Taking time to assess strategies for 2012

This is a good time of year to be thinking about 2012 - and about 2015 and 2020.

The variety of new business models to keep larger local media companies profitable and competetitive is still forming - and reforming. This week's case study on NewOrleans.com explores one business model that most local media do not think about: Travel products, that is, directly selling hotel rooms, golf reservations and attractions online (a guide to getting started is here).

This is not model that applies in all markets, but some, both small and large, have overlooked a significant opportunity for transactional revenues from a new source. 
Once the programs are set up, the cost of sale is very low.

Other emerging strategies, include selling marketing tools and services - not advertising. Next week's case studies includes how to package social media, mobile and search as a service; all of which rely on critical third party technology partnerships you may not have even known about. 

Meanwhile, to be as informed as possible about products and services advertisers want in your market,  survey your  advertisers.  Borrell supplies a relatively inexpensive survey, and we have also included a very basic "ten questions" that you can simply plug into Survey Monkey and send. 

And finally, don't forget to include LocalMediaInsider in next year's budget so we can continue to facilitate peer-sharing of best practices and competitive trends from around the country.