So you do computer-assisted reporting at your news organization and you've decided that with all the spare time on your hands, you might as well start an in-house newsletter to spread the CAR gospel to the rest of the newsroom? Great. You've joined a handful of other newsrooms. Even with a limited amount of time, you can produce a CAR newsletter that is both practical and inspirational. Here are some tips on creating CAR newsletters. CAR enthusiasts sent in some tips, while I culled others from reading newsletters.
For some examples of in-house newsletters, including Car Talk, Byte Me and Mouse Droppings, check out www.kricar.com.
This-Is-How-I-Did-It articles
The best way to provide both practical advice and inspiration is the TIHIDI article the This-Is-How-I-Did-It piece. Uplink is chock full of TIHIDI articles, and for good reason. Such pieces show how you can replicate the story in your area and help you brainstorm. And the articles offer the Wow factor: "Wow, it's amazing what you can do with computer-assisted reporting."
Even with a limited amount of time, you can produce a CAR newsletter that is both practical and inspirational.
Even a small in-house newsletter should contain at least one TIHIDI article. And the best part is that you can delegate this task: Ask other staff members to write articles describing how they wrote a CAR story. If you're part of a chain, ask other reporters in your chain to contribute.
The piece should briefly describe the CAR story, indicate what software was used, what databases were analyzed and how they were obtained. A box accompanying the story should list some of the key fields in the database. If CAR reporting is quite active in your newsroom, run a roundup of CAR stories.
CAR Q&A
Answer questions that reporters submit to the newsletter. Or if you help out another reporter in person, turn the help session into a Q&A for the newsletter.
Software Tips
Microsoft Excel and Access are the most commonly used software tools in CAR. Focus on those products initially, starting with simple tips: subtotals, importing data from HTML documents, etc.
Don't let 'em lose it
You know how easy it is to lose something amidst the mounds of papers on a reporter's desk. So, Jennifer LaFleur, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recommends printing the newsletter on obnoxiously bright paper, so it won't get lost in the shuffle. In her previous job in San Jose, she gave out binders for reporters to store tip sheets and copies of the newsletter.
Point out CAR resources
Highlight useful Web sites for finding anything from phone numbers to government data. What databases does your news organization have? Focus on a few, listing possible story ideas. List CAR resources reporters can turn to, including possibly yourself. Does your news organization offer training in Microsoft Excel or Access? List the schedule of classes. Or hold some classes yourself. Also point out books or videos on CAR software. Do you have tech-support people who can answer questions about software? If so, point reporters in their direction (and save yourself some time.)
Highlight Math Tips
Include tips on calculating percentage change, per-capita rates inflation adjustments, etc.
How often to publish
Janet Roberts of the St. Paul Pioneer Press went from writing all of the articles to relying almost entirely on contributions from reporters, tech-support staff librarians. Even so, she publishes just once a quarter because she "found it impossible to find the time to produce it more often than that," indicating just how time-consuming a newsletter can be.
See how long it takes to produce your first newsletter to gauge how often you'd like to issue your newsletter.
Let's face it. Writing about Excel can be boring. But if your newsletter is fun to read, more people will get through it. Even fun graphics you can pull from clip art liven up the page.
Online versions
Provide a paper edition and online edition, if possible. Remember to include links for data and Web sites related to the story.
Richard Dalton can be reached by e-mail at rdalton@newsday.com