Fun fact: Local news network TAPinto and Nieman Lab share a birthday (month)!
We were both founded in October 2008, in a moment of trepidation and excitement about possibilities for news on the internet. Two years before, in 2006, BuzzFeed had been established; in 2007, the first iPhone had been released; and the same year our respective outlets launched, social media helped bring Obama to the White House.
Mike Shapiro founded TAPinto in 2008 as “an all-online local newspaper” for his hometown at the time, New Providence, NJ, and for two neighboring towns, according to the Local Media Association. In its early years, TAPinto competed with Patch, which was then owned by AOL. Following significant layoffs at Patch, Shapiro saw an opening to expand TAPinto to other communities.
In 2013, TAPinto converted to a franchise model for local news: Franchisees operate on the same platform and can share content, and sell one another advertising, giving local outlets a collective scale that would be virtually impossible to achieve alone. Today, more than 15 years later, TAPinto counts nearly 100 local organizations, including local news outlets and digital marketing platforms, across four states within its network. Beyond New Jersey, franchisees operate TAPinto sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
TAPinto CEO Shapiro has said he sees the franchise model as a viable way to support local news in communities that might otherwise be news deserts. In his view, providing backend support makes local news franchisees’ work more manageable and lowers the barrier to entry for creating a news outlet from scratch. More recently, though, he’s zeroed in on an opportunity he sees to support existing publishers who need help with tech and their backend, but want more branding flexibility than the franchise model provides.
In May, TAPinto announced an addition and alternative to its franchising model: a licensing option called the Hyperlocal News Network. Under a licensing model, news outlets have more branding autonomy but can still benefit from being part of the same network, and CMS platform, as the franchisees.
“There are…hundreds, if not thousands, of existing publishers who are really struggling with their digital presence and would benefit from our technology and back office services, yet want to keep their own branding,” Shapiro told me in an email. “Our license model enables them to do just that.”
The model includes à la carte “back office services” like graphic design support, media liability insurance, a customer relationship management system, and contracting software — the kinds of services that can be a heavy lift, operationally and financially, for lean local outlets to figure out themselves. The Hyperlocal News Network plans to add HR services “soon,” Shapiro added.
The program requires a one-time $1,000 “start-up fee” and costs $750 per month after that — similar to Newspack’s pricing for its smallest publisher customers by annual revenue. Shapiro noted that the Hyperlocal News Network is a fundamentally different offering from the WordPress.com-affiliated Newspack. TAPinto’s publishers are typically based in smaller communities and “usually have more modest revenue goals,” he said.
Shapiro also views the new licensing program as “a match for media outlets that would benefit from an enhanced digital presence, additional digital revenue streams, and/or the content and sales collaboration inherent in our platform.” These could include types of outlets ranging from weekly print newspapers, to local and regional magazines, to local radio or TV stations, hyperlocal sites, or “publications for particular audiences,” he said.
The Hyperlocal News Network remains small for now. TAPinto announced a licensing partnership with NJ-based business publication Commerce Magazine in March, before the new program formally launched. Beyond that outlet, Halston Media Group, whose New York newspapers were previously TAPinto franchisees, comprises the other six member outlets of the Hyperlocal News Network.
Shapiro’s vision for the local network’s future is ambitious. Since TAPinto franchisee and Hyperlocal News Network licensee partners are all on the same platform, Shapiro hopes to build “what will eventually be the largest collaborative network of independent publishers in the country,” he said.
597 comments:
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post.
Many thanks for providing these details.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade methods with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
Alpha bites reviews
I think this is one of the most significant info for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things,
The web site style is wonderful, the articles is
really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
Here is my web-site: hinototo
Hi there to every one, as I am in fact eager of
reading this blog’s post to be updated on a regular basis.
It consists of good data.
Feel free to surf to my page toto macau
Fitspresso
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Appreciate it
I think what you composed was actually very logical.
But, what about this? suppose you added a little information? I ain’t suggesting your content isn’t solid., however what if you added something that makes
people desire more? I mean blog topic is a little plain. You
ought to glance at Yahoo’s front page and watch how they
create article titles to get people interested. You might add a video or a related picture or two to grab people interested about everything’ve got to say.
In my opinion, it could make your website
a little livelier.
Here is my blog post – fishgeeks.org
Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not appear to get one thing done.
I got what you intend, thanks for putting up.Woh I am delighted to find this website through google. “Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write.
The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.
Sweet web site, super style and design, very clean and use pleasant.
I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting.
Lipozem
Loving the information on this internet site, you have done great job on the articles.
Mitolyn review
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve
my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Mitolyn
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specifically the last part :) I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
MITOLYN REVIEWS
As I website owner I believe the content here is very wonderful, appreciate it for your efforts.
What i do not understood is actually how you are not actually a lot more smartly-liked than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably when it comes to this topic, produced me in my opinion imagine it from so many various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated except it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. All the time care for it up!
Mitolyn review
I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative site.
Hello.This article was really interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this matter last Tuesday.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more
often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Superb work!
Thanks, I have just been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve came upon so far. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to the supply?
As I website possessor I think the subject matter here is rattling fantastic, thanks for your efforts.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
I enjoy your piece of work, regards for all the good posts.
Great awesome things here. I?¦m very satisfied to see your article. Thank you a lot and i’m taking a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some
content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!
Here is my webpage win90
I’m also commenting to make you understand of the brilliant experience my wife’s child obtained reading your web site. She came to find a lot of pieces, with the inclusion of how it is like to possess an ideal helping spirit to make others completely know precisely specified multifaceted issues. You undoubtedly surpassed visitors’ expected results. Thanks for rendering these essential, safe, informative and also easy guidance on this topic to Sandra.
There are some fascinating deadlines on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There is some validity however I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as nicely
I precisely desired to appreciate you all over again. I do not know what I would have followed in the absence of those ways shown by you directly on such problem. It was actually a real daunting problem in my view, however , witnessing a new professional manner you resolved that made me to leap with gladness. Now i am thankful for this information and even hope that you really know what a great job your are accomplishing instructing others via a web site. Most probably you’ve never encountered all of us.
I carry on listening to the reports speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?
My wife and i got now cheerful Chris could conclude his web research through the precious recommendations he received from your very own weblog. It’s not at all simplistic just to continually be releasing tips and tricks which often some other people may have been making money from. Therefore we grasp we’ve got the website owner to be grateful to because of that. The most important explanations you have made, the straightforward blog menu, the friendships you will help to create – it’s most fantastic, and it’s really helping our son in addition to the family believe that that issue is fun, which is seriously serious. Thanks for the whole lot!
Respect to website author, some excellent selective information.
I discovered your blog site on google and examine a number of of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the superb operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking forward to reading extra from you later on!…
I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
If some one wants to be updated with newest technologies then he must
be pay a visit this site and be up to date daily.
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?
Very interesting details you have noted, regards for putting up.
This site is known as a walk-by means of for the entire info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll undoubtedly discover it.
keep up the fantastic work, I read few content on this internet site and I believe that your site is really interesting and has sets of wonderful info .
Trackbacks:
Leave a comment