North Carolina newspapers are an effective means of obtaining current news and other information for your business. They are packed with information on real estate and can provide insight into the attitude of North Carolina residents toward your business and the market for your products and services.

Newspapers in NC also represent an opportunity to announce any news related to the move or establishment of your business, or new products you might be introducing. Benefit from this by advertising with display ads or in the classified section, or give an interview to a local business reporter. Specialty, or niche, publications also allow you to promote your business to a focused audience.

An NC newspaper will almost certainly have a website. You can do the following with North Carolina newspapers online:

1. Research real estate listings in different areas of North Carolina to find the best location for your business.

2. Use the search features on the website of a North Carolina newspaper to display all of the articles on a particular event in chronological order so you can track the story as it unfolds.

3. Get informed on current events from many different cities without a subscription. Most newspaper websites offer free registration.

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

Take advantage of the reach of major daily NC newspapers

These newspapers are frequently known as 'state' papers because their coverage includes the entire state. A metropolitan paper may have bureaus in other cities and can provide a great depth of information because of their large staffs and many resources. State papers also usually have the most comprehensive NC obituaries. Because of their statewide circulation, major metro daily newspapers offer an opportunity to advertise your business to the largest audience.

I recommend: The Charlotte Observer is one of the largest newspapers in North Carolina. The News & Record is in Greensboro and is also a major North Carolina newspaper.

Use smaller daily and non-daily newspapers for local NC news and promotion

Daily and weekly newspapers in smaller communities focus on local news such as church events and Little League scores that a publication with a larger North Carolina newspaper circulation tends to ignore. Reach a local audience by advertising in a daily or non-daily publication, or buy and sell used office equipment through their classifieds.

I recommend: The Herald-Sun in Durham is a mid-size daily paper that focuses on community information. The Mountain Times keeps the residents of Boone informed on local events on a weekly basis.

Target your advertising in specialty North Carolina newspapers

Most major cities have some type of entertainment newspaper, business journal or other niche publication that caters to a specific interest. These papers also may have blogs that can give a personal view of life in that community. If you're looking to increase your business network or promote your business to a specific group of readers, a niche publication may be the approach you need.

I recommend: The Charlotte Business Journal reports on business events in Charlotte. The Mountain Xpress covers the arts, independent news and other events in Asheville.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider the advertising rates North Carolina newspapers charge for advertising a small business. The ad rates are usually less at a smaller, local newspaper than for a metropolitan paper and your audience is more likely to live near your business location.
• •  Read a local business journal for news that may be directly pertinent to your business. These types of North Carolina newspapers contain news on business mergers and acquisitions, marketing trends and stock prices. You can also use the resources in business journals to find sales leads.