Tell us how we’re doing

How are we doing? It’s a question our newspaper staff hasn’t asked in any meaningful way for many years, so we felt it was about time.

And so, our readers will find on page 6 of this week’s paper (last week, too) a survey that can be accessed via a QR code. And for those without a QR code reader, we have hard copies at our office.

After basic demographic and reading method information, our survey gets down to the basics: How often do you read the paper? What sections of the paper do you most often read – main news, people, opinion, sports, classified and record?

We ask what our readers would like more coverage of and how accurate our reporting is. We also ask what we’re doing well and how we could improve.

Two of the key questions concern the affordability of subscriptions and advertising. The U.S. Postal Service has been jacking up second class mailing rates over the past couple of years – about 20 percent so far -- to the point where we simply have to raise our rates. But how much? The cost of printing has climbed, as well, along with all other aspects of doing business from payroll to utilities.

And so we’re asking: Would you as a reader be willing to pay $1.50 for a copy of the paper? Or $2? Or even $3? The Chronicle has been $1 a copy for 15 years or more. How many other products can you name that have not seen an increase over that period of time?

We have always tried to keep the newspaper as affordable as possible, and we are among the last papers in Wyoming still selling at a buck an issue. Most have gone to $1.50 or $2, a few to $3. But with costs climbing, we have to meet the increases.

We have always maintained that the Lovell Chronicle is your newspaper, that our coverage reflects our community’s interests and activities. And so we want to hear from you, whether you subscribe or buy the paper at a store or vending machine.

So please take the time to respond to our survey. It will take about five minutes. We will take the input to heart.