The Macon County Times - still kicking and doing fine.

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This morning I was reading about the circulation among the 25 largest newspapers in the nation.

Only the Wall Street Journal posted an increase, and fortunately these numbers apply only to print circulation numbers. I'm relieve we are not following the trends (print circulation is up a bit, and online readership continues to grow at a monthly double-digit rate), but actually are doing quite well.

It's no secret that the the news industry (not just newspapers) are readjusting the way they do things.

Since my arrival in January, 2009, we've done a few things to adapt to the changes.

• We have adopted a web-first reporting policy. It's rare that you'll read something first elsewhere in Macon County now.
• We have implemented the use of slide shows, polls, comments, likes, video and interaction tools online.
• Our facebook page (The Macon County Times) continues its growth and will exceed 1,000 fans/friends any day now.
• We have expanded our services to advertisers to be truly multi-media. We offer print and web solutions that include but are not limited to traditional ads, classified ads, online classified ads, pre-print inserts, banners and button ads, commercials, and much more.

These changes seem simple, but they have required a cultural change in our company - and it's one that is taking place throughout Heartland. Some have not survived the changes, and some won't survive the future changes.

While we're at it, we offer more delivery methods than any other news source in Macon County.

• The traditional print edition. The old standby that has been popular for over 90 years. And with features you won't find online.
• The e-edition - an electronic version of our print edition.
• The web site - web first and with enhancements only available online.
• Headlines via RSS feeds.
• Now, highlights via Facebook.

And there is more to come...more delivery methods, more delivery enhancements and some major content enhancements coming down the pike.

What are you interested in? Is there a delivery method you'd like to see us explore? The door is always open and I'm anxious for your ideas as we work to adapt to the changing media landscape.