The hardest part of a shift from a print-first mindset to a web-first mindset at a newspaper is getting a consistent workflow set up. When we switched to web-first at The Gargoyle, we had to develop a plan on how we were going to get a regular flow of copy and multimedia content through the staff to the Web site.
In print-first newsroom, it’s simple. Your reporter or writer sends in his or her story, the photographer sends in his or her images, the editor fixes it and design staff lays out the print edition. At each spot along the way, somebody has to give something to somebody else.
In the web-first newsroom, it’s a bit more difficult. The reporters, writers, editors, photographers and design staff members often double or triple in other roles. When making the switch, which you should already be doing, outline each person’s specific roles and hold your staff to their responsibilities.
As for the specific content, have designated places for each step of the “newsroom process” for the digital files to go.
At The Gargoyle, I set up a “Copyflow” folder with three steps:
- To Sections. When a reporter’s stories come in, section editors put the word documents in there.
- To Editors. When section editors are done with the copy, they put it here so the managing editor and co-editors in chief can look at it.
- To Publish. After the managing editor or one co-editor in chief proofs the copy, it goes here for any last revisions before publishing online.
Also, two more folders are in the “Copyflow,” system: a “Published” folder for copy after it’s published and a “Spiked” folder for stuff that doesn’t make it through the editing process.
I also set up a “Photoflow” and “Multimediaflow” based on the same process.
Following these guidelines, or something similar, will dramatically help the switch to web-first.
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