My past three columns have covered what readers said about Business Insider in our first readership survey last month. But we also asked you about the Statesman’s daily business section. Some of your responses were striking.
Of the nearly 500 people who responded, 19 in 20 said they always or frequently read the story that we publish atop the section. Nothing else in the survey ranked higher in popularity. The lesson for an editor? Make the best possible use of that storytelling opportunity.
Nearly seven in eight respondents said they always or frequently read the top national and international business headlines in the left column of the business section’s front page — the second most-read category of recurring content. Those are mostly one- or two-sentence stories. The lesson: Quick-hit summaries of breaking news are popular and powerful.
Some readers lamented the reduction in business and other coverage in recent years. Some want the Statesman to provide more local business coverage. Some want more national business news. The lesson: Offer the most high-quality business reporting we can, taking divergent interests into account.
This is my fourth and final column on the survey. If you want additional details, check out the tables on page 5. Thank you to everyone who took part. Your answers will help guide us as we strive to deliver lively and relevant coverage.
dstaats@idahostatesman.com. Twitter: @IDS_DavidStaats
