Connect with us

Startups

Private equity is buying up America’s newspapers

Published

on

America’s local newspapers have been struggling to stay afloat for years. Since 2005 roughly 2,200 of them have folded. Private-equity firms, which often swoop on businesses in distress, have descended on the industry. The share of American newspapers owned by private-equity groups increased from 5% to 23% between 2001 and 2019 (see chart).

The covid-19 pandemic has presented new opportunities for buy-outs of troubled media companies. That has led many of those who read the papers, or write for them, to fear that buy-out barons’ readiness to slash costs and seek out new sources of revenue will be bad for newsrooms. New evidence suggests that things are not quite that simple.

In a new working paper, researchers at the California Institute of Technology and New York University compare how newspapers that were purchased by private-equity firms have fared relative to those that were not. Some of the findings seem to confirm the fear of those newspaper readers and writers who see private-equity types as heartless vulture capitalists unconcerned about democracy.

After private-equity buy-outs, for example, newspapers laid off more reporters and editors. Across a sample of 766 American publications (accounting for around 45% of total circulation), payrolls were about 7% lower after a couple of years at those with new private-equity capital relative to those without such capital. The researchers also identified a 16.7% relative decline in the number of articles written within five years of the buy-outs.

And the focus of coverage shifted from local to national news: the share of articles on local politics dropped by about a tenth. That looks worrying in the context of a study published last year, by researchers at Colorado State University, Louisiana State University and Texas a&m University, which concluded that when readers consume national news their views become more polarised. Poor local coverage is also associated with less competitive mayoral elections, and newsroom staff shortages are linked to lower voter turnout.

ALSO READ:  Mastering the Art of Freelance Proposals: How to Craft a Standout Pitch and Win Clients

Local news may, though, be a losing battle from the business perspective. Local reporting is expensive, because it requires journalists on the ground and cannot be syndicated. Moreover, readers appear increasingly apathetic towards local news—a survey in 2018 by the Pew Research Centre, a think-tank, found that only 14% of respondents paid for local papers that year—and instead seek out national online media.

As for the size of newsrooms, things could have been much worse were it not for private equity. For the study also found that newspapers which had been bought out were 75% less likely to shut down than if they hadn’t been. Dailies were also 60% less likely to become weeklies—a common downgrade for many a suffering rag.

The study’s authors caution that they cannot estimate the general causal effect of private-equity buy-outs on the press, but only the observed effect on the newspapers in their sample. Private-equity firms do not purchase newspapers randomly. They target failing newsrooms with potential for turnaround; papers with low circulation but high advertising rates (the price charged to advertisers per square inch) were likelier to be bought. But for the newspapers studied, the buy-outs may have been what allowed them to survive. The accompanying weakening of newsrooms and nationalization of news may be the lesser of two evils. 

Via Economist

freelance

Unleashing Creativity: A Deep Dive into Twine.net’s Freelance Marketplace

Published

on

Introduction

Twine.net stands out as a platform connecting creative professionals with businesses seeking top-tier talent in the ever-evolving landscape of freelance marketplaces. This detailed review delves into Twine.net’s features, benefits, and drawbacks of Twine.net, shedding light on its functionality and usability.

Overview of Twine.net
Twine.net is a popular online marketplace that caters to a wide range of creative professionals, including graphic designers, musicians, writers, and more. Founded in 2013, Twine.net has gained traction for its user-friendly interface and diverse pool of freelancers.

User Experience and Interface
One of the key strengths of Twine.net is its intuitive user interface, which makes it easy for both freelancers and clients to navigate the platform. The streamlined design allows users to create profiles, browse projects, and communicate seamlessly.

Project Matching and Collaboration
Twine.net excels in matching freelancers with relevant projects based on their skills and expertise. The platform’s algorithm ensures that clients find the right talent for their specific needs, fostering successful collaborations and high-quality outcomes.

Payment and Security
When it comes to payments, Twine.net offers secure transactions through its platform, providing peace of mind for both freelancers and clients. The escrow system ensures that funds are released only upon project completion, safeguarding against potential disputes.

Community and Support
Twine.net boasts a vibrant community of creatives who engage in forums, discussions, and networking opportunities. The platform also provides robust customer support to address any issues or queries promptly, enhancing the overall user experience.

Pricing and Fees
While Twine.net is free to join for freelancers, the platform charges a commission fee on completed projects. This fee structure may vary based on the project size and complexity, so users should be aware of these costs before engaging in transactions.

ALSO READ:  5 Tech Brand Case Studies That Will Inspire You

Pros and Cons

Pros:

A diverse pool of creative professionals

Intuitive user interface

Secure payment system

Active community engagement

Cons:

Commission fees on completed projects

Limited customization options for profiles

Conclusion
In conclusion, Twine.net emerges as a robust freelance marketplace that caters to the needs of both freelancers and clients in the creative industry. With its user-friendly interface, secure payment system, and active community engagement, Twine.net offers a valuable platform for connecting talent with opportunities.

Continue Reading

SEO

How to Create Quality Backlinks for Your Website? A Step-by-Step Guide

Published

on

Backlinks are one of the most important factors in search engine optimization (SEO). They are links from other websites to your own website, and they act as a vote of confidence in your website’s authority and quality. The more high-quality backlinks your website has, the higher it will rank in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means that more people will see your website when they search for keywords related to your business or industry.

There are many different ways to create backlinks, but not all of them are created equal. Some backlinks are more valuable than others, and some backlinks can even hurt your SEO.

In this article, I will show you how to create high-quality backlinks that will help you improve your website’s ranking and visibility in search engines.

Step 1: Create high-quality content

The best way to attract backlinks is to create high-quality content that is informative, engaging, and useful to your target audience. When you create high-quality content, other websites are more likely to link to it.

Here are some tips for creating high-quality content:

  • Write content that is relevant to your target audience.
  • Write content that is informative and engaging.
  • Write content that is well-written and free of errors.
  • Write content that is unique and original.
  • Promote your content on social media and other websites.

Step 2: Guest blog

Guest blogging is a great way to get backlinks from high-quality websites. When you guest blog, you write an article for another website in your industry. In return, the website will typically give you a backlink to your own website.

ALSO READ:  7 Effective Tips for Enhancing Your Blogging Skills

To find guest blogging opportunities, you can use a search engine to search for “guest post” or “write for us” opportunities. You can also reach out to websites directly to see if they are accepting guest posts.

When you write a guest post, be sure to write high-quality content that is relevant to the website’s audience. You should also include a link back to your own website in your author bio.

Step 3: Broken link building

Broken link building is a technique where you find broken links on other websites and then contact the website owner to let them know. If the website owner fixes the broken link, they may also link to your website as a replacement.

Step 4: Build relationships with other websites

One of the best ways to get backlinks is to build relationships with other websites in your industry. You can do this by commenting on other websites’ blog posts, sharing their content on social media, and guest blogging for their websites.

When you build relationships with other websites, they are more likely to link to your website in the future.

Step 5: Promote your website on social media

Social media is a great way to promote your website and attract backlinks. When you share your content on social media, be sure to include a link back to your website.

You can also use social media to connect with other websites in your industry. Once you have connected with other websites, you can start building relationships with them.

Step 6: Use a link-building tool

ALSO READ:  10 Compelling Reasons Why Freelancers Should Have a Personal Website to Showcase Their Portfolio

There are a number of link-building tools available that can help you find and create backlinks. These tools can be helpful, but it is important to use them carefully.

Some link-building tools can generate low-quality backlinks that can hurt your SEO. It is important to only use link-building tools that generate high-quality backlinks.

Conclusion

Creating high-quality backlinks is one of the best ways to improve your website’s ranking and visibility in search engines. By following the tips in this article, you can start creating backlinks that will help you achieve your SEO goals.

Here are some additional tips for creating quality backlinks:

  • Avoid link schemes. Link schemes are attempts to manipulate search engine rankings by building artificial links. Search engines can detect link schemes, and they can penalize websites that use them.
  • Focus on getting backlinks from high-quality websites. Backlinks from high-quality websites are more valuable than backlinks from low-quality websites.
  • Get backlinks from diverse websites. Don’t just focus on getting backlinks from websites in your own industry.
Continue Reading

blogging

Five Ways to use Email Marketing effectively for your Blog

Published

on

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to connect with your blog audience and promote your content. It’s a direct line of communication to your subscribers, and it allows you to build relationships with them on a more personal level.

But with so many emails competing for people’s attention, it’s important to make sure your emails are well-written, informative, and engaging. Here are five tips for using email marketing effectively for your blog:

1. Build a targeted email list

The first step to effective email marketing is to build a targeted email list. This means collecting email addresses from people who are interested in your blog content.

There are many different ways to collect email addresses, such as:

  • Adding a sign-up form to your blog sidebar
  • Offering a lead magnet, such as a free ebook or checklist, in exchange for an email address
  • Promoting your email list on social media and in your blog posts
  • Running email marketing contests and giveaways

Once you have a list of email subscribers, it’s important to segment your list so that you can send more targeted emails. For example, you could segment your list by interests, demographics, or purchase history.

2. Write compelling subject lines

The subject line is the first thing people see when they receive an email, so it’s important to make it count. A good subject line will be clear, concise, and attention-grabbing.

Here are a few tips for writing compelling subject lines:

  • Use strong power words, such as “new,” “free,” “limited time offer,” and “exclusive.”
  • Personalize the subject line by including the subscriber’s name or a topic that they’re interested in.
  • Ask a question or create a sense of urgency.
  • Keep the subject line short and sweet, so that it displays fully in the subscriber’s inbox.

3. Write engaging email content

The body of your email should be well-written, informative, and engaging. Avoid writing salesy or promotional emails. Instead, focus on providing your subscribers with valuable content that they will enjoy reading.

Here are a few tips for writing engaging email content:

  • Start with a strong introduction that grabs the reader’s attention.
  • Write in a conversational tone and use clear, concise language.
  • Break up your text with headings and images.
  • Include a call to action at the end of your email, such as inviting subscribers to visit your blog, read a new article, or download a free resource.

4. Send emails at the right time

When you send your emails is just as important as what you write in them. You want to send emails at a time when your subscribers are most likely to open and read them.

The best time to send emails varies depending on your audience, but a good rule of thumb is to send them during the workweek, between 9am and 5pm. You should also avoid sending emails on weekends and holidays.

ALSO READ:  10 Compelling Reasons Why Freelancers Should Have a Personal Website to Showcase Their Portfolio

5. Track your results and optimize your campaigns

It’s important to track the results of your email marketing campaigns so that you can see what’s working and what’s not. This information can help you to optimize your campaigns over time.

Most email marketing platforms provide detailed analytics on your campaigns, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. You can use this data to identify which subject lines, content, and send times are most effective.

Additional tips for using email marketing effectively for your blog

  • Use a professional email marketing platform. There are many different email marketing platforms available, such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and ConvertKit. These platforms make it easy to create and send email campaigns, and they also provide detailed analytics on your results.
  • Make your emails mobile-friendly. More and more people are reading their emails on mobile devices, so it’s important to make sure your emails look good and function well on all devices.
  • Don’t overdo it. Don’t send too many emails to your subscribers, or they’ll unsubscribe from your list. A good rule of thumb is to send one or two emails per week.
  • Test different elements of your campaigns. Use A/B testing to test different subject lines, content, and send times to see what works best for your audience.

Five case studies of bloggers who use email marketing effectively

Here are five case studies of bloggers who use email marketing effectively:

1. Pat Flynn

Pat Flynn is a blogger and podcaster who helps entrepreneurs start and grow their online businesses. He uses email marketing to build relationships with his audience and promote his content.

He sends out a weekly email newsletter called “Smart Passive Income.” His email newsletters are typically around 2,000 words long and packed with valuable content. He includes a mix of personal stories, business advice, and actionable tips.

Flynn also uses email marketing to promote his courses, products, and services. However, he always does this in a way that is helpful and informative. He never sends out salesy or promotional emails.

As a result of his effective email marketing strategy, Flynn has built a large and engaged email list. His email newsletters have open rates of over 50% and click-through rates of over 10%.

2. Marie Forleo

Marie Forleo is a life coach and entrepreneur who helps people create a life and business that they love. She uses email marketing to connect with her audience and share her inspiring messages.

Forleo sends out a weekly email newsletter called “Marie Forleo.” Her email newsletters are typically around 1,000 words long and include a mix of personal stories, motivational messages, and practical advice.

Forleo also uses email marketing to promote her courses, products, and services. However, she always does this in a way that is aligned with her values and mission. She never sends out salesy or pushy emails.

ALSO READ:  How to Learn Social Media Without Getting Scammed

As a result of her effective email marketing strategy, Forleo has built a large and loyal email list. Her email newsletters have open rates of over 40% and click-through rates of over 10%.

3. Jeff Goins

Jeff Goins is an author and speaker who helps people write and share their stories. He uses email marketing to build relationships with his audience and promote his books and courses.

Goins sends out a weekly email newsletter called “GoinsWriter.” His email newsletters are typically around 1,000 words long and include a mix of personal stories, writing advice, and book reviews.

Goins also uses email marketing to promote his courses and products. However, he always does this in a way that is helpful and informative. He never sends out salesy or promotional emails.

As a result of his effective email marketing strategy, Goins has built a large and engaged email list. His email newsletters have open rates of over 30% and click-through rates of over 10%.

4. Melyssa Griffin

Melyssa Griffin is a business coach and strategist who helps women entrepreneurs start and grow their online businesses. She uses email marketing to connect with her audience and share her business expertise.

Griffin sends out a weekly email newsletter called “The Business Siren.” Her email newsletters are typically around 1,000 words long and include a mix of personal stories, business advice, and case studies.

Griffin also uses email marketing to promote her courses and products. However, she always does this in a way that is aligned with her values and mission. She never sends out salesy or pushy emails.

As a result of her effective email marketing strategy, Griffin has built a large and loyal email list. Her email newsletters have open rates of over 40% and click-through rates of over 10%.

5. Darren Rowse

Darren Rowse is the founder of ProBlogger.net, a popular blog about blogging. He uses email marketing to connect with his audience and share his blogging expertise.

Rowse sends out a weekly email newsletter called “ProBlogger.” His email newsletters are typically around 1,000 words long and include a mix of personal stories, blogging tips, and case studies.

Rowse also uses email marketing to promote his courses and products. However, he always does this in a way that is helpful and informative. He never sends out salesy or promotional emails.

As a result of his effective email marketing strategy, Rowse has built a large and engaged email list. His email newsletters have open rates of over 30% and click-through rates of over 10%.

These are just a few examples of bloggers who are using email marketing effectively to build relationships with their audience and promote their content. If you’re serious about blogging, then you should definitely consider adding email marketing to your marketing strategy.

Conclusion

As a blogger, building relationships and promoting your content is essential. Email marketing can help grow your blog audience and increase engagement, but it’s important to have a clear understanding of your target audience and their interests. Personalizing your emails and segmenting your list based on subscriber behaviour can lead to higher open rates and click-through rates. Additionally, creating compelling subject lines, providing valuable content, and optimizing your emails for mobile devices are all important factors for success. By implementing these tips, you can take advantage of email marketing’s power to reach your goals and grow your blog audience.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending Posts

App2 weeks ago

Telegram Miniapps: Game Changers in Tokenomics and New Opportunities for Freelancers in 2024

The rise of Web3 technologies, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized platforms has introduced new and exciting opportunities for both users and developers....

blogging7 months ago

5 Ways To Leverage Business Coaching To Grow Your Marketing Agency

Business coaching has become a popular way for entrepreneurs to improve their skills and grow their companies. It is a...

blogging7 months ago

Unlocking Success: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Make Money as a Travel Blogger and Vlogger

Introduction In today’s digital age, the world of travel blogging and vlogging has exploded, allowing individuals to turn their passion...

blogging7 months ago

SimplyHired: The Great Platform for Freelance and Regular Journalist, Writing, and Technical Jobs

Introduction SimplyHired.com has emerged as a prominent player in the job search industry, offering a wide array of opportunities for...

freelance7 months ago

Freelance Mastery: 10 Proven Tips for New Freelancers to Secure More Projects & Excel in the Gig Economy

Introduction In today’s digital age, freelancing has become a popular choice for many individuals seeking flexibility, autonomy, and diverse opportunities....

person using macbook pro person using macbook pro
freelance7 months ago

Unlocking Opportunities: The Top 10 Freelance Marketplaces for Landing Quick Online Jobs

Introduction In today’s digital age, freelance marketplaces have revolutionized the way people work, offering a plethora of opportunities for individuals...

freelance8 months ago

Gofreelance.ae Review: A Comprehensive Guide to the Freelance Marketplace

Gofreelance. ae is a freelance marketplace that connects clients with freelancers across various industries. Freelancers can offer their services and...

architect working on computer architect working on computer
freelance8 months ago

Freelancer’s Guide to Success: Mastering 10 Essential Work Ethics Online

In the fast-paced and competitive landscape of freelancing, maintaining a strong work ethic is crucial for achieving success. Whether you’re...

Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2009 -2023 REMOTEWORKTIPS.PRO , All Rights Reserved