I've been asking Scripps Howard if they knew how to gauge how many outlets were picking up my column. I got this interesting reply, apparently from my handler there:
There are more than one answer to that question, depending on why the question is asked. But despite the fuzzy math, you could safely say that about 300 newspapers, newsletters and Web sites subscribe to the news service. You might also tell him there is an established pattern when we put new columns on the wire. And that pattern is there is a slow, gradual and fairly predictable growth over the first 9 to 12 months. The smaller newspapers usually commit first, followed by the larger newspapers and, finally, the middle sized newspapers. That usually happens regardless of what type of column it may be. And to help that along, I've begun moving his columns on Fridays, rather than on a time-available schedule, because for a newspaper to commit on a weekly basis, the column must get to them on a predictable schedule. Otherwise, they use it only on a space available basis. And a Friday schedule currently is the one with the least competition and where he likely will get the most looks.
Interesting no? Especially the bit about small, then large, then medium.
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