Using Facebook/My Space pages to attract young readers

[Rex Harrison]

At this point, would it really hurt for each paper's Web/IT guy to put a little more work in to execute some of these ideas? They're not half bad as ideas for how to reach younger readers. At least it would be an attempt at staying relevant.

Of course, that's assuming the paper has content worth a shirt. I left the business because my former paper is shirt. I stopped taking it because I know how shirt it is, but people don't have to work there to know it. I was the only person taking it on my block before I moved.

 

[Jeremy Goodwin]

It looks like the Sun-Times News Group is attempting to get the facebook audience with the "Your Season" application. I saw on my newsfeed that two of my friends have the app.

Here is the description from the application page:

Want to keep updated with the latest news from your favorite Chicago area high school sports teams? Just choose a school (up to three) and get all the news, scores and schedules throughout the season. You can also share the links with your friends and add them to your profile. Your Season features coverage from the entire Sun-Times News Group, which includes the Chicago Sun-Times, Aurora Beacon News, Joliet Herald-News, Lake County News-Sun, Southtown Star, Naperville Sun, Post-Tribue and all the Pioneer Press newspapers.

This seems like a good idea. Kids don't have to actively search for news, but if there is a story about their HS, they will (i think) see it on some kind of newsfeed. I might sign up for it to keep up with my HS. I check my old school's Web site once every few months. The girls bball team is usually pretty good and this would be a good way to learn about the team without having to search for the news.

 

[Diabeetus]

I agree with you, Jeremy.

It seems like something easy that wouldn't require the user to do much work. I'd like to see more papers try that, especially with the newsfeed.