When the pandemic threatened the closure of Madison, Wisconsin’s alternative newspaper, Isthmus, a subset of the staff mobilized, publishing online and quickly launching a reader donation program that generated thousands of dollars within its first few weeks. Now, in 2023, Isthmus operates as a nonprofit, offers a membership program to generate steady reader revenue and […]
Posted inBest Practices
Should you do an end-of-year reader revenue campaign?
The answer is yes. Autumn is in full swing, and all your nonprofit friends are up to their ears in end-of-year fundraising preparations. It’s got you wondering: should you do an end-of-year campaign? Won’t you be drowned out? What if you’re for-profit — is an end-of-year campaign even for you? Take Nike’s advice: Just do […]
Posted inBest Practices
How Net Promoter Scores can help news organizations measure reader satisfaction
Publications that collect net promoter scores regularly are able to measure reader satisfaction over time, and there could be opportunities to see how the scores change based on where a reader is in the audience funnel. For a publication’s supporters, an NPS survey can identify brand advocates and readers in danger of churning, and automations can be used to continue communication with either group.
Posted inNews
BlueLena launches new revenue development training program
BlueLena is thrilled to announce the launch of our one-year revenue development training program and welcome Tagg Magazine, Bay Area Reporter and NEXTpittsburgh to the inaugural cohort. This new program blends accelerator-style coaching with hands-on execution support in a peer-based learning environment. The Academy’s mission is to help publishers develop and implement strategies to achieve […]
Posted inCase Studies
How BlueLena increased email signup rates by 61% on Newspack sites
When building email signup popups on the Newspack platform, publishers can include options for readers to sign in with Google or log into an existing account through the modal. A simplified approach where a reader’s only choice is to enter an email and submit the form is also available. A/B testing done earlier this year by BlueLena reveals a notable bump in the signup rate for publishers choosing the simpler approach.
Posted inBest Practices
Get ready for Gmail’s new spam guidelines
This October, Gmail introduced new policies for “bulk senders” — anyone who sends more than 5,000 emails to Gmail addresses in one day. While the headlines surfacing about the new guidelines may seem like major changes will be needed, as a BlueLena client, you’re already following at least two of the three new policies. The third new policy surrounds spam […]
Posted inBest Practices
10 ways to grow your list before the end of the year
End of year campaigning is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to grow your email list before reaching out with year-end asks. Below, find ten of our top tactics for boosting email signups. Optimize on-site popups On-site popups are one of the most effective ways to generate new signups. Take a look […]
Posted inCommentary
Big topics at ONA 2023
I joined Ned and Daniel at ONA last month, and have been reflecting on two common threads across the many sessions and panels of the week. Generative AI One topic that kept popping up was generative AI. During the last week of August, I also shared resources and ideas about practical uses of generative AI […]
Posted inCase Studies
What 7,500 news readers say about supporting and engaging with newsrooms
Surveys are a powerful audience listening tool for newsrooms, allowing journalists to better understand what readers are thinking, helping to plan coverage, messaging and new products more effectively. As part of BlueLena’s support of newsrooms across the United States, an 11-question reader survey is typically deployed to existing readers, and as part of the email […]
Posted inNews
BlueLena to receive financial support from LION Publishers infrastructure initiative
This week was the big news of the Press Forward project, an investment of $500 million to support the growth, expansion and sustainability of local news organizations across the country. Among the anchor funders of this extraordinary initiative is the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which has pledged $150 million toward the collaborative effort. You […]