David Cohn - Director www.Spot.us
Crowdfunding your Investigative Reporting
Tips and advice on effective freelancing
Funding Options for Journalists
Personal debt (totally sucks)
Web advertising (mere pennies)
Large foundations (long and torturous)
Sponsorships (selling out?)
News organization buys content (dying off)
Crowdfunding (not easy - but can be done).
Best of times, worst of times
Production cost down
Distribution cost down
Civic engagement up
Crowdfunding up
Social networks up
More content than ever
Content assumed to be free commodity
Old revenue streams dying
Mistrust of professional journalism.
Good Not so good
What do you mean “crowdfunding”
Obama
ReelChanges.org
Kiva.org
DonorsChoose.org
Indiegogo.com
Prosper.com
and .... Spot.Us!!!
For more on micro-philanthropy,
check out blog.socialactions.com.
com/
“Forming a network of people who will distribute the cost
and commission a journalist to look into an issue they all
agree is important.
How to fundraise on Spot.Us
Sell the story - journalists are natural storytellers.
Pre-report: obvious mastery of a subject is appealing
Explain your deliverables - what will you produce?
Justify the cost - explain the work you’ll put in.
Be personal - they are investing in you too.
Actions speak louder - Get started on a blog and link.
FIRST: Define The Investigation
The “Community” in “Community Funded Reporting”
Identify target audience.
Partner with influential civic organizations, nonprofits, local bloggers, news organizations. (There is no such thing as a competitor).
Personal emails and phone calls can be huge.
Social networks - Facebook, Digg, Meetup, Twitter, Ning, etc.
Be creative and have fun with this part. You are now working for the public - and they love you for it.
Forming a Network of Supporters
Rock on!!!!
Not every pitch will be successful - but the cost of trying is very low.
The more you position yourself as working for the public - the more likely they will trust and fund your next investigation.
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