And a willingness to change. “One participant told us this name suggests that ‘We’re on your side. We’re with you…It says that this is Oakland’s side of the story.'”
By gutting local advertising overnight, COVID-19 has accelerated strategies — like cutting print days, corporate consolidation, or even closing down offices — that publishers had hoped could wait a while longer.
“The grants will fund an organization’s first dedicated revenue positions, or grow an existing revenue team. Most will fund at least two new full-time positions for 24 months dedicated to revenue and fundraising.”
“For some [publishers], this program will be a way to get a check. Some of them are going to pick up some ideas and tips and that’s the end of it. For some of them, it’s truly transformational in how they operate.”
Berkeleyside, while a successful local news site, still doesn’t feel like it’s nailed the formula for sustainability. It’s latest effort: convincing its readers to invest — literally — in its future.
O'Donovan, Caroline. "Can Berkeleyside turn an engaged community into a profitable membership program?." Nieman Journalism Lab. Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 16 Feb. 2025.
APA
O'Donovan, C. (2014, Nov. 5). Can Berkeleyside turn an engaged community into a profitable membership program?. Nieman Journalism Lab. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://www.niemanlab.org/2014/11/can-berkeleyside-turn-an-engaged-community-into-a-profitable-membership-program/
Chicago
O'Donovan, Caroline. "Can Berkeleyside turn an engaged community into a profitable membership program?." Nieman Journalism Lab. Last modified November 5, 2014. Accessed February 16, 2025. https://www.niemanlab.org/2014/11/can-berkeleyside-turn-an-engaged-community-into-a-profitable-membership-program/.
Wikipedia
{{cite web
| url = https://www.niemanlab.org/2014/11/can-berkeleyside-turn-an-engaged-community-into-a-profitable-membership-program/
| title = Can Berkeleyside turn an engaged community into a profitable membership program?
| last = O'Donovan
| first = Caroline
| work = [[Nieman Journalism Lab]]
| date = 5 November 2014
| accessdate = 16 February 2025
| ref = {{harvid|O'Donovan|2014}}
}}