Best Ideas Roundtable Luncheon

Thanks to all who attended the ANA 2008 Fall Convention. The ideas we generated are listed here. And most of these are super-simple to implement!

In no particular order:

• Rule #1: Promote your Web site thoroughly in your print product.
  
• Text breaking news to mobile phones (Examples: Miami Herald, Des Moines Register and WYFF Channel 4)
  
• Send out email alerts for breaking news (Examples: Lawrence Journal-World, Texarkana Gazette and The Daily Journal.
  
• Have a different poll on your Web site each week (Create free polls at: SurveyMonkey, PollDaddy or ZapSurvey.)
  
• Link back to your advertisers (This should be a no-brainer)
  
• Get more reader interaction with comments
  
• Post local events (Examples: The Arizona Republic, Austin American-Stateman)
  
• Create special community contests such as "Pet Idol", "Best workplace smile" or "Best ____ in your town"
  
• Use audio and video to do a portrait on someone in the community
  
• Get listed with Google News Archive Search
  
• Create a Twitter presence
  
• Linkbacks: If someone emails you about a new band, impending nuptials, store grand opening, etc., email them a link back to that story. Nothing spreads like word of mouth (or grandma's emails).
  
• Photo slideshows: Quick, easy and better than just plain text (Example: Las Vegas Sun, Arizona Daily Star)
  
• Email newsletters or e-editions (Examples: Green Valley News and Sun, Abilene Reporter-News)
  
• Recognizing leaders in the community: Extraordinary women, true volunteers, exceptional teachers
  
• Promote garage sales bigtime. Who doesn't like a bargain?
  
• Making smarter use of niche products
  
• Delving into the community's culture: Navajo language, motorcycles, etc.
  
• Get listed with Topix
  

The most important thing to remember? Give your community something that keeps them coming back for more. Think outside the box. See a great idea that's not listed here? Post it to the comments section.