There are many local news teams producing brilliant journalism who are fast approaching their final “lights out” moment. If you clicked on this story, you probably already knew that.

You probably also don’t need me to tell you that, despite strong competition for attention from digital giants, a replacement for the role we play in society has yet to be found. When a town has its own newspaper, it has an organised and accountable watchdog to safeguard the rights of citizens, celebrate good news, and facilitate debate. Without local journalism, communities risk losing a vital part of their identity and democratic transparency.

The cruellest irony is that big tech knows this, and can confirm that local news performs particularly well on their platforms. Richard Gingras, Vice President of Google News, told me: "People want to know and influence things close to them. Serving local residents is the most important thing local media can do."

If we are to adapt and survive in a digital age, there are two non-negotiable tasks for our newsrooms to fulfil:

1. We must become experts in identifying needs in our community that are not being met.
2. We must consistently produce the most reliable possible journalism about those needs.

Outside of these two maxims, every other idea presented here must be tested and adapted to see if it helps or hurts the profitability of local news in your community. Do you really need a weekend team, or are those resources better used Mondays to Fridays, as Mari Markkanen at Uutisvuoksi newspaper found? Should you halt print altogether, or is there still a possible revenue stream there, as Anni Rodriguez at Karjalainen has found?

Here is a summary of seven ideas that might meet additional needs in your locality, as well as seven ways AI might help you compete. Find more information for all 14 points in the PDF below.

Collate or aggregate public data

This can include weather forecasts, event calendars, traffic information, and more. The key is to use technology to gather and present this data in a way that is easily accessible and useful for readers. This approach not only provides valuable information but also positions the local news outlet as a one-stop source for all essential community updates.

Rethink your advertising pipeline

Local news sites have the unique advantage of appealing to local businesses, whose advertisements are more relevant and interesting to the audience. This requires a tailored approach to selling advertising space and potentially assisting local businesses in crafting their digital strategies. Local business advertisements are especially interesting to readers and can significantly boost both the news outlet's and local businesses' visibility and success.

Commission user-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful tool for local news. By encouraging readers to submit videos, photos, essays, or other content, news outlets can increase engagement and foster a sense of community. For instance, a local newspaper could run a video contest for readers or invite entries for the best local short documentaries. UGC initiatives not only engage the audience but also provide fresh and diverse content for the publication.

Introduce award programmes

Introducing award programmes is another innovative idea. These can range from recognising the best local businesses to celebrating community heroes. Such initiatives can foster community spirit and engagement while providing additional revenue streams through entry fees and sponsorships. For example, a local media website could serve as a platform for a local awards strategy, charging a small entrance fee to judge, for example, best restaurant, or a sponsored event to award Citizen of the Year. This not only highlights local achievements but also strengthens the community's connection to the local news outlet.

Add serialised wellbeing tools

A daily notification for a stretching break, positive reinforcement, meditation, breathing exercise, or exercise challenge can provide users with daily reasons to engage with the news app. This type of content is easily created and pre-programmed and can significantly enhance user engagement. This also offers excellent opportunities for brand partnerships with local gyms, spas, or major wellness brands.

Think about games

Mobile gaming has become increasingly popular and can help create daily visitors who stay for the news. Developing simple yet engaging games can attract a dedicated audience. Experiments by the New York Times and Helsingin Sanomat have shown that mobile gaming can help create daily visitors and be as valuable to readers as the news itself. Leveraging the appeal of games can be an innovative way to maintain reader interest and engagement.

Create services that foster community

Local media can play a crucial role in fostering community spirit by introducing features that encourage social interaction and collaboration among residents. This could include community boards, local event listings, and platforms for neighbourhood support. By focusing on community needs and facilitating connections, local news outlets can strengthen their role as essential hubs of local life.

Seven ways AI might help local news

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms is expanding rapidly, providing numerous opportunities to enhance local journalism. Here are seven ways AI might help local news:

1. Searching for content: AI can collect leads from social media, identify trends, and collate new data sources, providing journalists with valuable information quickly.

2. Document analysis: AI can assist in analysing extensive public documents, helping journalists structure information and produce summaries for quick scanning.

3. Translation into different languages: AI can facilitate the translation of articles into multiple languages, broadening the audience reach.

4. Creating social media content: AI can turn a single news story into engaging posts for various social media platforms, optimising posting times and flagging comments that require human intervention.

5. Newsletters: AI can compile draft newsletters and personalise them for specific audience profiles, enhancing engagement and relevance.

6. Comment moderation: AI can moderate reader comments, improving the quality of discussions and easing the workload on editors.

7. Content conversion: AI can convert content into various formats (audio, video, summary, infographic) based on reader preferences, enhancing accessibility and engagement.

Conclusion

The survival and flourishing of local news depend on its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its audience while maintaining high journalistic standards. By generating relevant local content, leveraging technology, and fostering community engagement, local news outlets can remain indispensable to their readers.

As we navigate the challenges of the digital age, I hope these strategies – outlined in detail in the PDF below – provide inspiration for creating vibrant, resilient local journalism that truly serves its community.

Implementing these strategies will require collaboration between journalists, media owners, and the community. By staying attuned to the needs and preferences of the audience, local news can not only survive but thrive in the digital era.