The Statewide News Collective

News organizations serving an entire state or with a focus on statewide issues have unique needs compared to local or metro organizations. At the Statewide News Collective’s kickoff event in May 2022, opening discussions focused on developing new audiences, expanding product offerings, diversifying revenue streams, and supporting distributed workforces. 

Participants identified the following core questions for further exploration across their operations: 

• Audience: How do statewide publishers engage untapped or underserved audiences and meet their information needs in an equitable way? Are there opportunities to widen the top of the funnel and reach audiences beyond highly engaged readers already invested in state coverage? What are effective republishing strategies to partner with local news organizations? 
• Product: Can members prioritize and share news products, build news products for portability at a low cost, and share information on new and useful tools and technology? 
• Revenue: How can members share information and best practices on fundraising messaging and tactics? What are some strategies to expand donor bases and membership? How should publishers approach donor stewardship and retention across their states? What’s the best way to track and report impact to funders? How can publishers leverage editorial events as money makers? 
• People and culture: How can publishers build organizational culture in a new era of distributed and remote workforces? What’s the best way to manage growing staffs and facilitate training when employees are spread across an entire state? How can news organizations advance diversity, equity, and representation in recruitment and retention of employees? How do news organizations grow while managing burnout?