The third  Cobb County Courier “Meet the Editor” is going to be held this Friday, Sep. 14, 2018, from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., I’m going to be seated at a table Rev Coffee Roasters at 1680 Spring Rd SE B, Smyrna, GA 30080.  I’m always easy to recognize when you enter the coffee shop because I’m the old guy with the blue blazer and a sign on the table that says “Cobb County Courier.”

I invite you to come with suggestions, questions, or complaints.  I’ve set a high priority on hearing from the Courier’s readers.

The first week I had two visitors, and the second week four. To be honest, even if no one showed up I wouldn’t consider it a catastrophe.  Rev has wifi, so if no one shows, I can sit and work in pleasant surroundings.  But that said, I’d love to have a big crowd.

The paragraphs below are a repeat from the previous two week’s announcements, and will probably be a feature in all these announcements since the purpose of these events isn’t likely to change.

Why am I doing this?

As editor and publisher of the Cobb County Courier, one of my goals is to cultivate a growing readership.

There are several ways to do this.  One is to advertise and promote the Courier heavily, but that’s expensive.  Another is to structure the articles so that search engines find them (aka Search Engine Optimization, or SEO).  We’re doing that, but it’s an impersonal and technical solution to a goal that’s very human.  A third way is to choose topics that encourage readers to regularly return.

But the best way to build an audience, in my opinion, is by regular conversations with readers, to find out what people in Cobb County really want to read about. And the most effective conversations are face-to-face.

So I invite you to visit me for an informal talk.