Everything You Need For Journalism
Our Mini Guide for Leveraging the Power of Journalism In Your Own Community
How to Write An Article
Classic journalism is based on the inverted triangle. Learn the inverted triangle, and you can write your own news updates that are brief, informative, and impactful.
The inverted triangle (or inverted pyramid) approach is a structure designed to deliver the most important information first, followed by supporting details and background. It emerged in the era of telegraph reporting, when stories could be cut off mid-transmission; reporters learned to front-load the facts so readers still got the full story even if the rest was lost. Today, it remains one of the most effective ways to write clear, fast-scanning, and highly shareable news articles.
At the top of the inverted pyramid is the lead (or lede). This opening paragraph answers the core questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. A strong lead gives readers everything they need to understand the news in one or two sentences. For example, instead of teasing the story, it states plainly what happened and why it matters.
Below the lead comes the important details. This section expands on the headline facts: quotes from key people, statistics, official statements, and critical context that helps readers understand the significance of the event. If someone stops reading here, they should still have a solid grasp of the story.
Next comes supporting information. This is where journalists include secondary facts, timelines, reactions, or additional color. These details add depth but aren’t essential to understanding the main news.
At the bottom of the pyramid is background and context. This might include historical information, prior events, or broader trends that frame the story. Editors can cut this section first if space is tight without damaging the core of the article.
To use the inverted pyramid when writing a news article, start by writing your best one-sentence summary of the story. Then ask, “What does the reader need to know next?” and layer information in descending order of importance. This structure makes your writing clear, credible, and perfectly suited for modern readers who skim before they commit.
How to Write A Press Release
Writing an effective press release is about making it easy for journalists to understand, trust, and share your news. Your job is not to hype—it’s to present something newsworthy in a way that fits how reporters already work.
Start with a strong headline that states the news directly. Avoid marketing language. A good headline should read like a newspaper headline, not an ad. Follow it with a subhead that adds clarity or context.
Your opening paragraph is the most important part. Use the inverted pyramid approach: clearly answer who, what, when, where, why, and how in the first one or two sentences. A reporter should be able to understand the entire story just from this paragraph.
Next, expand with key details. Include data, timelines, pricing, partnerships, or anything that proves why this announcement matters. This is where you explain impact, not just activity.
Add quotes from real people involved—founders, executives, customers, or partners. Quotes bring emotion, credibility, and human perspective. They should sound natural and reveal insight, not repeat the headline.
After that, include supporting background: what led to this moment, how it fits into the company’s larger mission, or how it connects to industry trends.
Close with a short boilerplate about the organization: who you are, what you do, and where people can learn more. Keep it tight and factual.
Before sending, check three things:
Is this actually newsworthy?
Can a journalist rewrite this into a story in five minutes?
Are all facts, names, and links accurate?
A great press release doesn’t try to sell—it makes it effortless for the media to tell your story for you.
How to Launch Your Own Online Publication
Launching a new online newspaper has never been more accessible—but doing it well requires a mix of journalism, technology, and smart distribution. The goal isn’t just to publish stories; it’s to build a repeatable system that attracts, engages, and retains readers.
Start with your domain and brand. Choose a short, memorable name that clearly signals local or topical relevance (e.g., SteelCityToday.com or NorthHillsNews.com). Use a registrar like Namecheap, Porkbun, or Google Domains to buy it for $10–$20 per year. If the name you want is taken, try adding “today,” “post,” “news,” or your city. Secure the domain and point it to your web host immediately so no one else can grab it.
Next, build the website. For most startups, WordPress is the best foundation because it’s flexible, inexpensive, and designed for publishing. Use a host like WP Engine, SiteGround, or Cloudways. Install a clean, mobile-friendly news theme (such as Newspaper, Astra, or Blocksy). Set up essential pages: Home, About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and a category structure for News, Politics, Business, Sports, and Opinion. Add Google Analytics and Google Search Console on day one so you can track growth.
Now comes the most important part: content. Publish at least 10–20 articles in your first month to establish credibility. Focus on hyper-local news, breaking stories, community events, and explainers that larger outlets ignore. Use clear headlines, short paragraphs, and fast-loading images.
To get readers, you must distribute aggressively. Create accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Share every story with a short, punchy summary and a link back to your site. Join local Facebook Groups and Reddit communities (like r/pittsburgh or neighborhood groups) and post your stories where allowed. Social platforms are your free traffic engine.
At the same time, build your email newsletter. This is your most valuable asset. Use tools like Substack, MailerLite, Beehiiv, or ConvertKit. Add email signup forms to your website, including a pop-up and a signup box below every article. Offer a daily or weekly local news digest so readers have a reason to subscribe.
Finally, think long-term. Add breaking news alerts, optimize for local SEO, and build relationships with community leaders, schools, nonprofits, and small businesses who can tip you off to stories. Monetization—ads, sponsorships, or paid subscriptions—comes after you’ve built trust and traffic.
An online newspaper succeeds when it becomes part of people’s daily routine. Focus on speed, accuracy, and distribution, and growth will follow.