Lots of books coverage equals big circulation?
By William M. Hartnett on Oct 2, 2007 in featured, newspapers
> Why publishing book reviews makes sense (Philadelphia Inquirer)
(Via Romenesko)
I don’t care what you think about newspaper book reviews or sections, this bit of the column linked above is just … well, I’ll let you be the judge:
Benighted managers, we think, fail to notice that the five newspapers with the most coverage and staff devoted to books - USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post - are also the five newspapers with the highest circulations in the country.
Well, that makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Plan to secure the future of your 40,000-circ local newspaper, Step 1: Radically expand you book coverage and staff to New York Times levels. Step 2: Become a million-circulating national newspaper. Step 3: Profit.
Because, you know, those top 5 national newspapers, with their excellent book coverage, don’t have any problems. They’re just swimming in profit and readership gains, and they definitely aren’t facing any fundamental threats to their very survival.
Ryan | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply
And to think, I was going to let that one slide. (Note to self: Send that link to my research methods prof.)
William M. Hartnett | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply
If there’s one thing I can be relied upon to do, it’s slum for cheap shots where more high-minded commentators have passed. Leave no easy slam behind, that’s my philosophy.