{"id":1826,"date":"2013-10-19T09:07:01","date_gmt":"2013-10-19T13:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists-org-develop.go-vip.co\/newsroom\/newsroom13\/?p=753"},"modified":"2021-06-22T18:42:41","modified_gmt":"2021-06-22T22:42:41","slug":"think-long-form-journalism-is-dead-think-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists-org-develop.go-vip.co\/newsroom\/2013\/10\/19\/think-long-form-journalism-is-dead-think-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Think long-form journalism is dead? Think again."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"longform\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Long-form journalism was supposed to be dead by now. The Internet, with its rapid news cycle and ad-based layouts, was going to be its executioner.<\/p>\n

With just one quick look around though, you\u2019ll notice: That prophecy never came true.<\/p>\n

In fact, the industry is currently seeing an enormous growth in narrative storytelling. Online-only publications are exploring, creating and revamping long-form channels all over the place. (See: BuzzReads,<\/a> The Verge,<\/a>\u00a0Mashable Spotlight<\/a> etc.)<\/p>\n

Accompanying the rise of these channels are new, long-form friendly platforms like Atavist<\/a>, Medium<\/a> and Epic<\/a>. Oh, and don’t forget curation sites like Longform.org<\/a> and Longreads<\/a>. In-depth web narratives are more digestible and more shareable than they\u2019ve ever been, and the trend doesn\u2019t seem to be slowing down.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s behind the long-form push in the digital medium? I spoke with Mark Armstong, founder of Longreads, to get an answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a huge audience of readers out there craving this kind of storytelling,\u201d he says. \u201cWith phones and tablets, they now always have a reading device available on them to dig into something.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Armstrong, publishers should like longer stories and in-depth narratives because they build credibility with readers and they tend to have very long web lifespans. These pieces also increase a readers\u2019 time on site, and attract talented writers and content creators.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy background is in journalism, and I started out my career as a newspaper reporter, but I came into this world as a reader first,\u201d says Armstrong. \u201cIt’s been amazing to see what this community has turned into after four and a half years.\u201d<\/p>\n

About 1,600 paying members subscribe to Longreads, says Armstrong, and they\u2019re passionate about long-form storytelling, and willing to support its growth and resurgence.<\/p>\n

As a writer, I’m always so excited to be mentioned by @longreads<\/a>, because as a reader, they’re just totally indispensable.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Karina Longworth (@KarinaLongworth) October 18, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While larger publications can experiment with long-form journalism smaller companies often claim they can\u2019t afford the resources.<\/p>\n

\"In-depth<\/a>
In-depth narratives build credibility with readers, says Armstrong.
(photo credit: http:\/\/dorothybrownphotography.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a need to drive page views and report on breaking news of the day with a smaller staff, losing even one reporter to a long-form assignment can dramatically throw off the company\u2019s production schedule.<\/p>\n

Armstrong agrees there\u2019s no easy solution to the economic side of things.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are independent, bootstrapped publishers who are testing out different structures \u2014 like using their editorial budgets to publish one story a week or one story a month rather than paying a writer to crank out hundreds of posts and compete on churn,\u201d he says. \u201cI think it’s important for everyone to keep experimenting and also share what they’ve learned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Increased audience demand could prove enough of an incentive for some smaller publications to give longer narrative storytelling a real shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m excited about what’s happening with independent publishers and online-only publishers who\u2019ve just surfaced in the last several years with a commitment to great storytelling in different forms,\u201d says Armstrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it’s just such a great time right now to be a reader, given everything that’s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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