Whether it's checking the latest newspaper circulation data or networking with other newspaper distribution companies, keeping up with the latest news and trends allows you to stay current in your profession. Creating new relationships, attending industry events and embracing the online newspaper world is key for managing and adapting your small business.

The newspaper business whether in print or online changes at a rapid pace. It is important to approach your business every day with the latest knowledge to be successful. Things to keep in mind when staying current on newspaper circulation and distribution news and trends:

1. Stay up to date on current events and industry news using the Internet.

2. Research the historic aspect of the newspaper circulation business to build a foundation of knowledge.

3. Read blogs by industry professionals for a personal perspective on the industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to industry magazines for the latest news in newspaper circulation services

Whether you are in newspaper circulation management, newspaper circulation supplies or just trying to keep track of changes in the printing and media industries, subscribing to trade magazines, whether in print or online is a must. Trade publications provide both news, trends, employment information and networking opportunities.

I recommend: Subscribe to Editor and Publisher from Nielson Business Media, for the latest media trends in print and online. The Associated Press website provides the latest news in media, newspaper circulation trends and news items. Bookmark this site for breaking industry news.

Research newspaper circulation figures and circulation history for a strong foundation

There are many online sources that provide both newspaper circulation data and a history of newspaper circulation information. Of course, the information is not current but knowing the history of the business is the best way to understand where it stands today and learn how to track and predict trends.

I recommend: The Newspaper Association of America is a great resource for newspaper history and circulation trends. They offer a library of newspaper related sources. The Free Library by Farlex has a great listing of articles relating to newspaper circulation.

Hook up with industry experts blogs for the latest on newspaper distribution services

Blogs and RSS feeds to blogs provide the one on one online experience when it comes to understanding trends in the news circulation business. The art and nuance of media changes daily and it may take a mentor, be it an online one, to help keep you ahead of the herd. Most blogs provide an expert opinion without an expert price.

I recommend: The Newspaper, Media News & Information blog written by a Marc Chamot, a newspaper distribution industry expert, offers professional insights for the newspaper circulation world. The Graphic Arts Online blog has an RSS feed you can subscribe to and offers professional opinion, blogs, newspaper rankings and forums for interacting with others in the newspaper circulation industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider joining an online chat or forum to discuss trends and news in newspaper circulation. You may find out something the big websites aren't covering.

Newspaper circulation information does not lie. There have been big changes in readership numbers reflecting changing habits. These changes require new thinking among the newspaper circulation management elite as the industry grapples with changes in independent newspaper circulation in the U.S. market as well as international newspaper circulation in the global market.

The explosion of information via the Internet has turned the independent newspaper circulation business on its ear. Other newspaper distribution companies also see shrinking inventories and a shrinking customer base. It has become a "global crisis" in eyes of businesses that track (and profit from) international newspaper circulation.

The global business community is changing the traditional newspaper circulation services. Fortunately, newspaper distribution companies, along with their affiliated newspaper distribution services, are keeping up with the changing tide. Here are some reasons why there is optimism for the survival of the newspaper circulation and distribution business:

1. The immediate availability of newspaper distribution supplies--no more waiting for reams of paper of gallons of ink.

2. Newspaper distribution services are more sophisticated than before and work hard to meet customers' ever-changing demands.

3. Newspaper circulation management is not sitting on its hands. It is reacting positively to changes in the newspaper circulation industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right independent newspaper circulation figures

Knowledge is power and newspaper circulation management is hungry. It is imperative that newspaper circulation data is up-to-date and readily available in order to make distribution changes on the fly.

I recommend: Keep a tab on the changing newspaper readership trends by visiting the website of the Newspaper Association of America. Be sure to take special note of the declining readership numbers since the early 1990s. For industry "scoops," log on to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Take a test drive on newspaper distribution software

Good newspaper distribution habits don't happen by accident. There is a purpose to implementing the right distribution strategies and that purpose begins with distribution software.

I recommend: Download Microsoft Dynamics SL for an eye-popping demonstration. Develop the most effective newspaper distribution services by creating distribution strategies from Infor Distribution.

Use the Web to your advantage with newspaper distribution services

If you can't beat the newspaper distribution system, then join it. Interactive media is the answer to keeping a high readership interest level while sharing information with Web technology.

I recommend: Combine your traditional newspaper circulation services with the high tech services like digital editions via the web like Pro Audio Review. Look beyond physical distribution of newspapers and into NewspaperDirect.com, which offers digital distribution via the web.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep abreast of newspaper circulation figures by selecting the best information web portals.
• •  Monitor web use against newspaper circulation to see which has a higher readership. It's better to focus your available cash flow on the service that has more readers.

Newspaper circulation and distribution is an old business which much learn to keep up with modern times. As many newspaper publishers now operate both an online and print version of their newspaper, it is essential to be aware of both traditional and print terminology to help with newspaper circulation and making the most of newspaper circulation supplies.

A lot goes into the printing, management and distribution of a newspaper and knowing the common lingo used by publication, advertising and printing both on and offline is a must. When it comes to the newspaper circulation industry, you should:

1. Understand that knowledge of advertising and publication terms is helpful to understanding the newspaper circulation business.
2. Track newspaper circulation data and online traffic to help understand the success of your newspaper distribution services.
3. Know that embracing online news blogs written by industry professional can help you stay ahead when it comes to the latest terminology.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand how publication, advertising and newspaper circulation termsare connected

Besides basic terms such as broadsheet (newspapers that are 17 by 22 inches) and tabloid (newspapers that are approximately 11 by 17 inches), knowing the classic news terms can only help improve your circulation by improving your network and newspaper professionalism. Newspapers deal in both retail and classified advertising, so a little ad lingo can only help.

I recommend: Newspapers in Education is designed for classroom use, but offers everyone a great overall understanding of basic newspaper terms. The U.S. Newspaper Program has a great database of the different genres of newspapers. PrintAdvertising.com provides a comprehensive list of advertising terminology with the printing process in mind.

Subscribe to online industry news to learn latest terms related to newspaper circulation

Circulation, the number of delivered and sold newspapers on the day of the publication, is different from distribution, which is the number of free newspapers given out. This is just an example of the many terms and industry language one must be acquainted with in today's media business. Online sites offer the latest terminology, names of new products, industry lingo and slang as well as important names in the circulation business.

I recommend: The Poynter Institute offers a newspaper industry column online which can be subscribed to by RSS feed or email, and in which you'll often find a discussion of new industry terminology. The Newspaper Association of America offers information on trends and industry job news, including new processes. Through both of these publications, you'll become well-acquainted with the newest terms of the business.

Learn terminology related to newspaper circulation information through blogs and feeds

Whether you are in newspaper circulation management or other newspaper circulation services, the newspaper circulation industry changes as fast as the headlines. By subscribing to newspaper related blogs and newspaper circulation-related RSS feeds, you can stay up to date on the latest lingo.

I recommend: Alan Mutter, former newspaper honcho, offers an industry insight blog called Reflections of a Newsosaur that offers professional reflections on the state of the newspaper circulation industry. It's a good place to pick up the basic key terms. Merandawrites.com is a personal blog written by young journalist, Meranda Watling, who works in both the print and online worlds. Her site offers the youth perspective on the newspaper circulation world from both sides of the fence, incorporating terms from both.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When dealing with international newspaper circulation,consider learning a few words of the local language or hiring a translator to help navigate the terms of the global newspaper industry.