Paper promotes print edition on Web

The Orlando Sentinel is making big changes to its print edition. And it is promoting it here on the web. Starting this Sunday, readers will get to touch and feel a completely new print version — and the paper is doing a great job of creating the “buzz” via its website.

According to an article in Editor & Publisher, here are some of the noted changes:

• More graphics and visual, “Expect to see more stories told from a visual perspective, helping better explain issues with the use of graphics, charts and maps.”

• Right to the Point: “Many of our stories will be broken down into clear sections – told in ways that are exciting and easier to understand.”

• Mindful of Your Time: “…we have a scannable digest of news on our front page, plus quick 60-second briefings about news from around the world and around the region.”

• Visual Cues: “to help you find top news, key columnists, and your favorite features.”

• Blogs – “Look on Page 2 of our sections for the latest on orlandosentinel.com bloggers.”

This is an awesome marketing strategy–yet another example of the marrying of the web and print editions. They are both the lifeblood of thriving newspapers in today’s marketplace. Some readers of older generations will never log on to read the paper–they will continue to purchase the hard copies. But as primarily a reader of online news (although on weekends I enjoy print editions), I was excited as I checked out the coming changes. As a result of this online “buzz,” I’d pick up a hard copy on Sunday if I was in Orlando, just to see it for myself.