Seminars educating local merchants about social media are by far the most effective method of signing up merchants to new, in-house digital services offerings. Here's how to hold a great workshop, including how to market it, where to hold it, what to cover, a sure-fire way to get attendees to stay and sign up for a follow-up appointment, countdown planning calendar and workshop checklist - all from a media partner that has held workshops for 5000+ merchants. more

One viable option to start-up selling in-house digital services is using a turnkey provider. A number of advantages include speed-to-market with a rounded group of services and products, in-marketing training and hosting of workshops and the ability to create a true "needs-based" approach right away. This case study shows how one small marketing company, Kenosha News in Kenosha, Wisconseom, population 100,000, has deployed a turnkey partnership. Included: Pricing and packaging, vendor used, components offered and results to-date, $25,000 in new monthly revenues. more

MediaProwler, a company formed by the Washington Suburban Press Network, was named one of the fasted growing private companies by Inc. Magazine in 2011. Today the association generates $150,000 each month in email marketing list rentals and services for advertisers across the U.S. Here's how the company put together its program, including acquiring opt-in lists, rental policies, pricing and packaging, and partnership opportunities for other media groups. more

The McClatchy Company is a digital leader and the latest to launch a digital services agency. Branded as ImpresLOCAL, the agency uses some of the media's existing competencies as well as adding new services. This case study includes products and services with third party vendors, pricing and packaging, go-to-market sales strategy and early results. more

Small local events are among the most interested in print ads - and increasingly underserved by shrinking the shrinking news hole. This creates a revenue opportunity for local media who can create an promote self-serve channels for events. This case study looks at how the Cleveland Plain Dealer monetized its formerly free events listings, including pricing and packaging, promotions, platforms used, dates run and results to date. Suggestions for other self-serve and distribution options are included. more

NextMedia 360 is the name of Next Media Group's interactive services division for 40 plus radio and outdoor properties across the U.S. This case study looks at how the division was put together, core products offered, platforms and technology partners, corporate staffing and selling organization, products and pricing. Included are results so far and lessons learned. Essential reading for local media considering how to offer digital services. more

This 30,000 circulation daily newspaper is projected to earn $42,000 annual incremental revenue after creating a home-grown database that has opted-in to 25 categories of information. Here's a step-by-step analysis of how to grow targeted emails and monetize the program with upsells to advertisers. more

For local media building engagement with key audiences, such as young families, live streaming high school sports is an inexpensive option. The Houston Herald found that this initiative had the most community response of all their digital initiatives. Here's a step by step "how to" for live streaming high school sports on a budget, including the software and hardware required, finding announcers and selling advertising. more

ABC27TV in Harrisburg, Pa. launched what may be the first web-based local app store of its kind in July by-passing the iTunes. The company is able to create and sell custom apps to local merchants and promote them on the AppsolutelyPa. Here's how it works, packaging ideas, technology partner, costs, and results so far. more

A few local media companies have developed browser-based apps that bypass the Apple store. This technology allows media to go direct to users and let them save an app to the home screen - without the Apple store download. The Columbia Daily Tribune put this approach into action with their first iPad app. This report looks at how they did it, advantages and disadvantages of the technology, screen shots and a URL to see how the app works from a desktop browser, ad unit strategy and more. more