?
• Beware of smoke and mirrors. Look, there are plenty of websites out there that are looking for a niche, and some of them are actually pretty good. Others, not so much.
Today, it’s pretty simple to throw a few bucks at the Internet, and presto, you’re in the news business. Ultimately, consumers decide if they’re getting their needs satisfied.
There are plenty of ways around using good ol’ hard work and feet on the street to gather information. But in the end, it takes those feet on the street to do a good job. And we gots da feet.
• Expect to see improvements in our website. With a base of seasoned reporters at our site’s core, we will be introducing bloggers to help us help you. For example, Steve Pierce, a local weather blogger, has joined our team.
These relationships are a win-win. We win because we have his expertise. Steve wins because his association with us will bring him a boost in Web traffic. (If you’re a local blogger with an expertise, contact Web Editor Libby Tucker at 360-735-4553 or libby.tucker@columbian.com.
• We had a challenging 2010 when it came to revenues. (Read “challenging” as “madre di mio!”)
But we feel pretty good about 2011.
• Time to ramp up a bit. After taking some heavy personnel cutbacks over the past couple of years, we’re adding three positions to the newsroom. This should pay off for our readers in stories with more depth and add even more texture to our website. We’re in the process of hiring for these positions right now. We’ve also added a couple of advertising positions to better strengthen our revenue opportunities.
• Lunch with Lou? Hey, I’m not saying everyone would be thrilled with this opportunity, but at least I have fun with the occasional contests I run right here in the column. And the prize usually is lunch with me.
OK, OK, well at least I’m paying. So even if I’m not considered good company, the price is right!
What might the first contest involve? Nothing official yet, but if I were a betting man, here’s something I’d think about:
What is the most important thing Clark County could do to get us all back on track? Crazy talk — although almost always entertaining — isn’t likely to win.
Politicians are welcome to enter, but if the suggestion is digging deeper into our pockets, well, that sounds a little like crazy talk to me.
Now let’s get crackin’ on this New Year!
Lou Brancaccio is The Columbian’s editor. Reach him at 360-735-4505 or lou.brancaccio@columbian.com.
