Over the summer I asked readers to complete a survey to help guide the coverage and direction of East Cobb News, and I was gratified that nearly 100 of you responded.

I’ve been meaning to share some of the results with you, but as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I thought I’d use the occasion to express my gratitude for your readership and your thoughts on this community news service.

First, a little bit of the data:

• 56 percent of you access East Cobb News via our Sunday newsletter, which has been vital to our growth.
• We now have more than 7,300 subscribers, and it’s been the single-biggest tool for expanding an audience that averages around 130,000 page views a month and nearly 70,000 monthly unique visitors.

That latter figure is telling because that’s roughly one-third of our coverage area.

• Another 33 percent read East Cobb News directly from a web search, and 35 percent read on a mobile device.

When I asked what kinds of news readers like about what we provide, here were the top topics:

• 84 percent government news
• 76 percent restaurant/retail/business news
• 72 percent features and community events
• 72 percent crime/public safety
• 68 percent politics
• 54 percent school news
• 54 percent religious news
• 53 percent calendar listings.

Now, for some details on all this, including more of what you would like to see:

“Snapshot of this month’s festivals or major events around Georgia. Restaurant reviews or yelp summary, something curated to highlight top places to try.”

“Positive honoring inspiring stories.”

“I would like to see content reported with less bias. Also I would like to see content that reflects some actual reporting, rather than regurgitation of what some other publication has written/spoken.”

(Wish the last reader above would have specified examples of both of these points. As for the latter, East Cobb News broke or led coverage of East Cobb cityhood, the Tokyo Valentino adult store, the Mt. Bethel Church controversy and other topics that other outlets regularly followed.)

“Letters to editor, screened to provide balance and eliminate vitriol and ranting.”

“Development plans. Activities, classes, activities for seniors, groups to join, charities to contribute to by volunteering or donations. Local small business owners profiles. Environmental groups and developments. Highlight local recreational areas: nature center, parks, bikeways and associated activities.”

“I love what you are doing. I don’t need nor want anything else.”

“Less politics, unless it’s around an election.”

“Less news about Lisa Cupid.”

“If I had one piece of constructive feedback, it appears East Cobb News treads lightly when it comes to the Cobb County School District.”

“Concentrate on being the most authoritative and neutral source of truthful news. Stick to the facts and let the readers draw their opinions from the true facts. Don’t be a cheerleader for the Cobb County Commissioners.”

“Request readers submit stories, news, events they have first hand knowledge and involvement with! One or two interesting overviews! Ex. The day I met Neil Armstrong, my trip and who I met at the Masters!”

“Acknowledge varying points of view. Explain laws and ordinances, teach civics.”

“Perhaps consider a podcast?”

“More original content and photographs, not just repeating stories found in MDJ.”

“I’m glad you exist, MDJ doesn’t cover us and I can’t read their articles anyway.”

“You’ve become more balanced but still comes across as one sided politically.”

“I enjoy and appreciate East Cobb News. Please oh please, just don’t become partisan.”

“Continue to spotlight youth who are active in positive activities, especially helping others.”

“Tired of the biased community news outlets here in East Cobb. Seems the right leaning bullies rule everything here.”

“Appreciate your deep and objective coverage. Thank you.”

There are plenty more responses like this, and I value them all, even when they’re critical. There’s plenty of room for improvement and expanding the editorial product, and I will be taking all of this feedback into account.

The suggestions have been very helpful—a podcast is something I’ve had in mind and am seriously considering—and we’ll soon be publishing reader contributions and bringing on some freelance writers to help cover more news.

One thing that a number of readers in the survey said was that they wanted more stories about local small businesses, and we’ve done some of that recently and will be doing more in the coming weeks and months.

As I tell local business owners and advertisers, and those I’m trying to become advertisers, East Cobb News champions local news AND local businesses. They truly are the backbone of the community, especially because many of them give back to the community in amazing ways.

These were among my objectives when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and over these last two-plus years I’ve seen how much so many of you value what you read at East Cobb News.

That’s one of the silver linings that’s emerged from a very challenging time for all of us, and I’m thankful to all of you for sticking with us, getting in touch, pointing out corrections, providing news tips and suggesting ways to get better.

As I’ve mentioned before, the model I’m following is what another local independent online news publisher I admire calls “community-collaborative journalism.”

After decades in corporate media, I answer these days only to my community—to readers, businesses, organizations, entities and other individuals invested in this place we call home.

It’s been an interesting time in what’s not just a suburban bedroom community any more.

And it’s been an honor to have been able to do this for five and half years, and I’m thankful to all of you for reading and contributing your ideas.

As always, feel free to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Related:

• Editor’s Note: The joys of labor in building for the future
• Editor’s Note: Why we’re keeping reader comments—for now
• Editor’s Note: East Cobb News is Alive at Five and primed for more
• Editor’s Note: Community and the East Cobb Cityhood saga

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