The business model for most niche services remains embryonic. Virtually all remain free to Web surfers. Newspaper managers only now woo advertisers, though some boast such auspicious backers as Valvoline, a sponsor of Indianpolis' auto-racing site. But for many, the priority remains developing the services. By keeping the staff tight and keeping our reach within reason, we can reach the path to profitability sooner.
Some publishers look to their print products for answers.
Some publishers build on long histories of coverage, as Florida Today does with three decades of space reporting. Others seize opportunities to build niches that may not automatically fall to newspapers. Rockhall's authors defend that foothold fiercely, extending their brand into the wired world. Newspapers' on-line managers have long argued the importance of providing wired readers content beyond the print edition. That goes double for niches.