Newspapers have been struggling for some time now, battling dwindling readership, a decline in advertising, and rising costs of printing and distribution. Many newspapers have managed to survive only by moving their content online and reducing home delivery days.
So what can a newspaper like the Morning Journal do to increase subscriptions?
The paper might try what the Lorain Daily News did back in the summer of 1913: hold a contest in which readers compete to sell subscriptions, with the winner receiving a brand new car.
Here’s the front page of the July 12, 1913 Lorain Daily News with the scoop about the contest. Below it is the continuation of the article from the inside pages.
The rules seem a little complicated, but the goal of the contest was to have the most ‘votes.’ Contest participants earned ‘votes’ by contacting their friends, neighbors and relatives to secure both old and new subscriptions to the Lorain Daily News or its sister publication, Lorain Weekly Post. Participants were also awarded bonus ‘votes’ just for entering, and for submitting a ‘club’ of $15 worth of subscriptions.
The prizes were pretty impressive. Besides the big prize of a $1,195 Reo touring car, there was a $350 building lot; a $300 Grand Piano; a $40 Grafanola (a form of phonograph); diamond rings; solid gold watches; and a five percent cash commission.
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