Los Angeles

The Secrets of Reader Support

What happens when you let readers get involved w/ supporting a story? A hands-on workshop to create pitches for reader-supported journalism.

The first step in publishing a story is usually pitching it to your editor. But what happens when you let readers get involved with supporting a story, too?

This workshop will show how readers — not just the people controlling a publication’s budget — can make stories and investigations possible. We’ll share hands-on knowledge of how individual writers and publications can connect with readers, identify topics you and your audience are passionate about, and craft a compelling pitch for reader-supported journalism.

Writers and publications who readers have enabled to cover topics and write stories that would have otherwise been left on the shelf, as well as funding experts, will share tips and tricks from their experience asking for reader support. We’ll also answer questions about specific challenges to crowdfunding for journalists and how to overcome them.

This interactive workshop is aimed at both writers and publications with a story to tell. Participants will leave with a pitch for readers that is ready to be made public!

Diversity:

We will encourage writers and publications to craft pitches on topics that aren’t frequently covered in the media, but that are highly valued by readers. As a result, we expect to see pitches on a diverse array of topics that appeal to many different audiences.

We will also work to ensure that the speakers in this workshop come from diverse backgrounds and have experience in a variety of journalism platforms in different roles (as writers, freelancers, editors, or publishers), and who have written for different audiences. We will actively seek participants in the workshop who may not have previously considered reader-supported projects.

Speakers:

Tracie Powell | All Digitocracy | @TMPowell

Emily Ramshaw | The Texas Tribune | @eramshaw