Web-based Niche News Sites
Web-based and Web-first niche news sites and networks
Screen shot of the MomsLikeMe Web site.
They are not the mass-media sites of metro newspapers, magazines, television or radio news. However, Web-based/Web-first niche sites started by traditional media organizations (e.g., Gannett's MomsLikeMe and Lawrence Journal-World's Lawrence.com or KUSports) are included.
Formats -- Range from blog (i.e., WordPress blog, Typepad blog, etc.) to complex content management system (Django, Drupal, Plone, etc.).
Funding -- Those marked with an *asterisk* are ad-supported (Marketwatch, WestSeattleBlog) in whole or part. Others are sponsored, funded (by self or others), or some combination. At least one is a syndicate that sells content to other news sites.
Coverage -- Contributors, owners, etc. do full- or part-time original reporting or edit others who are doing so. Sites provide regular or full-time coverage of identified niche.
Social networking -- Minimum is comments on posts. The maximum is integrating a social network into the site or network.
Examples:
*Glam Media -- About 1,100 publishers from fashion, beauty, living, celebrity & entertainment, lifestyle, health & wellness, shopping, teens & genY, men's lifestyle, tech and auto (the last three from the Brash Network, part of Glam Media). About 109 million unique visitors per month. Click here for a directory of publishers.
*TravelingMom.com -- Launched in 2005 by Kim Orlando. Former Chicago Tribune reporter Cindy Richards is editor.
*AlamoCityTimes -- Community blog about San Antonio, TX, Patricio Espinoza, publisher. Patricio@espimedia.com. This grew out of SA4Mayor.com, which covered the 2009 mayoral election.
*AnnArborChronicle -- About Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mary Morgan, publisher. Dave Askins, editor.
*BaristaNet -- Ad-supported, about Montclair, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield, N.J., launched in May 2004 by Debbie Galant and Liz George.
*BMoreNews.com -- Publisher: Donald Morton "Doni" Glover.
*The Batavian -- About Genesee County, New York, launched May 1, 2008 by GateHouse Media; Howard Owens, editor.
*CapitolHillSeattle -- Striving to be ad-supported, about Seattle, Washington's, Capitol Hill neighborhood, launched Spring 2008 by Justin Carder.
*Chestertown Spy -- Founded in 2009, the name comes from the town's first newspaper, launched in 1793. Dave Wheelan, publisher and editor. John Lang, managing editor.
ChiTownDailyNews -- Founded in 2005 by former Chicago Tribune reporter Geoff Dougherty, the site is foundation and reader supported.
*CoastSider -- Ad-supported, about coastal San Mateo County, California, launched in 2003 by Barry Parr.
*Exit133 -- About Tacoma, Washington, real estate, politics, the arts, urban development, launched in May 2005 by Derek Young.
*GetInLoop -- About southern Westchester County, N.Y., launched in 2008 by Polly Kreisman.
Gotham Gazette -- About the issues facing New York City, particularly sustainability, immigration, city and state governments, launched by Citizens Union Foundation of the City of New York. Mostly foundation-supported, plus some reader contributions and advertising.
*iBrattleboro -- About Brattleboro, VT. Launched in 2003.
InBerkeley -- Community site established by Lance Knobel and Dave Winer in 2009 for Berkeley, CA news, events and issues.
*Investigative Voice -- Founded in 2009 by former Baltimore Examiner reporters; Regina Holmes, editor-in-chief and content director. More info in OneMansBand post.
*Lake Effect News -- news source for Chicago’s north lakefront communities. Lorraine Swanson, editor and publisher.
*MinnPost -- About Minneapolis, MN. Launched in 2008, Joel Kramer, CEO and editor.
*New Haven Independent -- About New Haven, CT, funded by grants, reader donations, and some advertising.
Northfield.org -- About Northfield, MN, founded in 1991 and run by a volunteer organization.
*Pasadena Now -- About Pasadena, CA; launched in 2004 by James Macpherson and Candice Merrill.
*Paulding.com -- About Paulding County, Georgia.
*QuincyNews -- Ad-supported, about Quincy, Illinois, launched in April 2008 by Bob Gough.
*SDNN.com -- San Diego News Network was launched in March 2009 by Neil “Baby" Senturia, a San Diego technology entrepreneur. Its president is Chris Jennewein, who made SignOnSanDiego, the San Diego Union's quasi-independent Web site, the success that it is today. More info in this Forbes article.
*SFAppeal -- About San Francisco; covers news, culture/entertainment, business/tech/real estate, and food. According to its site, most all of the contributors work at other jobs. It participates in Six Apart's ad network.
Sommerville Voices -- Founded as a volunteer community-driven site in May 2007.
St. Louis Beacon -- About St. Louis, MO. Foundation-funded, it was launched in 2008. Broad coverage in four areas: issues/politics, health/science, arts & life, opinion. Margie Freivogel, editor, and 15 other paid staff members.
*SunValleyOnline -- About Sun Valley, ID; Tessa Sheehan, producer.
Voice of San Diego -- About San Diego. Launched in 2004 by Scott Lewis and Andrew Donohue; foundation- and donation-funded.
*Westport Now -- About Westport, CT. Launched in March 2003 by Gordon Joseloff, publisher and former reporter for CBS News.
*WestSeattleBlog -- Ad-supported, about the West Seattle neighborhood (pop. ~ 60,000) of Seattle, Washington, launched January 2006 by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand.
**For complete list of niche news sites click here