Survey Says: “An Earnest Approach to Community News”

Bucket List Community News is one of thousands of small publications around the country that are working to disrupt expectations of news. Our audiences are telling us, through research and surveys, that they have less regard for legacy media and national coverage and are putting more trust in local news that strengthens communities. 

Publications like Bucket List do that with great passion but we also need feedback and data to inform our coverage and make sure we are meeting your expectations by leading with valuable journalism. Your response to our annual survey is showing us we are. Here are just a few of the comments we received:    

• I like how hyperlocal the coverage is while still touching on the “bigger picture.” I like the flow and authenticity of the coverage.
• Bucket List news feels more personable, like I’m listening to a friend. It’s a wholesome feeling. I love the variety of topics covered.
• I love the hyperlocal focus. Even things that have been covered in other outlets get a more in-depth and local focus from Bucket List. I also love how community-focused it is. It’s almost like you find the people first, and then the story comes from that versus trying to find someone to tell the narrative you are looking to tell.
• You’re covering topics with “on the ground” perspectives, which I don’t usually get from local news publications. I love the down-to-earth approach to the stories, and the features are highlighting people in our community who are making a difference behind the scenes.
• There’s a level of care/concern with the news from the journalists. I sense they are taking the time to really understand the issue and go a layer deeper than a lot of other local sources.
• I love that it’s local, free journalism that provides different perspectives across Denver!

Although we are encouraged to know we are having an impact, there is always room for improvement, and the answers we received on our survey are helping us understand you so that we keep moving in a better direction together. Here’s what you shared:

• Most of you have been following us for over a year, but lots of you have been following us for less than that, which is encouraging because new people are finding us.   
• Many of you check news during the workday. This gives us more information about when might be the best time to reach you.  
• You engage with newsletters, websites and social media.  The media landscape has changed and we are reaching you where you are.   
• Many engage with the news via their smart phone. We are working to make our mobile site the best possible experience for you.   
• You are asking for community events like panels, community storytelling and neighborhood gatherings. We are starting to work with Denver Inc. and our residential neighborhood organizations to get the pulse of your neighborhoods.  We also collaborate with the journalism ecosystem and our universities to be on the leading edge of innovations in community journalism.       
• You want to know more about arts and culture, retail and businesses and race and social justice. We are already talking among ourselves about how to bring you more of that and have launched a directory to engage our small businesses in community journalism. 
• You’re asking for Investigations and specialized reporting. Our senior reporters, Cassis Tingley, Ryland Scholes and Daianee Galindo, have been doing deeper dives through storytelling and podcasts to shine a light on issues in our area.  
• You’re sharing our stories and visiting places we featured in our Top 5 Guide.  Although we are sunsetting our Top 5 Guide this week, each guide will continue to live on our website. We are launching a 5 Questions series on Sunday, 4/13, so you can get to know your neighbors better. We want to hear from you!  
• 85% of you say we help you learn about your community. Many say if we went away, you’d lose a source of news you can’t get anywhere else. We pride ourselves on bringing you free, trustworthy local news that is unique. Thank you for noticing.
• Most of you would recommend Bucket List to your friends and family. Everything we do is in partnership with the community. By sharing Bucket List and supporting community journalism, you help us make this sustainable.
• Most believe that those who can contribute should contribute, but you want us to be more transparent about our funding needs—they are vast! We are launching our Spring Fundraising Fling in May, where we will once again ask you to help fund this work. We cannot do this without your support.
• Finally, you want us to keep doing what we’re doing! We will. We see ourselves as a change agent in Denver.  If you care about the economy, the climate and growth, you should also care about community journalism that informs and engages you.   

On another note, We also are grateful that many of you recognize our dual mission, to not only provide free, trustworthy local news to our community but also to mentor the next generation of journalists from three universities through internships and apprenticeships. This is our secret sauce and you support this mission as you mentioned in the comments.    

• I also appreciate the apprenticeship model that guides young journalists & others through learning about the various crafts of media.
• I love the youthful lens on the stories and the hope that comes from these stories. I know these are stories I couldn’t find any other place in the city.
• I love that the authors are not necessarily seasoned vets but are people who are in the midst of learning how to become better storytellers and journalists. It’s an earnest approach to community news that I deeply appreciate.

“An earnest approach to community news.” We love that! And we love our Bucket List audience. Thank you for taking our survey. Thank you for reading us every week and asking your friends and neighbors to subscribe. Thank you for sharing your stories, and thank you so much for supporting community journalism with your generous contributions.