The Executive Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN), Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin has said that online journalism is a profitable venture if professionally managed.
Otufodunrin stated this on Thursday during a training programme held for staff of the Inspirati Group in Lekki, Lagos.
According to him, “To profit online, a new online platform needs to know things that existing websites should be doing that they are not doing and do them. Websites must also have a niche and cover it extensively.”
“Websites should have good ratings and following on social media to share regularly and creatively online,” he said.
Participants were also urged to engage their online readers constantly by providing responding to comments and enquiry when it is necessary.”
“There must be constant engagement as a website is meant to be interactive and provide information as brief as possible,” he said.
The Executive Director who also reviewed the technical requirements of online Journalism said websites should not just dump things on social media but have the right content.
“When posting on the site, you must take note of the keywords, tag, put the right picture, share links, Find out what is trending and key into it” he added.
He stressed the need for short video, infographics, pictures and sharing of links which keep online readers on a story, and mostly on the site.
He also told the participants that they need to understand the mission of the organisation they work for and the principles of online services in order to perform their duties maximally.
Online revenue according to Otufodunrin can be earned with good content from direct adverts, payment by web advertising companies like Google, text link, sponsored posts, social media among others.
While noting that writing good content can be a complicated task, he urged writers not to be intimidated.
“Internet publishing is hard work, but it doable, ” he stated.
Report by Esther Olaifa
