We're about to go over every inch of this newspaper with a fine-tooth comb, and we're inviting you to join us.
A few weeks ago, our staff decided to redesign the Wadena Pioneer Journal. Redesigns take two forms in the newspaper industry. The first is the freshening up of the look, replacing tired fonts with more modern ones, employing a few new design tricks to present the information we have in a slightly different way.
The second type is the total overhaul. It's more of a rethinking than a redesign. Newspaper staff examine every inch of the paper -- every section, every columnist, every package of news briefs. The individual parts of the newspaper are scrutinized, and made to sink or swim on their own merits.
The first type usually takes a few weeks, and makes everyone at the newspaper feel a little better about the product. The second type takes many months, and makes everyone at the newspaper want to strangle each other because of the endless disagreements and competing proposals. It's cathartic and messy, but in the end, a new newspaper emerges, and everyone is as proud of it as a newborn baby.
We are, of course, doing the second type.
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A national design expert, speaking at the Minnesota Newspaper Convention last week, suggested the very first step in the process of a major redesign is gathering data. That's where you, the reader, come in.
In upcoming issues of the Pioneer Journal, you'll see a survey about what you like about the paper, what you dislike, and what you'd change if you had the chance. If you care about the paper, you'll be doing us a big favor by taking a few moments and sharing your thoughts. If you really care, you'll photocopy it and give it to someone who doesn't even read the paper. We want everyone's view, and you can be sure your voices will carry a lot of weight. Some of the survey will be multiple choice, but other sections will ask you to write out exactly how you feel. Everything you share will be carefully considered as we rethink the newspaper.
But it need not be anything that formal. Already, we've gathered letters or just passing comments from readers about what they'd like to see. Whether it's a complaint about when your paper arrives, or a request to add weather data we've run from years before, your feedback will be invaluable to us.
We're preparing that survey right now. When you see it, please take a moment to fill it out. You don't need to include your name -- we want the cold, hard truth.
You'll be helping to build the new Pioneer Journal.
