A journalist and director of learning at the University of Kent's Centre for Journalism in southeast England, Ian Reeves, is researching community-funded reporting, "an area where I know you have some very interesting current experience,'' he says in an e-mail today. I'm delighted to answer Reeves' very interesting questions about my experience so far:Q. Has the amount you have raised exceeded your expectations?
A. Indeed! Back in October, I set a goal of earning $24,000 a year from several sources, including Gannett Blog. So far from the blog alone, I've earned about $11,000; most of that, $8,600, has been donations from my incredibly generous readers.
Q. Have you had any positive or negative feedback from donors after they gave money?
A. I've received lots of positive notes via e-mail and snail-mail. On the other hand, a number of readers have posted comments on my blog, saying they gave money, but were disappointed in my coverage. I cannot verify that those are genuine donors, however, because their comments are never signed.
Q. Did any issues arise from raising the money that affected your reporting?
A. I'm more circumspect about my personal life, for several reasons. I've grown weary of critics second-guessing how I live. (Imagine having dozens of parents chastising you for taking a vacation!)
Q. Are you going to keep fundraising in this way?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you think the idea behind community-funded reporting is workable on a larger scale?
A. Yes. It starts with a deceptively simple request: Please pay for my work.
Related: Gannett's U.K. Newsquest division publishes 17 dailies, plus scores of other titles
I'm trying to earn $6,000 quarterly, mostly through sponsorships of $5 per reader, plus limited ad sales. Please use the "Donate" tool in the green rail, upper right. Or mail cash/checks payable to: Jim Hopkins, 584 Castro St. #823, San Francisco, Calif., 94114-2594.
Thanks Jim, that's helpful. There's one other question that should have been on my original list: roughly what proportion of your community of readers have donated?
ReplyDeleteOh and if any of your readers know of any other community-funded journalism projects, large or small, I'd be interested to hear of them. I'll keep watching replies to this post.
Ian Reeves
Centre for Journalism
University of Kent
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIan: I'll have to noodle around to see if the number you asked for even exists. Off the top of my head, however, I'd guess the total number of sponsors is well below 500. Many give far more than the suggested $5 per quarter; they're paying the freight for everyone!
ReplyDelete"I cannot verify that those are genuine donors, however, because their comments are never signed."
ReplyDeleteWay to pass the buck, Jim.
Jim: Too dumb to resolve the problem.
Um, passing the buck? I give you ad views. Your business model is flawed.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Somebody with a clue.