One of the few positive things about the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) crisis is that most of us have more time on our hands at home and on the job.
Having this additional time provides an opportunity to reflect on what is most important to us, and then make changes that will improve our lives personally and professionally.
It has allowed me to step back and reflect on what we do well at The Laker/Lutz News, what we could be doing better, and what new things we could offer our readers and advertisers.
To help us improve our community newspaper, we need your help, and are asking you to complete an online readership survey at www.research.net/r/150911. This survey is just 17 questions, and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. It asks you questions about what kinds of stories are most important to you, has a few demographic questions, and also asks what types of products and services you will be looking for as our economy continues to reopen.
To thank you for taking the time to complete the survey, we are giving away a $100 gift card to Publix, with the winner being randomly chosen in early June. We truly want your suggestions on how we can make our newspaper even more relevant to your life.
Fortunately for our company, Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed newspapers an essential business, and we’ve continued to write stories, deliver the newspaper to your home and help businesses reach our readers through advertisements.
Unlike many publications, we have not cut back on our circulation. We continue to print and deliver 47,395 papers every week in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City. In these communities, we are often the only weekly publication that gives readers pertinent information on how COVID-19 is impacting their lives in north Hillsborough and central and east Pasco counties.
Because there has been so much local news about COVID-19, we have expanded our Facebook presence with timely news that cannot wait until our next issue, and have taken great pleasure in sharing heartwarming stories and videos about neighbors helping neighbors, and letting you know how you can help, too.
It’s been said that newspapers are the original social medium — the glue that holds a community together. We provide credible reporting that you can trust on topics from government to prep sports. Plus, nothing replaces the photos you can cut out and tape to your refrigerator, or slip in an envelope and mail to someone you love.
While it’s true that regional, national and international news is easily found on the Internet, that’s not true when it comes to local news in your neighborhood. While The Laker/Lutz News has a robust website and active Facebook presence, our coverage of your community begins with our printed paper that is delivered every Wednesday to your home.
Please complete our survey so we can do an even better job of serving you.
Published May 20, 2020
