Post Visit: Growing Readership

The Washington Post has been proving news since the 1877, so it’s be able to successfully conform with time. Though they’ve been able to make it this far, journalism is currently faces, possibly, one of the most difficult times. But the Post has been able to develop and implement new ideas that are keeping their current readership as well as bring new readers in as well. The Post has also been incredibly adaptable, especially in what is attractive to the read and to social media viewers. Mobile Editor Mark Smith telling us that he tests out different headlines to see which works better proves that the Post is willing to be flexible and transform when needed.

The Post does such a good job of providing so much information on the homepage that it pulls a reader in. Under the date there is a vertical line that reads “In the News,” and beside it is the most recent or important stories at that time. It allows quick access recent news, it also attracts curiosity. It made me do a double take and caused me to check multiple articles on that line rather than skim the headlines for something to catch my eye.  

They also do a good job of photo placement throughout the homepage, if the headlines don’t catch you the photo does. Which correlates with what Smith was saying when they post articles on social media, images tend to gain the article more attention. So when you’re on the homepage and you see an image that piques your curiosity it’ll lead you to read the headline, then possibly the summary underneath, and then to read the article. At least that’s happened to me on multiple occasions. The Posts has other additions like their “Most Read’ stories, which similarly to the “In the News” provides a quick way to access the most relevant stories in that moment, and the Live Discussions they host through the live chats. It’s a way to engage readers and allow them to participate and contribute, which goes a long way in the age of social media where everyone can voice their opinions.    

While I am a fan of most elements the Post implements and use them as my major news source, I do feel like there is a disconnect between them and high school students or around that age group. I think that part of the appeal of getting news from social media is that it's quick and easier to comprehend. Some people would rather read a 140 character tweet  or 2 minute video than a 500 word article about a situation. Sometimes those small things on social media lead to articles for more information, but that interest needs to be drawn in. The Post does a good job with their images and headlines, but that sometimes isn’t enough. So videos like NowThis or a 60 second news recaps can really help fill that gap as well as bring more readers. But overall I think the Washington Post does a good job and it keeps evolving and surviving, so it's definitely doing something right.