–30– With A But…

This marks the end for my time as the compensated Executive Director of The Relevance Project. For 2 1/2 years, National Newspaper Managers (NAM) boldly provided the seed investment for a lead role in advancing the initiative. It delivered advocacy for local newspapers, best practices to supplement training efforts, better ways to tell the story

RPD: Reach, Relevance, Revenue

114th in a 2022 Series* If you haven’t had much time to think about next year, “5 principles to guide your media strategy for 2023” is for you. It’s also for those who want to double-check what’s planned or fill in what’s missing. The article distributed by Digital Content Next is based on a conversation

RPD: Adding To The John Foust Series

113th in a 2022 Series* Newspaper advertising mentor and trainer John Foust has added three more advice installments to his exclusive Relevance Project series. That makes a total of nine “favorites” from the author and instructor whose columns are among the most widely published by state press associations. The new trio covers the “With-it-ness” Principle,

RPD: Cheers For No. 3 In Mississippi

112th in a 2022 Series* Congratulations to Publisher Christina Pierce and The Pine Belt News in Hattiesburg for adding to an experimental series of Community Forums in Mississippi. “How Do We Support Public Education?” on Nov. 30 featured a panel of three local school superintendents and a community conversation moderated by the mayor of Hattiesburg.

RPD: Rebut Tiresome Arguments

111th in a 2022 Series This column was originally pitched for use during National Newspaper Week in October. I’ve tweaked it for anytime publication. If anything, use it as inspiration for your own version of what irks you. By Tom Silvestri It’s been almost three years since I received my last paycheck from a newspaper

RPD: Returning Favor To North Carolina

110th in a 2022 Series* The Relevance Project thanks Phil Lucey and the North Carolina Press Association for the opportunity to talk Community Forum at the annual conference in Raleigh on Aug. 25. It was impressive to learn that a couple of newspapers had Community Forum-like approaches underway as part of either the Google News

RPD: Deep In The Heart Of Texas

109th in a 2022 Series* We thank the Texas Press Association for embracing the Relevance Project’s resources and the Community Forum strategy as a vital part of its Convention & Trade Show in San Marcos this past Friday and Saturday (July 28-30). The invitation continues the strong support of The Relevance Project by TPA Executive

RPD: The John Foust Series

108th in a 2022 Series* Exclusive to The Relevance Project, veteran trainer and solutions shaper John Foust is sharing his favorite advertising advice columns that first appeared in trade association publications or accompanied his programs conducted for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. The set of six one-pagers covers a meaty variety of subjects, ranging from

RPD: We’re In ‘A Path Forward’

107th in a 2022 Series* The State of Local News 2022 was released this week in a blockbuster report (link is here). We were pleasantly surprised and honored to see The Relevance Project show up in the section headlined “A Path Forward.” Here’s the recognition: “At a summit on rural journalism, Tom Silvestri, former publisher

RPD: Community Forum No. 2 In Mississippi

106th in a 2022 Series* The testing of THE Community Forum strategy continues this week in Mississippi with a second civil, civic conversation on issues of importance.  “How Do We Combat Brain Drain?” is the topic of the Community Forum in Tupelo at 6 p.m. Thursday (June 30). Daily Journal is the host newspaper, with