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Bringing the ‘community’ back into community newspaper

I’m feeling energized, invigorated, and recharged this week.
29212480_web1_Kevin-Sabo-head-shot_1
(File photo)

I’m feeling energized, invigorated, and recharged this week.

Last week, I, along with the rest of the Black Press central Alberta newspaper editorial team, met in Red Deer for a full day of staff training.

While I had communicated with all of my colleagues online in the several months I have been working full time in Stettler, it was the first time I had met a couple of them in person.

The human connection was definitely awesome, as was the theme of the day.

During the first part of the day we discussed building our audience and gaining followers through our social media channels. In the afternoon we discussed streamlining processes that will allow us more time to write more engaging content therefore making it worthwhile for readers to check in.

All-in-all, the day left me motivated, engaged, and wanting to take my work to the next level.

Speaking of building audience, Black Press central Alberta has recently launched a weekly opt-in newsletter which brings the top stories of the region to your email in-box.

You can sign up for the newsletter on either the Castor Advance or Stettler Independent websites.

Black Press and I are striving to make the Stettler and Castor papers the go-to sources for national, provincial, and local content.

For national and provincial content both papers get content from the Canadian Press and our other regional publications, such as the Red Deer Advocate.

For local content I am working the phone and pounding the pavement everyday; working to bring both communities worthwhile local content.

Unfortunately, I run into two problems.

First, if I don’t know about things, I am definitely unable to cover them.

If readers have anything they feel would be of editorial interest, feel free to reach out to me at kevin.sabo@blackpress.ca and let me know what is going so I can try and make arrangements to have the event the covered.

Second, until I can figure out how to clone myself, I can’t be everywhere.

For events that I can’t make it out to, I am always happy to run photos and information if they are provided to me at the same email address.

At the end of the day, both the Independent and the Advance are community newspapers, and I want to bring the community back into them.

Reach out any time via email or call me at the office at 403-742-2395.

Also, don’t forgot about the photo contest the publications are running with prizes to be won!



Kevin Sabo

About the Author: Kevin Sabo

I’m Kevin Sabo. I’ve been a resident of the Castor area for the last 12 years and counting, first coming out here in my previous career as an EMT.
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