Most people would think that traditional print newspapers delivered through a traditional postal service are becoming a thing of the past but not necessarily so in the community of Gowrie in southwest Webster County, Iowa. They are combining paper and digital online products to reach a broader audience and relying on broadband to create, process and distribute their content.
"The Gowrie News has coverage beyond just the local community of Gowrie," states Rick Vinsand, Owner and Editor of The Gowrie News. Rick and his wife, Julie, purchased the newspaper in 2017 and have increased coverage of local and school district events throughout the county. Much to the delight of subscribers, area readers can find photos, results and articles of various school and community events.
Purchasing the local newspaper added to their existing publications such as FarmWorx and RoadWorx magazines and other print projects. With so many publications going out they have multiple daily deadlines to keep on schedule. "Our broadband signal is crucial in order for us to meet our deadlines. We're so fortunate to have Webster-Calhoun as our broadband partner. They provide us with excellent and reliable service and we trust them with our business." adds Vinsand.
Their operation requires a quality and reliable broadband connection because everything is completed online. Starting at the point of sale, all of their accounting is shared directly with their bookkeepers electronically. Composition and paste up is done digitally and emailed back and forth between the editors, writers and graphic designers. They can provide proofs to clients, upload images to social media and correspond with customers.
"Actually the digital publication is viewed before our newspaper is printed. The concept of digital publications is more common today than it's ever been and all of our publications are digital," adds Vinsand. "Even subscribers rely on Internet to quickly load the content. They can pick up their cell phone, ipad or notebook at any time and read our newspaper. If our customer is reading the online newspaper and can't 'turn the page' that creates frustration."
"We're so fortunate to have WCCTA as our broadband partner. They provide us with excellent service."
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV and Internet service to 16 rural communities on a Fiber driven network just outside the Fort Dodge, Iowa area: Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Somers, Moorland, Knierim, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, and Duncombe. www.wccta.net WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: the Rural Broadband Association.