Unlocking impact: Empowering statewide newsrooms in voter engagement

July 10, 2024

A virtual series for statewide newsrooms looking to create or improve their voter and election guides, explore new audience engagement strategies, and connect among organizations doing similar work

July 10, 2024

The Lenfest Institute’s Statewide News Collective and the News Revenue Hub hosted a series on how statewide news organizations can elevate voter engagement strategies. From transforming voter guides, to exploring content partnerships, and navigating post-election engagement, the sessions were designed to help participants foster meaningful connections with diverse communities across your state. Whether you’re looking to enhance SEO practices or engage non-English speakers and rural voters, this series offers actionable insights to maximize your impact at every stage of the electoral process.

Resources

• Slides: Everything you need to know about voter guides
• Voter guide repository
• Hub’s guide to voter guides

• GovPack: Contact Erica Peterson at [email protected]
• Knight Election Hub
  • Apply for research desk help here.
• TurboVote
• ElectUp
• Sunlight Search – upcoming training sessions on candidate backgrounding and research desk help to support your reporting.
  • Apply for newsroom training here.
• Session 2 breakouts: Strategies for engaging diverse audiences
• Session 3: Post-election coverage roadmaps
  • Free template
• Download News Revenue Hub’s 2024 guide to voter guides

Session overviews

Session 1: Elevating Your Voter Guides | July 30, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

The News Revenue Hub will introduce their comprehensive “Guide to Voter Guides” resource. Together, we’ll reimagine traditional approaches to voter guides and delve into strategies for maximizing their impact beyond election cycles. Learn effective techniques for boosting visibility through SEO, optimizing audience engagement post-publishing, and leveraging best practices in back-linking.

Session 2: Content Partnerships and Distribution Methods | August 13, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

Explore effective strategies for engaging diverse audiences with content partnerships and distribution methods. Learn how peer statewide newsrooms engage non-English speakers, reach young voters, and connect with rural communities.

Session 3: Post-Election Strategies and Engagement | August 27, 2024 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT

Participate in interactive discussions on engaging audiences beyond Election Day. Share insights and strategies for maintaining engagement with users who interact with election products and initiatives.