Dog bites man isn’t news.
We’re in a recession isn’t news either.
What is newsworthy are the stories of all the companies who are not laying off their employees or see growth ahead in 2009. Most, if not all, of these companies are small businesses and startups. That makes sense. Historically, recessions end when jobs are created. Jobs created generate spending. Spending drives an economy.
Who creates those jobs in a recession? Small business and startups.
What we need now are the stories of these small businesses who are not issuing pink slips. What we need are stories, profiles and case studies, of businesses and their leaders who are thriving...right now.
Mainstream media is desperate for readers, for an audience. These stories would be interesting. These stories would bring readers. And you would be doing a service for your community, if not our country, by sharing tips and tools, resources and profiles, of companies who remain successful right now.
Here’s 9 stories, that mainstream media can report that will A. bring readers, avid and loyal, to your publication (that will help save your business); B. help save businesses in your community; C. their success will bring more jobs to your community; D. Collectively, if enough stories like these are shared... speed the recovery of our economy.
1. Profile companies in your community that are growing.
2. Share tips and resources that help small businesses grow.
3. Provide a forum for business leaders to share their expertise in guest columns.
4. Host a live, in-person, community forum for business leaders, owners, members...to meet and share ideas and concerns.
5. Advocate for more funding for small businesses.
3. Write editorials pointing out how small business creates the jobs to drive an economy out of a recession.
6. Interview political leaders. Ask them why they're not providing more support, removing more barriers to small businesses and startups.
7. Allow guest columns from leaders in innovation. Innovation creates new products and markets that require new companies with new jobs.
8. Push for more transparency and accountability in any bailouts. Demand to see the jobs those funds will create.
9. Host job fairs. Maybe at this point, it's unemployment fairs, but get people together and talk and share ideas. (You're looking for reasons to bring people to your paper...)
Mainstream media: You're looking for readers. Your readers, and those in your community, are looking for jobs and the companies that are creating them. We're all looking for solutions. I think there's a match, here.
