It is kind of cheesy to make New Year’s resolutions each year, but setting measurable goals is something businesses are known to do. This year, your favorite community newspaper is no different. 

Let’s first take a step back and look at how 2018 treated us. It was a year of change for the newspaper. After being purchased by Patrick Graham in September of 2017, the newspaper went through a lot of growth and change in 2018 to become what you see today. We launched a new design style, switched printer to increase quality, introduced several new products and even cut products that were not meeting the mark. 2018 was a year of figuring things out.

2019 is where we are going to kick it into high-gear. I want you to fasten your seatbelts as this year I have set goals for the newspaper that I am excited for the opportunity to reach. I am not going to get into the nitty-gritty and explain the measurables I have attached to some of the major goals of the newspaper, but I am interested in letting you know what we have in store for you this year. 

1. Build readership across platforms: Some of you may be reading this in the weekend publication of the newspaper. Some of you may have caught it at covnews.com. Wherever you choose to consume your news, I thank you for taking the time to read our work. That being said, you better believe I am going to try my hardest to get you to experience all of our platforms in 2019. If you are an avid online reader, it is my goal to get you with the paper in your hand while you’re enjoying your Sunday morning coffee and if you haven’t seen our website yet, it is my goal to get you to click. 

Every platform we publish to offers its own set of perks. We can provide breaking news updates online that we can’t necessarily do in print all the time. We can tell longer feature stories in the print publication that wouldn’t do as well online. These are the types of things I am excited for you, our reader, to experience in the upcoming year. 

2019 resolutions for The News The Covington News is more than just a newspaper. We publish a handful of annual magazines, multiple special sections and specialty shopper publications as well. It is my goal in 2019 to not only grow these publications by page number but to also improve on the design and content provided in all of them. 

The Covington News is not the only game in town. I am well aware that there are several publications in Newton County we have to compete with every day. I promise you that we are working our hardest to make sure our work is the one you choose and you are able to get the biggest bang for your buck every time you do.

3. Strengthen community relationship: As the community newspaper, it is vital for us to play an active role in the community that supports us. Currently, we have several employees who are active members in civic organizations throughout the community and we take pride in their involvement. We have also participated as sponsors for several community events annually. That being said, I still believe there is always a pocket of the community we are not hitting. It is my goal in 2019 to make sure The Covington News is a household name, not only because it is your favorite community newspaper, but it was also involved in your favorite community event or helped sponsor your favorite community program. 

This community is just as much our home as it is yours and we want to make sure we are doing everything in our power to encourage its growth. 

Are you excited yet? I am looking forward to what 2019 has in store and I can’t wait to see how Newton County continues to grow and change in the coming years. As the community newspaper, we are excited to be along for the ride.

Jackie Gutknecht is the editor and publisher of The Covington News. She can be reached at jgutknecht@covnews.com or 770-728-1409. Twitter: @jackieg1991